Iowa State Cyclones football: Defensive line coach Curtis Bray dies at 43

Another death has hit the Iowa State Cyclones family. Curtis Bray, the football team’s defensive line coach, died on Wednesday morning at the age of 43.

Oct 12, 2013; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (21) is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones defensive tackle David Irving (87) in the second half at Jones AT

From the Associated Press:

"Cyclones spokesman Mike Green confirmed Bray’s death to The Associated Press, but said no additional details were immediately available.“Curtis Bray was a dear friend to me and to all he ever came in contact with,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said. “He was a trusted and loyal assistant coach who always put the kids and the team in front of his work. He was as genuine in his approach to relationships, coaching and life as anyone I have ever been associated with. We will miss him dearly.”"

According to Scout’s AllCyclones publisher, Trey Scott, Bray collapsed and died while working out this morning.

Bray has been a coach at six different schools. He worked with Rhoads previously at Pittsburgh as the linebackers coach when the current ISU head coach was a defensive coordinator. Bray took the assistant coaching job with Rhoads when he was hired at ISU.

Bray was a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Panthers and finished his career with 170 tackles. He decided to play closer to home despite being recruited by top schools like Notre Dame and Oklahoma. Earlier in his career, Bray was a USA Today High School All-American in 1987, the first time the award was given to a defensive player.

This is the third loss in the Iowa State family in the past 16 days. Former basketball head coaching legend Johnny Orr died on New Year’s Eve and former football player Jason Berryman died five days ago.