Utah State University Athletics

Jray Galea’i (Ngah-lay-ah-ee) is in his first season with Utah State as a junior analyst for the defense and will work primarily with the linebackers. The 2025 campaign will be his third year working for head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Galea’i came to Utah State after spending the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Timpview High School in Provo, Utah. During the 2023 season, he helped the Thunderbirds win the 5A state championship.

Prior to his time at Timpview HS, Galea’i was an assistant coach at Orem (UT) High School from 2020-21, working with the cornerbacks. During his time with the Tigers, he helped the program to the 2020 state championship under head coach Gabe Sewell.

Galea’i played at BYU from 2009-12 and began his coaching career as a student assistant at BYU in 2012 and in 2015.

Galea’i prepped at Kahuku High School in Honolulu and earned first-team All-State honors as a defensive back during his senior season and honorable mention All-State honors as a junior. He played his sophomore season at Timpview HS, as a member of the Thunderbirds 2006 4A state championship team. Galea’i also played basketball at Kahuku HS and was the Defensive MVP of the Oahu Interscholastic Association as a senior and was invited to play in the McDonald’s All-American game.

Galea’i is majoring in integrated studies at Utah State and has an anticipated graduation date of spring of 2026. He is married to Sina Maile, who is the niece of former USU football player and assistant coach Frank Maile.

Galea’i is the nephew of Mark Atuaia, who is the running backs coach at Utah and was at Washington State prior to that in the same role. Atuaia coached under Mendenhall at BYU and Virginia.