Jay Valai Named Cornerbacks Coach
Mar 27 | Football
Former All-Big Ten defensive back joins Rutgers coaching staff
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers head football coach Chris Ash has announced that Jay Valai has been hired as the Scarlet Knights' cornerbacks coach. Valai played safety at Wisconsin from 2006-10, where Ash served as defensive backs coach during his senior season.
Valai arrived at Rutgers after spending the 2018 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, serving as defensive quality control and assistant defensive backs coach. He spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons at Georgia as defensive quality control coach, including the Bulldogs' trip to the National Championship.
Following his playing career, Valai opened Grind House Explosive Training, a facility focused on sports-performance training for athletes. During 2011-16, Valai worked with professional athletes from the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), as well as high school student-athletes.
A native of Euless, Texas, Valai was a four-year letterwinner at Wisconsin, earning Second Team All-Big Ten (coaches) honors in 2008 and 2009. He totaled 153 tackles, four forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in 48 career games. He appeared in four bowl games with the Badgers, including winning the 2010 Big Ten Championship and advancing to the Rose Bowl that same season.
Valai and his wife Courtney are the parents to two children; their daughter Jayla and son Jaxon.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
Valai arrived at Rutgers after spending the 2018 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, serving as defensive quality control and assistant defensive backs coach. He spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons at Georgia as defensive quality control coach, including the Bulldogs' trip to the National Championship.
Following his playing career, Valai opened Grind House Explosive Training, a facility focused on sports-performance training for athletes. During 2011-16, Valai worked with professional athletes from the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), as well as high school student-athletes.
A native of Euless, Texas, Valai was a four-year letterwinner at Wisconsin, earning Second Team All-Big Ten (coaches) honors in 2008 and 2009. He totaled 153 tackles, four forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in 48 career games. He appeared in four bowl games with the Badgers, including winning the 2010 Big Ten Championship and advancing to the Rose Bowl that same season.
Valai and his wife Courtney are the parents to two children; their daughter Jayla and son Jaxon.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
Defensive Line Coach Dennis Dottin-Carter - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Tight Ends Coach Scott Vallone - 04/02/26
Thursday, April 02
Defensive Coordinator Travis Johansen - 03/31/26
Tuesday, March 31
