Trent Bray hired as ASU linebackers coach

Former Arizona State University graduate assistant Trent Bray has been named Linebackers Coach for the Sun Devil football team, Head Coach Dennis Erickson announced Tuesday. Defensive Coordinator Craig Bray, whose defense ranked No. 1 in the Pacific-10 Conference last year in total defense (297.6), rush defense (108.6), pass defense (189.0), opponent first downs (15.8) and opponent third-down conversions (29.7), will coach the safeties, with assistance from cornerbacks coach Greg Burns. The Sun Devil defense appeared in three Top 20 categories nationally, including 13th in total defense, 19th in rushing defense and 20th in pass efficiency defense.

Bray will assume the full-time role of coaching the ASU linebackers, a task he is no stranger to as he served as graduate assistant for the linebackers/defense in 2007 and 2008.

Bray enjoyed a stellar playing career at Oregon State University. A member of Dennis Erickson's 2001 signing class, Bray was a standout linebacker for the Beavers from 2002-2005, staring 34 of 49 career games.

As a junior in 2004, he collected 122 tackles and was named Second-Team All-Pacific-10 Conference. He also earned Insight Bowl Defensive MVP honors by making an Oregon State-bowl record 10 tackles in a victory over Notre Dame.

He was selected co-captain of the Beaver football team as a senior, and he backed it up with another terrific season, recording 116 tackles and earning First-Team all-Pac-10 honors.

Bray finished his collegiate career with 337 tackles, the sixth-highest total in Oregon State history, 29.0 tackles for loss and 10.5 quarterback sacks while making 33 consecutive starts over his final three seasons in Corvallis. He then moved on to the National Football League, where he spent time with the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans.

Bray rejoins the Sun Devil football family after spending the past year as an assistant coach (linebackers/quality control) for the California Redwoods of the United Football League.