The Washington Redskins found their new defensive backs coach. Torrian Gray has agreed to take over the job held by Perry Fewell the last two years, a source confirmed to ESPN.
Gray was apparently one of three finalists for the position as the Redskins also interviewed Tim Lewis and Chris Harris. Gray spent last season coaching the secondary at Florida and was in the same role the previous 10 years at Virginia Tech. Gatorcountry.com reported that Gray had interviewed with multiple NFL teams.
Minnesota drafted Gray in the second round in 1997, but he had to retire after the 1999 season because of a knee injury. He coached for two seasons with the Chicago Bears in 2004-05 as an assistant defensive backs coach. He has a good reputation in the industry, known for his energy and was considered a good teacher of technique and fundamentals. He's also considered assertive, yet flexible.
Gray coached current Redskins cornerback Kendall Fuller, a third-round draft choice last spring, at Virginia Tech. Ten Hokies coached by Gray were drafted in the NFL, including Seattle safety Kam Chancellor, corner Brandon Flowers and former Redskins safety Kyshoen Jarrett. Four of those players were drafted between 2014-16.
The Redskins could use more help in the secondary, but have multiple corners under contract who can play with Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, Quinton Dunbar and Fuller. They also have safeties Will Blackmon, Su'a Cravens and Deshazor Everett as holdovers. Corner Greg Toler and safeties Donte Whitner and Duke Ihenacho are free agents.
