Sul Ross State University Men's Football

Lee Hays was named head football coach at Sul Ross State on Feb. 15, 2025. Hays comes to Alpine from Lubbock-Cooper High School (2018-24) where he was the offensive line coach and assistant offensive coordinator. Over the last four years, he helped the Pirates to the most wins and play-off games in school history. Hays got his coaching start at Texas A&M Kingsville, 1997-98. He oversaw the tight ends while helping the Javelinas to a 20-5 record, winning the Lone Star Conference title twice and qualifying for the NCAA Division II playoffs both seasons. After a stint as the offensive line coach at West Texas A&M in 1999, he returned to Kingsville as the defensive line coach (2000) and the offensive line coach (2001-02), developing 13 All-LSC selections and winning two additional LSC championships, and an appearance at the national semi-finals in 2002. Hays returned to Canyon as the offensive coordinator from 2003-05 and after winning just seven games in the previous four seasons combined, helped the Buffaloes to a 10-2 record, their first conference championship since 1986 and a first-ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance – their best season in 55 years.  In 2005, his offense led the country in passing with an average of 363.8 yards per game, garnering 23 All-LSC selections including three individual Lone Star Award winners. Hays was hired as the offensive coordinator at Baylor in 2006, when the Bears averaged 23.6 points per game, their best mark since joining the Big 12 in 1996. He made a move to the University of Houston 10 2010, coaching the offensive line, and then to Tarleton State in 2011 as the offensive coordinator. The Texans averaged 32.1 points and nearly 400 offensive yards per game, doubling their win total from the year before. Hays served as the offensive line coach at Texas Tech (2013-16). The Red Raiders ranked amongst the Top 10 in total offense all four years, appeared in two bowl games, had their first 1000-yard rusher since 1999, and signed the highest ranked offensive line class in program history. Hays helped develop seven All-Big 12 selections including LeRaven Clark (two-time All-Big 12 First Team, 2015 Second Team All-American). Hays has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M Kingsville and a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies from West Texas A&M. Originally from Del Rio, Hays and his wife, Roxanne, have two children – Cade and Shanlee.

Dr. Billy Jack Ray enters his eighth season as the offensive line coach at Sul Ross State University in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the program. With a coaching career that spans over two decades, Ray's journey in football has been marked by significant contributions both on the field and in academia. Before joining Sul Ross, Ray served as the tight ends coach at Tarleton State University from 2009 to 2011, where he played a key role in developing the team's offensive strategies. His coaching career also includes a successful tenure as the head coach and defensive coordinator for the San Angelo Stampede Express in the Indoor Football League (IFL) in 2009. Prior to that, he was the offensive line and run game coordinator for various teams in the indoor football circuit, including the Frisco Thunder (IFL, 2008), the Texas Copperheads (AF, 2006-2007) and the Lubbock Gunslingers (NIFL, 2005). Ray's coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in his playing career, which began at the collegiate level with Texas Tech University, where he finished his time as a Red Raider in 1997. He was a two-year starter at Tarleton State University from 1994-1995 before embarking on an eight-year professional playing career in the indoor football league. His professional playing experience includes stints with the Texas Bullets (1997-1998), Bismarck Blaze (1999-2000), and Lubbock Lone Stars (2001-2004). Beyond the gridiron, Dr. Ray is a dedicated educator, serving as the Chair of the Kinesiology department, as well as the Graduate Program Coordinator and an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Sul Ross State University since 2017. His academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a bachelor's degree in kinesiology (2011), a master's degree in kinesiology (2013), and a doctorate in educational leadership (2019), all from Tarleton State University. Dr. Ray and his wife, Jennifer, who is an Associate Professor of Education at Sul Ross, reside in Alpine, Texas. They have two sons, Zeke and Nolan Miller who reside in Stephenville, Texas. His dual commitment to coaching and education makes him a valuable asset to both the athletic and academic communities at Sul Ross State University.

Andy Rivera is in his third year as an assistant coach with Sul Ross State football.  He served as an offensive line assistant coach in 2023, assistant on the defensive line in 2024 and will be back on the offensive line as an assistant in 2025.  Rivera is the Graphic Design and Social Media Coordinator for the program. Rivera played for the Lobos in 2022 before joining the coaching staff.  He will be graduating this fall with a B.S in Kinesiology Exercise Science. A native of Cibolo, Texas, Rivera resides in Alpine.