JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former University of Florida coach and athletic director Ray Graves passed away at his Clearwater home Friday at age 96.
Graves was the head coach of the Gators from 1960 through 1969. In that time Graves accumulated a record of 70-31-4. He coached 1966 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier, who said in a statement that Graves was an important figure in his life.
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"After my mother and dad, Coach Graves had the biggest influence on my life. I am so thankful for him. I had a chance yesterday to tell him I love him and I sincerely thank him for the influence he had on me."
Graves was the athletic director at UF for 20 years. Current athletic Director Jeremy Foley says that his influence is still seen today on campus.
"We are truly saddened to hear of the passing of Ray Graves," Foley. "You can't put into words what he has meant to the Gator Nation and the countless lives he has touched from his players, coaches, friends and family. Like many others I was fortunate to have a personal relationship with him and will be forever grateful for our time together. God bless him and his family."
Graves is a member of the UF Athletics Hall of Fame and in 1990 was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.