The fact that Americans love football is far from secret, and any way they can get more of it is usually well accepted.
Following that lead, Raymondville resident Michael Wray is bringing more football to Americans via a unique board game he calls, “You’re the Coach.”
“When people sit down and start playing it, they’re amazed by all the detail put into it,” Wray said. “They always enjoy it and they usually get into it a lot.”
You’re the Coach offers players the chance to “coach” their own teams by choosing offensive and defensive plays and employing strategy unknown to their opponent. The outcome of each play is ultimately determined by the roll of dice.
“One of the best things about the game is it combines a person’s knowledge and strategy with a bit of luck,” Wray said. “That really makes it so people with different levels of knowledge of football can play together.”
The game can be played with two or more players, and it’s even possible to play alone (Wray said he once got beat 35-0 playing by himself). Teams of two can enjoy playing with one as offensive coordinator and the other as defensive coordinator.
“There really aren’t any rules or boundaries for how many people can play,” Wray said. “That’s kind of up to whoever is playing. But it’s not predictable; with the roll of the dice, it’s not always going to go your way. There can be good things or bad things that happen on every roll.”
You’re the Coach features components (such as crowd involvement and explanations of why a play turned out as it did, some of which are pretty humorous) that Wray said add an element missing from electronic games.
“I like to use exciting phrases and things that bring the game to life and help you visualize it in your mind,” he said. “The human mind is a lot stronger than any kind of video game, and no matter what form of electronic format you’re talking about, nothing can compete with a person’s imagination.”
To make You’re the Coach even more realistic, variations can be added that affect play, such as weather conditions, injuries, fatigue and several other factors.
“You’re the Coach” creator Michael Wray, of Raymondville, sits behind components of the game while holding a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about it he has compiled over the years.
“That gives people the option to add things as they become more advanced,” Wray said. “It just adds to the fun.”
The origin of You’re the Coach can be traced back to 1982 when Wray was a 15-year-old eighth-grader and wrote a short story for an assignment.
Wray estimates he has spent more than 30,000 hours working on showing You’re the Coach to people and doing interviews about it. He has also spent countless hours tweaking and improving the game, and believes its current form is ideal to market to the masses.
“Believe me, it has come a long way over the years,” he said.
As a truck driver for about 15 years, Wray racked up about 2.5 million miles and promoted the game every time he had the chance while out on the road. During a 16-year stint in the Navy, he and his sailor friends played You’re the Coach numerous times, both onboard the USS Nassau (LHA 4) and in port.
Wray, a Virginia native, figures more than 1,500 people have played his game, including about 40 football coaches and several influential people in the football realm (including a former NFL executive).
“During every stage of my life, every time I’ve gotten the chance to show it to someone, I do it,” he said.
Wray, 50, said several people and businesses are involved in helping him try to lift his game from a cool concept to a popular source of entertainment, including his business partner Tod Davidson, graphics editor Josh Smith, Sandy Farrar at Scott’s Printing in Rolla, his parents Michael and Sybil Wray and fellow Raymondville residents Farrell and Sara Christeson.
You’re the Coach will soon be available online and sold locally at Cody’s One Stop in Raymondville. Wray has also been in discussions with Dollar General about the idea of a trial run, including demonstrations and customers even getting a chance to play.
A prototype of “You’re the Coach.”
Several years ago, Wray pitched the game to Walmart officials in Bentonville.
“I hope I get the chance to again some day,” he said, “because it’s a million times better than it was then. The graphics are way better now and the excitement level is much, much higher.”
Should Walmart ever bite, Wray envisions a rare scenario involving himself as a truck driver.
“Wouldn’t be great to be a driver and pull into Walmart with a truck full of your own product?” he said. “That would be awesome.”
More about You’re the Coach can be found online at www.yourethecoach.com. The game’s inventor, Michael Wray, can be reached by phone at 417-217-5586 or by email at michaelwray1968@icloud.com. Wray is currently working on setting up a presence on Facebook.