Former Stanford All-American running back Ray Handley, who went on to be a head coach in the NFL, has died. He was 81.
Handley starred for the Cardinal in the 1960s, earning first-team All-American honors in 1964 when he rushed for 936 yards.
A member of the Stanford Hall of Fame, he got into coaching after his college career rather than pursuing playing in the NFL.
Ray Handley worked his way up to being the head coach of the New York Giants during the 1991 and 1992 seasons. New York went 14-18 across those two years.
Prior to serving as the head coach of the Giants, Handley was a key assistant under Bill Parcells for seven seasons, helping New York win a pair of Super Bowls.
In addition to coaching in the NFL, Handley was also an assistant coach at Stanford, Army and Air Force.
After being fired as the head coach of the [Giants](https://www.pennlive.com/topic/new-york-giants/) in 1992, he never coached again.
Rob Handley, who is Ray’s nephew, [posted on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=ray%20handley&origin=SWITCH_SEARCH_VERTICAL) about his uncle.
“Ray Handley’s life was defined by intensity, by ambition, by competition, and an unwavering connection to the game of football,” Rob said. “While his personal journey was complex, his professional impact remains firmly woven into the fabric of American football history.
“He is remembered for his contributions to the sport, his role in a historic coaching era, and the lasting imprint he left on his family, the programs, and players he helped shape. Rest in peace, Uncle Ray.”