Leader & Educator.  Prior to Coach Ray focusing on RPA full time, Coach Ray became a noteworthy leader at Cornerstone Christian School where held the position of Dean of Students while also working CCS's Athletic Department, Cornerstone Youth Sports, and as a volunteer for Cornerstone Church.  

 

While serving at CCS Secondary School, Coach Ray was responsible for the academic progress of all secondary CCS students.  While holding these leadership positions at CCS, Coach Ray promoted high attendance rates, prioritized school security, safety and violence prevention on campus.  Additionally, Coach was responsible for supporting teaching staff by identifying students with attendance issues or disciplinary problems.   Coach Ray would partnering with with parents, students and educators to develop and implement classroom management programs that produced decreased absenteeism, improved behavior,  higher learning retention rates and overall positive outcomes for all stakeholders involved.

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Record Setter.  Coach Ray attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) formerly known as Northeast Louisiana University (NLU) from 1992-1997. He was a three-starter, finishing his career with some big wins versus top Division-1 programs like University of Kentucky, Mississippi State, and University of Central Florida. He threw a school record 52 TDs while attending ULM. He graduated from Southwood High School in 1992 located in Shreveport, La. 

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Professional Football.  During his playing career in the Arena Football League as a professional quarterback, Coach Ray played for five teams leading them all to the playoffs. He played for the Albany Firebirds (2000), Indiana Firebirds (2001-2003), Chicago Rush (2004-2005), Kansas City Brigade (2006-2007), Cleveland Gladiators (2008), and Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (2010) leading four of the five teams to the American Conference championship games in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008. Coach Ray holds the record for the highest career TD-to-INT ratio in AFL history and threw for over 500 touchdowns in his career.   Prior to his Arena Football career, he played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1997-1998) of the Canadian Football League. 

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Coach. Coach Ray held the Wide Receiver Coaching position at Calvary Baptist Academy (2008-2010) in Shreveport, LA. He served as the Offensive Coordinator Coach for the Jacksonville Sharks (2015-2016), served as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Coach for the San Antonio Talons (2012-2014), and Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Coach for the New Orleans Voodoo (2011). All three teams played in the Arena Football League (AFL).

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Husband & Father.  Raymond has been married to his wife, Christine Philyaw, for  15 years and they have a son, Lincoln Philyaw. The Philyaw's have called San Antonio home for 10 years. 

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RPA Owner & Head Coach.  Coach Ray has always enjoyed playing and coaching football   In 2018, he opened Raymond Philyaw Academy.  Coach Ray pursued RPA part-time in his spare time while holding the positions of Athletic Director and Dean of Students for Cornerstone Christian School Secondary School.  In 2022, Coach Ray finally took the leap and is now focusing full-time as RPA's Owner and Head Coach. 

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Servant Leader.  Another big leap included Coach Ray founding the Philyaw Youth Football Foundation, a foundation with the objective to invest in the next generation of young, talented student athletes by making athletic coaching, mentorship and university exposure and rapport building accessible and part of increasing the probability of success for PYFF student athletes.  With a heavy emphasis placed on the total athlete, each qualified PYFF student-athlete is provided opportunities to mature athletically, physically, academically and emotionally---skills and attributes intended to be used on and off the field.  PYFF financially supports qualifying student athletes to fully participate in board approved football programs throughout Texas and the nation.   PYFF submitted an IRS 501c3 application in February 2022 and are looking forward to carrying out PYFF's worthy mission starting right here in San Antonio, Texas!