Adams: Always ahead by 7
Taylor plans for future
By JOHN ADAMS
December 29, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. — Tennessee a$$istant head coach Trooper Taylor held an a$$istant’s job at Tulane when he and the rest of the college football world were trying to recruit high school star Adrian Peterson.
After identifying himself and his school over the phone, Taylor got a one-word response: "Who?"
"He had no idea where Tulane was," Taylor said prior to a UT practice for Monday’s Outback Bowl against Penn State.
Peterson later signed with Oklahoma, and Taylor moved on to a more recognizable name on the college football map. But the coach hasn’t forgotten the school that Peterson never knew.
When Tulane coach Chris Scelfo and his staff were fired at the end of last month, Taylor reacted as a distant but caring relative might in the midst of a family crisis. He said he called Scelfo and the a$$istants who once comprised his football family.
"I thought he (Scelfo) was the right guy for the job," said Taylor, who coached at Tulane from 1999-2003. "He’s a Louisiana guy. His dad was a high school coach down there. And it was a tough situation, with the hurricane and all that (in 2005).
"I feel bad for the coaches. But I also know it’s part of the business."
Football is both business and family to Taylor. And that’s why leaving UT would be so difficult. But the departure might be inevitable if he intends on meeting his career goals.
"There’s no question, I’ll be a head coach," said Taylor, who won’t turn 37 until February. "I’ve got a plan for where I’ll be in five years. Sometimes, I have to adjust my goals. Coordinator has got to come next. Then a head coach."
That’s the businessman talking. Now, listen to the family man.
"I truly believe family is where you lay your head," Taylor said. "Coach (Phillip) Fulmer has treated my family well. That’s security."
Taylor has earned that security with his job performance. He has succeeded as both a running back and wide receiver coach in his three years at UT. But his recruiting has overshadowed his work as a position coach.
He hasn’t just recruited good players. He has recruited hard-to-get players from Louisiana, South Florida and Texas while butting heads with the likes of LSU, Miami and Texas on their turf. Given his success, it’s no wonder Texas offered him a job after the 2004 season.
"I get teased all the time because I turned Texas down, and they won a national championship (in 2005)," Taylor said.
Missing out on one national championship has him working for another one.
"I’m not even thinking about looking at another job," he said. "I really think we’re going to win another national championship here. I truly believe that.
"With Coach (David) Cutcliffe in place (as offensive coordinator) and the players we’re recruiting right now along with the last two cla$$es, I feel like we’re close. I really do. ? I’m hoping to get a ring on my finger here."
But the ring isn’t the only thing for a businessman planning his way up the coaching ladder. Unless Cutcliffe leaves for a head-coaching job — and there have been no offers — the next rung is occupied on this ladder. So Taylor might have to find another ladder. That’s where it gets tricky.
Scelfo and any other fired coach can vouch for that.
"I’ve had some calls about jobs, but I’m not going to take any head-coaching job just to take it," Taylor said. "I’m going to take one that’s going to give me an opportunity to be successful.
"A lot of guys will take the first job that’s offered to them as a head coach. I don’t think I have to do that."
He does think he has to be a coordinator before he can become a head coach.
"I don’t think most ADs will hire a coach who hasn’t called any plays or been a coordinator," he said.
That makes his head-coaching goal two moves away. But he’s hardly preoccupied with plotting his career course. Once past Penn State, the Vols will begin the stretch drive in recruiting. Taylor will be leading the charge.
As Taylor talks about recruiting, you can understand why Fulmer wanted to hire him. Both have a talent and pa$$ion for that aspect of college football.
Taylor gets fired up just talking about the challenge of competing against top programs for the best players in their own backyards. He enters the competition brimming with confidence.
"If I’m going to spend time away from my family, I want to go out and get the best," Taylor said. "I don’t ever want to walk into a home and feel like I don’t have an opportunity. I don’t want to walk into a school and feel like I’m down by seven.
"I get off the bus feeling like I’m up by seven."
