“You’re the Coach: 2nd Edition”

By Shari Harris, Publisher

Raymondville resident Michael Wray, Jr., drives his “You’re the Coach” rig across the country as an over-the-road trucker and spends his spare time creating, selling and improving his own football board game, “You’re the Coach.”

His “Ultimate Football Board Game” was featured in an article in The Licking News in September 2021, and he promised then he would return and update us on the progress of his game. Now he’s back with a new, improved, second edition version of his game.

Football fans spent the weekend watching NFL divisional playoff games and seeing the number of teams reduced to four, and Monday featured the 2024-25 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Football fever is at a high point, and Wray encourages those who are serious about the game to not just be arm-chair quarterbacks, but join in the decision making and play calling with “You’re the Coach: The Ultimate Football Board Game.” His board game can accommodate one to 20 players. Rolls of the dice decide variables like height, weight, class, speed and strength of your team’s players. Evaluation charts give you a power rating for each player. Penalties and injuries, weather conditions, fatigue and the crowd are figured into the game. You can choose offenses and defenses, and try to outmaneuver your opponent. Players can assume roles from Head Coach all the way to cheering fan. The roll of the dice also decides the excitement factor, which can affect the outcome of plays. This multi-layered game captures all the nuances of a live football game.

With his new, second edition game, you’ll see improvements including better clarity of print, offensive plays consolidated to one page for ease of use, an improved scoreboard, and more. His game can be found at Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, The Licking News office and Stratagem Hobbies, in Houston.

Wray continues to promote his game whenever possible. His truck is covered with emblems and photos about “You’re the Coach” and the publications who have supported it.

Wray has had the support of family and football coaches while developing his game. He lives in Raymondville with fiancée Chrissy White. Her son, Cody, and mother, the late Barb Heflin have been big supporters. Wray recalls his mother, Sybil Wray, referred to him as in his own little world when he was working on his game. He credits the work ethic instilled in him by his father, Michael Wray, Sr., with giving him the perseverance to create and continue to improve upon his game.

Numerous coaches have played his game. You’ll see call sheets from Coach Anthony Stone, the author of “Back to the Basics.” Wray also extended special thanks to legendary former Head Coach Mickey Crouch, who coached at Amherst County (Virginia) High School from 1992-2005 and passed away in 2023.

If you think you know football, pick up a copy of “You’re the Coach” and test your skill. It can deepen your understanding of football, and you can adjust the level at which you play to fit your skill level. Some reviewers of the game mentioned the importance of strategy, not just chance in playing the game. The roll of the dice complements that strategy with an element of chance which is present in every live football game. Wray was able to create a competition between the Chiefs and Texans on his board game, and the Chiefs won 30-19 on his game, compared to 23-14 in real life. He did the same with the Ohio State and Notre Dame College Championship game, and Ohio State won 37-17, compared to the actual score of 34-23.

For more information, go to www.yourethecoach.football or the “You’re the Coach” Facebook page. Or if you see Michael Wray Jr. and his trademark rig when he is in the area, ask him about his game. He’ll be sure to answer all your questions.