DJ Hazelray

Biography

A 12-year coaching veteran with a lion’s share of experience on both the prep and collegiate levels, DJ Hazelray begins his first season at Mercer in 2026-27, as well as his second year alongside head coach Joel Taylor, as the wide receivers coach for the Bears. Hazelray spent the 2025 season in the same role at West Georgia. Hazelray was essential on the sidelines for the Wolves in 2025, crafting a unit that accounted for nearly 192 receiving yards per game and 18 touchdowns. West Georgia registered 200 or more receiving yards six times, including a 308-yard day in a big win over United Athletic Conference foe North Alabama. Four different players amassed 22 or more catches on the season. Prior to trekking to Carrollton, Ga., Hazelray served two seasons (2023-24) as the offensive coordinator at nearby Warner Robins High School and helped pace the Demons to 16 victories and a pair of postseason berths, including a deep run in the state playoffs in 2024. Fourteen players, including six on the offensive side of the ball, from those 2023 and 2024 squads made the transition to the college stage under Hazelray’s mentorship. Hazelray has three other previous stops on the Georgia prep level. He made his Peach State coaching debut as the running backs and tight ends coach at Valdosta High School in 2018 and 2019 and helped guide the Wildcats to a combined 18-8 clip, as well as two appearances in the state quarterfinals. He left another footprint of success at Thomasville High School

Career Path