Hakim Gray

Biography

Hakim Gray enters his second season as the defensive line coach after being hired at TU in December 2024. Gray coached J’Dan Burnett to American Conference Second Team honors in 2025. Burnett led the Golden Hurricane in tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (6.5). Defensive lineman Byron Turner Jr. tallied three sacks in against Abilene Christian, becoming the first player since Ben Kopenski (11/18/23) to accomplish this feat in a single game. Gray also coached Joe Hjelle into a career season on the defensive line for TU. He had 46 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks after only having 19 tackles in his first season at Tulsa. Hjelle also had six games with five or more tackles. Gray spent the 2024 season as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach for ETSU. Gray guided Jaylen George to all-conference honors in 2024 at ETSU. The defensive lineman started every game for Gray. George totaled 33 tackles (six for loss) to go with 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and recovered another to go with seven quarterback hurries. His quarterback hurry total led the Bucs. George helped ETSU's defense hold opposing teams to 3.0 yards per carry in 2024, which was the team's lowest mark in a full season since 1984 (2.7). Gray was also on Head Coach Tre Lamb's coaching staff at Gardner-Webb in 2023. In his lone season with Gardner-Webb, Gray helped GWU's defense lead the FCS in tackles for loss per game (8.1) and 17th nationally in rushing defense. He also coached Ty French on his way t