Ray Bridges

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Ray Bridges returns to the sidelines this season as linebackers coach after serving in various athletic capacities at Delta State University since 1967. A well-respected figure in DSU Athletics., Bridges also serves as Asst. AD for Compliance.

As assistant athletic director, Bridges is in charge of coordination of tickets to all athletic events and in charge of all concessions for athletic functions. His duties as compliance coordinator for the NCAA involve making sure the athletic teams for DSU are in conjunction with NCAA rules and regulations.

Bridges pulled double duty from 1990-2000, serving as DSU men’s tennis coach as well as assistant coach/defensive coordinator at Rosedale High School. From 1993-2000, the DSU tennis squad won seven out of eight Western Division titles and won the Gulf South Conference Title in 1994. Bridges also received GSC Coach of the Year honors the same season. While at Rosedale, he led the Eagles to the playoffs in 1998 and 2000.

After a prior coaching stint at Delta State, Bridges returned to the sidelines in 1996-1997 as the defensive line coach, helping the Statesmen to a 6-4 record in 1996, the first winning record in six seasons.

From 1993 to 1995, Bridges took the reigns of defensive coordinator at Cleveland High School where the Wildcats reached the Class 3A playoffs in 1993 and 1995.

In his first stint with the DSU football team, Bridges served from 1987-1992 as an assistant coach. He logged two years as defensive secondary coach and four years as defensive coordinator.

At Holmes Community College, Bridges spent nine seasons with the Eagles from 1978-1986, coaching defensive ends, receivers, defensive backs, and linebackers. He served as defensive coordinator in 1980 and 1981 while winning the MJCAA Championship in 1981.

A 1971 Delta State University graduate, the Hazlehurst, Miss. native was a four-year punter for the Statesmen under head coach Horace McCool. He was also a standout pole-vaulter, setting a school record with a 14-foot-6-inch vault.

Bridges and his wife, Sissy reside in Indianola. Bridges has two daughters, Bethany and Leigh.