Vols' staff is lucky to have a real Trooper

The Tennessee running backs coach has had a breakout season. With one game left, Cedric Houston is just 57 yards shy of giving UT two 1,000-yard backs for the first time in school history. Gerald Riggs has 1,005.

"When I came to Tennessee, people said I was a receivers coach that was coaching running backs and were questioning Phil's (Fulmer) hire," said Taylor, a native of Cuero, Texas. "Coaching is about knowing players, relating to players, and making sure that they're good on alignment and assignment.

"I love challenges and trying to meet the goals that I set. That was one of them, telling the naysayers that we could get it done."

Taylor's work in recruiting also merits praise. He has helped the Vols secure three commitments. That number could double before signing day in February, considering UT's relationship with the prospects he is working with.

Often times, Taylor has been the coach UT deemed necessary when a prospect needed an extra nudge towards Knoxville. His enthusiasm can be contagious.

Taylor's first year at UT hasn't gone unnoticed. Taylor said Illinois and North Carolina State have expressed interest in luring the Baylor graduate. Fulmer said he has yet to be contacted officially by other programs.

"That happens every year," Taylor said. "I've never been at a job where I didn't have a job offered to me by the end of the season. If people don't want you, then you don't have the right guys on the staff.

"When you find a good spot, especially with all the changes that are happening, it's important for my family to be stable. Tennessee is a place you shoot to get to. It's in that upper echelon. The schools that have contacted me are not in that level."

Said Fulmer: "Trooper will be a fantastic head coach one day. He is obviously very personable, very enthusiastic, very organized, and really relates to people well."

As Taylor told Fulmer during the interview process, his goal is to be a head coach. Still, Taylor has found Knoxville to his liking.

"It starts at the top with Coach Fulmer," Taylor said. "Family is important to him and that allows it to be important to me. He's always checking on our wives. When Mama's happy, everybody's happy."

Taylor's family is never far. Taylor's two children, Starr and Blaise, are regulars at practice, in the athletic complex, and on the sideline.

It would be easy for fellow coaches to resent Taylor. The new kid on the block has been a fan favorite and media darling since spring practice. Taylor said he hasn't felt any resentment from his superiors.

"He doesn't try to hide anything or feel like I'm trying to take his job," Taylor said of offensive coordinator Randy Sanders. "That makes things easier for me because I know they're trying to help me become a head coach.

"I see myself hopefully being here for four years or more with the addition of some titles and being able to be closer to becoming a head coach."

"I take a job like it's the last job I'm going to take. When you go to a place, you want to make it home. I try to make sure that a coaching staff feels like they can't be successful without you. I try to bring something to the table. Hopefully, what I bring is important to them."

Taylor is often referred to as the "hot" coach on Tennessee's staff because of his success this season. It's a moniker that gives him a chuckle.

"It's funny to me," Taylor said. "I don't know what 'hot' means. I had the same thing said about me when I was at Baylor, Tulane, and New Mexico. I just try to be myself."

Taylor is aiming for a fairytale ending to his storybook season. Participating in the Cotton Bowl alone has been a lifelong goal. A win Saturday against Texas A&M would make the trip that much more special.

"It feels good to be back home. It's been really nice," Taylor said. "I played at Baylor and always wanted to get to the Cotton Bowl but couldn't do it. To do it as a Vol is special. It's been exciting to me because I played college football down the road."

Taylor said he will shell out $75 per ticket for 32 friends and family, a welcome expense.

"It will be like a reunion down here on game day," Taylor said.