The Ray McCartney File: Coaching History: Playing History: McCartney Bio: In 2008, McCartney mentored nose tackle Boo Robinson who earned honorable mention All-ACC honors. Robinson led the Wake Forest defense with five sacks on the season. In addition, the Deacon defense held opponents to just 296.7 yards of total offense, marking just the second time since 1966 that Wake limited its foes to less than 300 yards of total offense per game. In 2007, McCartney's defensive tackles were the first line of defense for a unit that allowed just 109.4 rushing yards per game, the fourth-best mark in Wake Forest history. Only one opposing player was able to rush for 100 yards against the Deacons.
Prior to the 2004 season, the Deacons shifted from a 3-3-5 defensive alignment to a more traditional 4-3. At the same time, McCartney narrowed his focus to tackles after coaching the entire line for three years. The results were a success as the Deacs allowed fewer rushing yards, passing yards and total points than in the previous season despite operating with a youthful d-line. In 2003, McCartney met the challenge of building a new defensive line. With all three starters graduating off the 2002 Seattle Bowl squad, Jerome Nichols emerged as an up-and-coming all-star candidate as a junior, leading Wake Forest in tackles for loss (11). In 2002, Calvin Pace broke the school record for career tackles for loss and was named a first team All-American, WFU's first such honoree in 10 seasons. He was also named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year by The Sporting News. McCartney coached Montique Sharpe to honorable mention all-conference honors in 2002. In 2001, two of McCartney's three starting defensive linemen were named to the All-ACC team -- senior defensive end Nate Bolling and Pace. Seven of the graduates McCartney has coached since coming to Wake Forest have signed NFL contracts. Pace was a first-round draft selection (18th overall pick) of Arizona, Sharpe played for Kansas City, Bolling has spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and in NFL Europe, Nichols signed with Washington and Roderick Stephen was with the St. Louis Rams. McCartney is well-known for his tireless recruiting efforts. Evidence of his work has already been realized, as McCartney has spearheaded the staff's recruiting efforts in the last eight signing classes. Wake's 2004 recruiting class consisted of 14 prospects, 13 of whom became starters during their career at Wake Forest. Of those 14 players, five were eventually drafted by NFL clubs and three others signed as free agents. McCartney helped assemble a class that included Fayetteville's Aaron Curry who would go on to win the Butkus Award and be a first round draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks. Defensive end Jeremy Thompson of Charlotte was a fourth round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers in 2008. McCartney and the Deacons also signed four of the top players out of Florida that year, including Stanley Arnoux of Glades Day High School and a trio of players from Pahokee: D.J. Boldin, Alphonso Smith and Antonio Wilson. Arnoux and Smith were drafted in 2009, while Boldin signed as a free agent. Wake's incoming class of freshmen in 2009 includes running back Michael Campanaro, the Washington Post All-Met Offensive Player of the Year, and Nikita Whitlock, the Texas 5A state Defensive Player of the Year. The Deacons continued to be strong in-state with three North Carolina natives among the 21 players who signed with Wake in February, 2009. Thirteen of the 15 players that Wake Forest signed in 2007 were ranked in the top 100 at their position by scouting services on a national level. The class was rated 55th nationally by ESPN.com, Wake Forest's best class in recent years. McCartney served as Ohio's recruiting coordinator for six seasons and coached the outside linebackers for two years and the defensive line for four. McCartney came to Ohio having previously coached at Ball State (1989-94) and Bowling Green (1985). At BSU, McCartney helped guide the Cardinals to two MAC titles and two bowl appearances. At BGSU, McCartney helped the 1985 Falcons to an undefeated season (11-0), the MAC championship and the California Bowl. McCartney also coached at Wittenberg (OH) University for three years. He helped the Tigers win a conference crown in 1988 and advance to the second round of the Division III national playoffs. McCartney entered the college coaching ranks as a graduate assistant at North Carolina in 1984. In 1981, McCartney began his coaching career at New Bern (NC) High School. From 1981-83, he coached at Randleman (NC) High School for legendary coach Charlie Gregory. McCartney helped lead Randleman to three consecutive state titles. McCartney received a master's degree from UNC in 1985 and a bachelor's degree in 1980 from Guilford College. He lettered at inside linebacker at Guilford. McCartney is a native of Pelham Manor, N.Y. He is married to the former Wendy Torres and they have a son (his stepson), Spencer Van Fleet. |
Wake Forest FootballThe Football Office |
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