Ray Rice is back in football, this time as the junior varsity head coach at Milford Mill Academy in Maryland. The former Baltimore Ravens running back, who won a Super Bowl with the team in 2012, has spent the past decade working to rebuild his reputation after his NFL career came to an abrupt and controversial end in 2014.
Now, he’s stepping into a completely new role where he can give back to the game that shaped him. Milford Mill, one of Maryland’s top high school football programs, made the announcement he'd be joining the staff:
Welcome To The Staff, Ray Rice! #MillerPride pic.twitter.com/B52VEP0Vrv
— Milford Mill Millers (@WearemilfordFB) January 31, 2025
The move is the latest step in Rice’s ongoing commitment to mentorship and community work. Over the past couple of years, he has been involved with domestic violence awareness programs and coached youth football in the Baltimore area, including the Pikesville Wildcats—where his son played football. Now, he’s making the jump to high school football, working with young athletes at a school that knows a thing or two about winning games.
Milford Mill head coach Reggie White spoke highly of Rice’s decision to take the job, emphasizing that it was about more than just football:
"He’s a public school-raised kid who went to a public school, and that’s what he wants to do — give back to a public school," White told the Baltimore Sun. “It’s just about the time, effort and energy and he wants to put it into public school. It just happened that Milford was the right choice for him."
Ray Rice starting football coaching career in Maryland
Rice’s name will forever be attached to the domestic violence incident that ended his career, but he has spent the last decade working to change the narrative. He has been a speaker for NFL and college teams about accountability and second chances, all while staying involved in football at the very ground level. Coaching at Milford Mill is another step in his journey back.
From a football standpoint, Rice brings plenty of experience. He played six seasons in the NFL, racking up over 6,000 rushing yards, making three Pro Bowls, and winning a Super Bowl.
His ability to mentor young running backs and teach them the nuances of the game could be a major asset for Milford Mill’s program. The Millers have been one of the top teams in Maryland’s Class 2A, winning a state title in 2022 and making deep playoff runs in recent years.
Rice has repeatedly stated his focus is on giving back and helping young athletes both on and off the field. His hiring is bound to generate discussion, but for those who have followed his journey, it’s clear he’s doing everything he can to use his past to make a positive impact. Now, he gets to continue that work at Milford Mill.