Coach 1983 - 2005
Jay Locey is one of the most successful and decorated football coaches in Linfield history. In 23 years as an assistant and head coach on the Wildcat sidelines, he won three national championships, 13 conference titles, five conference coach of the year awards and one national coach of the year honor. He boasts the highest winning percentage of any Linfield head football coach.
During his 10-year career as head coach from 1996 to 2005, he compiled an 84-18 win-loss record (.824 winning percentage), including a streak of 41 consecutive conference victories. Under his leadership, the Wildcats also won a school-record 23 consecutive contests. His leadership took Linfield to six league championships, including five undefeated seasons against conference opponents.
Perhaps Locey’s greatest achievement was leading Linfield to its first NCAA Division III national championship in 2004. The Wildcats defeated Mary-Hardin Baylor 28-21 in the title game to cap off an undefeated season. That year, the team led the nation in passing, total yards and scoring.
Locey’s success did not go unrecognized. He was a five-time NWC Coach of the Year, winning the award in 2000 and consecutively from 2002-05. He was also named the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 2004 by the American Football Coaches Association and Football Gazette. In 2005, “The Oregonian” named him one of the state’s top 25 most influential sports people.
Prior to taking the reins of the Linfield program, Locey served as an assistant coach for 13 seasons under Ad Rutschman and Ed Langsdorf. In this role, he helped the Wildcats capture seven conference titles and two NAIA national championships.
Locey departed Linfield following the 2005 season to become an assistant head coach at Oregon State University, where he coaches receivers.
