Baldwyn football coach has received six state honors and one runner-up finish the past nine years.
Baldwyn High School’s football and golf coach Michael Gray was recently named as a National Coach of the Year Finalist.
The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named Gray and seven other high school coaches in the nation as 2018 finalists. Gray and the other coaches will be recognized at the National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Banquet in Sioux Fall, South Dakota in June. At the banquet, the 2018 NHSACA Coach of the Year will be named in 19 recognized sports categories.
“I am excited to represent Baldwyn and the state of Mississippi by receiving this award. I have truly been blessed to have coached a lot of really good players over the years that really love the game. I am also thankful to our school for allowing us to travel and compete across the state with our golf team,” Coach Gray said.
Coach Gray was nominated for this national honor by the Mississippi High School Athletic Coaches Association in the sport of golf. The selection is based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage. The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using a sport-specific rubrics to assign points in each category. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association in the oldest coaches association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has been recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978.
Coach Gray has been teaching and coaching at Baldwyn School District for 24 years. He has served as the Bearcat head football coach for nine years and the Bearcat golf coach for 13 years. Coach has led the Bearcat football team to one 2A state championship and led the Bearcat golf team to six 2A state championships. The BHS golf team has also won nine Region 1-2A titles.
“Being named a finalist as a National Coach of the Year is a very well-deserving title for Coach Gray. We are proud to have him represent our school and community and appreciate his many efforts to improve the overall success of not just our athletes but our students as a whole as well,” Superintendent Jason McKay said.
