Ray Haija enters his first season on the Pacific University faculty and as a member of the Pacific football staff. While serving as a defensive coach, Haija will also help with assisting players in developing study skills and preparing for academic success.
Haija serves an assistant professor of sociology in Pacific’s College of Arts & Sciences. Prior to his arrival in Forest Grove, he taught for four years as a sociology major at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. Prior to his teaching career, Haija worked as a professional sports agent in Honolulu, helping place athletes in the NFL, CFL, Euro and Arena football leagues.
No stranger to the Northwest Conference, Haija played one season of football at Pacific Lutheran University where he was a redshirt outside linebacker.
Haija received his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State, his master’s degree from Harvard and his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech.
