Jackson, Mississippi, native Emmanuel McCray began his football career as an offensive lineman at Forest Hill High School. His dominance led to several D1 scholarship offers, but his ultimate commitment was with the University of Mississippi in 2009. With his intellectual, aggressive, and flexible athletic ability, McCray became a dynamic cornerstone figure on the offensive line during his tenure at Ole Miss. Playing in a total of 38 games, McCray displayed a level of proficiency on the field for the 20 games he played as a starter; these skills proved headline-worthy. While a senior tackle in college, he was named captain of the offensive team and was part of an offensive line that blocked for two of the best offenses in the school’s history. He played both tackle and guard, which led to back-to-back bowl wins as well as the football program’s resurgence. In 2013, McCray earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science.
After winning the BBVA Compass Bowl and Music City Bowl with teammates, McCray was selected to compete in the 2014 Medal of Honor Bowl, a post-collegiate all-star game that takes place in Charleston, South Carolina. When the 2014 Draft season arrived, Emmanuel was picked up by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent but was later traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a short stint in the NFL, McCray returned home where he served as a Graduate Assistant Offensive Line Coach under two former head coaches for Ole Miss, Hugh Freeze and Matt Luke. As the foundation for his coaching career formed at his alma mater, McCray coached and mentored Laremy Tunsil, the 2016 NFL first-round draft pick for the Miami Dolphins. By the time McCray was entering his second season as a graduate assistant, he had helped lead the team to numerous outstanding wins plus record-breaking SEC passing yards and total offense. He concluded his graduate education with his master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications.
The young coach later went on to become the Offensive Lineman coach for Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi. There, the coach recruited and refined an entire class of athletes with a drive for elevation. He coached an offensive unit that averaged 410 total yards, 176 rushing yards, and 5.6 yards per carry. He helped seven linemen get signed to four-year programs and coached a JUCO All-American in the process. After two impressive years with ICC, McCray accepted an offer to become Coahoma's new Offensive Line Coach for the 2020 season. With much vigor, McCray is eager to put some of the new guys to the test to not only prove himself, but also to mentor and push the team to grow into the best in Mississippi’s junior college ranks. With a solid drive to dynamically compete, McCray is sure to motivate his guys to do the necessary work, maintain discipline, and walk in the path of dominance come game time.
