Neither the raise nor the title were a surprise. The speculation was weeks old.

But when it became official last month, running backs coach Trooper Taylor had the title he coveted and a 22.7-percent raise, the largest on Tennessee's football staff.

"It means a lot," said UT's newly named assistant head coach for player development. "It shows that people appreciate what you're doing. It makes you feel wanted and needed. Those are all things that anybody would want to be a part of.

"I'd like to become a head coach one day and this is another step that gets me closer to doing that. I appreciate Coach (Phillip) Fulmer for giving me that opportunity."

Taylor's new title won't be about calling plays or creating game plans. His new added focus will be about character development and handling off-the-field issues. Eleven football players have faced legal issues during the past 14 months.

"They're kids just like anybody else's," Taylor said. "They're going to make mistakes. The difference is that they're athletes. At Tennessee or any other high-profile program, they're going to get the limelight. When they score a touchdown, they get the pub. When they get in trouble, they get the pub.

"I look at it no different than I look at my own son. You can't love them in slices. You have to take them just like they are and continue to try to educate them every day so they make good choices and not make poor decisions that will put them in a bad spot. You have high expectations for your kids. For them not to reach those and embarrass the program, that's disappointing."

Taylor, 34, said he already has surveyed other schools to find the best way to help athletes avoid trouble. Once the May evaluation period is complete and recruiting trips slow down, the fact-finding mission will continue.

"If we knew on the front end which kids were going to make mistakes, we wouldn't put them in the program," Taylor said. "From recruiting and being in their home and doing as much background research as we do and they keep making poor decisions, there is not a complete science to that.

"It is going to be something that we are going to make a conscious effort from the top to the bottom to try to change and make sure that we educate them to make better choices."

Taylor said he plans to bring in speakers to address the team in hopes of preventing such issues in the future. With his new title, Taylor will be UT's point man.

"I would be very disappointed if we still had a bunch of incidents (in the future)," he said. "But I would be disappointed if we had one I want to try to reach them all and save them all. If that's realistic; I don't know. But that's what we're going to shoot for as a staff."

Taylor is arguably UT's top recruiter, having played a role in most of the 2005 signees. As he spends the month of May in hotel rooms and airports, he doesn't regret not taking an offer after last season from Texas, a program that relies on in-state talent.

"I probably would have to be divorced to try and leave because my wife and kids really like it here," Taylor said with a laugh. "I don't ever look back. If you do that, you're going backwards. I try to keep my eyes forward and look ahead. I really haven't even thought about it since I made that decision. My family and I are really excited about being here."

Since Taylor has been here, he's had plenty of publicity. Thanks to his early success and quotable nature, Taylor has been UT's most talked-about assistant coach since arriving from Tulane in January 2004.

"When I first got here I was worried about that," Taylor said of possible resentment among his fellow UT coaches. "But that was before I got to know the guys. After being around those guys, they've been nothing but great. I have not had one negative incident."

Defensive coordinator John Chavis was the other big winner when raises were handed out. Chavis received a 25-percent pay hike and the title of associate head coach. Chavis, who has been assistant at UT since 1989, says Taylor's publicity is OK with the rest of coaches.

"I don't think anybody on our team cares about that," Chavis said. "We all realize that the program is bigger than anybody. I couldn't cares less who gets the credit as long as we win and have a winning program.

Some of the most entertaining moments of UT's spring practices came between Taylor and Chavis.

"Chief (Chavis) and I are both very competitive," Taylor said. "He likes those linebackers to win and I like my running backs to win. It makes for great competition between the two of us as far as the players are concerned.

"Chief is great. He likes to win every deal. I don't care if it is a walkthrough. He wants to win Watching Chief be competitive with his guys and how he demands from them reiterates that I'm doing it the right way. I don't have to change that. He's been successful that way and it allows me to be that way and be who I am. I don't have to adjust.

"He could easily say he's trying to show me up. He doesn't. He tries to come back and kick my butt the next play. That makes the team get better."

Said Chavis, "We've been competitive because he's brought some energy to our football team, particularly the offense."

The past year has been a whirlwind for Taylor and culminated with the strongest commendation of his young career, a title that will one day act as a stepping stone.

"It definitely helps," Taylor said. "It gives me added responsibilities. For the resume, assistant head coach lets people interviewing for a head coach know that you've done more things other than just coach a position."

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com.