Tayler Gray has been named McNeese volleyball head coach, Vice President and Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer announced the hiring on Wednesday.
 
Gray, a former Sam Houston assistant coach spent two stints with the Bearkats following a short stint as assistant coach at UT-Arlington. 
 
"When searching for someone to take the reins of our volleyball program, it was important to me to find an energetic coach who recruits tenaciously, is a fierce competitor and is passionate about developing athletes both on and off the court" said Schroyer.
 
"Coach Gray checks every box. We're thrilled to welcome her to our university, and I can't wait to see the mark she'll make on this program and within our community."
 
Gray has spent a total of 16 years at Sam Houston, both as a student-athlete and a member of the coaching staff.  She has also served as a Health and Kinesiology adjunct professor since 2014.
 
"First and foremost, I give all glory to God for this incredible opportunity," said Gray.  "I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Athletic Director Heath Schroyer, Senior Woman Administrator Bridget Martin, and the entire hiring committee for their trust and belief in my vision to lead the McNeese Volleyball program.
 
"I am thrilled to be returning to the Southland Conference and am beyond excited to get to work building something special at McNeese. Lastly, I want to thank my family for their unwavering love, support, and belief in me throughout this journey."
 
From 2014-2020, she was a member of a Sam Houston staff that accumulated 87 SLC wins, several all-conference selections, 10 student-athletes were named to the All-Academic Team, two Student-Athletes of the Year and over 25 Player of the Week honors. 
 
In 2019 Sam Houston advanced to the second round of the NIVC and in 2020 advanced to the WAC Championship.
 
The dual-sport athlete was a member of the volleyball team from 2010-13 and the softball team from 2011-14.  Gray was a member of the 2012 Southland Conference Volleyball Championship team, a two-time all-SLC performer on the volleyball court where she earned All-SLC first team honors in 2012 and second team honors in 2013.  She was named team MVP in 2012 and 2013 and was selected Sam Houston's Female Athlete of the Year in 2013.
 
In the classroom, Gray was twice named to the SLC All-Academic team (2012, 2013) and served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee both those years.
 
She concluded her volleyball playing career with 2,352 assists, where she still ranks in the Top 10 at Sam Houston.
 
Gray also spent one season (2018-2019) as an assistant coach at UT-Arlington before returning to Sam Houston.
 
Gray also has experience on the national level, serving as assistant coach for the 2024 USAV All-Star Championship (17U Team).
 
Gray graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (2013) along with two master's degrees, Master of Arts in Health (2015) and a Master of Business Administration (2020), all from Sam Houston.
 
COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE
2014-2025       Assistant Coach, Sam Houston
2018-2019       Assistant Coach, UT-Arlington
 
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2010-2013       Sam Houston (VB)
2011-2014       Sam Houston (SB)
 
HONORS
2013                All-SLC (1^st team/VB)
2012                All-SLC (2^nd team/VB)
 
EDUCATION
2020               Master of Business Administration (Sam Houston)
2015                Master of Arts in Health (Sam Houston)
2013                Bachelor of Science in Public Health/Minor in Psychology (Sam Houston)