After losing their offensive line coach to an opportunity in the MAC, sources tell FootballScoop Howard (FCS) is bringing in a former SEC staffer who also has ties to the Big Ten.
Arthur Ray Jr., who previously served in an offensive analyst role at Arkansas a few years ago, is being added to the staff as the Bison's new offensive line coach.
Ray, a former offensive lineman at Michigan State during the Mark Dantonio era, spent the past year or so privately training offensive lineman in the Chicagoland area.
Before leaving for the SEC, he was the offensive line coach / recruiting coordinator at Northwood (D-II - MI).
The opportunity on the field at Howard is just the latest chapter in an inspiring story for Ray. Back in 2007, just before signing with Michigan State as one of the top recruits in the midwest, he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his leg and was told he likely wouldn't be able to play again.
After chemo treatments and surgery to remove the tumor near his calf, his adversity-filled journey at Michigan State culminated in a special moment years later in 2011 where his persistence with the Spartans paid off. He got an opportunity to start against Youngstown State and played just one snap, filling in for All Big Ten selection Joel Foreman, but it was an incredibly inspiring moment that many thought would never happen. Big Ten Network ran a story on the touching moment then.
At Howard, he steps in for Brandon Torrey, who left for an opportunity to coach the tackles and tight ends on Jim McElwain's staff at Central Michigan.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.