Ray Gates

Biography

Ray Gates was hired as the defensive line coach at North Texas in December of 2025. Gates joins the UNT staff after a stellar four-year stint as the head coach at North Crowley High School. In his time there, Gates turned North Crowley into a national power as he led the Panthers to the 6A Division I state title in 2024 with an unbeaten 16-0 record. He was named the 2024 MaxPreps National Coach of the Year and was named to the DCTF 40 Under 40 Coaches to Watch in 2022. He posted an overall record of 54-4 in four seasons, with a regional semifinal appearance in 2022, a state semifinal appearance in 2023 and a regional final appearance in 2025 to go along with his state title. North Crowley won 39 of 40 regular season games in Gates’ tenure. Following his historic 2024 season, Gates first full class of seniors at North Crowley produced nine Division I football signees, including current UNT QB Chris Jimmerson Jr. The 2024 signing class for North Crowley also featured signees at Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma State, Washington State, UNLV and Yale. Prior to his time with North Crowley, Gates was the defensive coordinator at Cedar Hill High School in 2021 and worked with the program in multiple roles. In total, he worked at Cedar Hill for six seasons from 2017-22 where he helped the Longhorns advance to the state playoffs four times, including being the runner-up in the 6A State Championship game in 2020. A true Texas High School football veteran, Gates has spent time

Career Path