STANFORD, Calif. – Former Princeton associate head coach Sean Gray has been named assistant coach for the Stanford wrestling program, as announced by Chris Ayres, The Matt Gentry Head Wrestling Coach.
"Sean Gray will be an amazing addition to The Farm," said Ayres. "Sean and I have a lot of history together having wrestled at Blair Academy, and most recently working together at Princeton for 12 years rebuilding the wrestling program.
"During our time at Princeton we worked in lockstep on every aspect of creating an environment where wrestlers could place and win at the national tournament, and I know our combined efforts here at Stanford will have an immediate impact on the program."
Gray comes to The Farm after spending 12 seasons on Ayres' staff at Princeton. Instrumental in the revitalization of the Tigers' program, he helped lead Princeton to the 2020 Ivy League title (its first since 1986) and helped coach Patrick Glory to an individual national title in 2023 – just the second in school history and first since 1951.
"Stanford is by far the best athletics department in the country and there is no reason we cannot compete for a national championship in wrestling," added Ayres. "Sean will, no doubt, be instrumental in getting us there. He brings a ton of Division I experience to Stanford and I cannot imagine anyone else better to bring here to round out one of the best coaching staffs in the country."
With Gray's guidance, Glory's run helped Princeton place 13th at the 2023 NCAA Championships in Tulsa – its best team finish since 1951. Glory became the first Hodge finalist in school history, earning the distinction in 2020 and 2023.
In 2022, Gray assisted in coaching Glory and Quincy Monday to the NCAA finals in Detroit - Princeton's first finalists since 2002, and the first time the Tigers had two NCAA finalists in the same season in school history.
In 2019, Princeton placed 15th at the NCAA Championships in Pittsburgh, and had a program-record three All-Americans, including current Cardinal assistant coach Patrick Brucki (4th). The Tigers sent a program-record seven wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in 2017.
Gray was in the corner for one of the most pivotal moments in Princeton wrestling history, when Brett Harner won by fall in the blood round of the 2016 NCAA Championships in Madison Square Garden, ending a 13-year drought of All-Americans for the Tigers. Princeton has had at least one All-American each year since, when the NCAA Championships have been held.
"Chris Ayres is an amazing leader, mentor and friend. We worked closely the last 12 years building winning systems of proven success at the highest levels," said Gray. "I can't wait to see what we do next with the incredible support and tradition that is Stanford Wrestling."
Prior to his time at Princeton, Gray spent seven seasons on staff at Boston University. He helped the program qualify six wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in his last two seasons, and turned in its best NCAA finish since 1997. Gray worked with all phases of the BU program, including recruiting, scheduling, fund-raising, travel planning. After six years as the assistant coach, he was promoted to associate head coach during the 2010-11 season.
Gray had a standout undergraduate career at Virginia Tech, finishing as the program's all-time leader in wins (133), winning percentage (.850), pins (45), and pins in a single season (15). The 1998 CAA Rookie of the Year, Gray placed sixth at NCAAs as a junior and seventh as a sophomore.
Gray was a three-time Eastern Wrestling League champion, and finished his collegiate career undefeated in conference dual-meet competition. He was inducted into the EWL Hall of Fame in 2007, and he was inducted into the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame during the fall of 2015.
Gray was also recognized for his work in the classroom, as he earned the Virginia Tech Wrestling Academic Achievement Award after posting a 4.0 grade point average as a senior. The Blacksburg (Va.) Sports Club named Gray the Outstanding Male Athlete at Virginia Tech for 2001.
Gray's wrestling accolades started in high school, where he was a three-time Prep National Champion for Blair Academy in New Jersey. He was also the first person in New Jersey history to win a Cadet Freestyle National Championship.
A 2001 graduate of Virginia Tech, Gray earned a Master's of Education with a specialization in physical education and coaching from Boston University in 2010. He and his wife, Jessica, have a daughter, Makayla, and a son, Eddie.
"The Ayres effect is already happening in Palo Alto along with Ryan and Pat, and I'm excited to hit the ground sprinting," added Gray. "I want to also thank my wife Jessica and kids, Makayla and Eddie, for supporting this incredible opportunity to head west! GO CARD!"