Josh Ward audio clips
Trooper Taylor said he never felt like a serious candidate to be Tennessee’s next offensive coordinator.
Poor timing, Taylor claimed, was why he decided it was best to resign his position as receivers coach and accept the co-offensive coordinator position at Oklahoma State on Wednesday.
Taylor said he saw no imminent decision from UT coach Phillip Fulmer as the Vols look to replace David Cutcliffe, who resigned last week to become head coach at Duke.
“The timing just didn’t work out for me,” Taylor said. “Now, would I have liked for him (Fulmer) to feel that I could have done it here? Yeah.
“But Phillip’s going to always meticulously go through all the searches to make sure he’s got the best staff together because Tennessee’s home for him.”
Knoxville will no longer be home for Taylor. After four years with the Vols, he’s leaving for Stillwater for a big raise — his UT salary was $175,000 — and the promise to call plays.
“It basically came down to me trying to improve myself,” Taylor said. “I will be able to call plays. That was one of the things we talked about. That made the decision easier.”
Taylor, who has also coached at New Mexico and Tulane, maintains that he didn’t demand Fulmer to promote him to offensive coordinator.
“I didn’t go to Phillip and tell him to give me a title of any sort,” the 37-year-old Taylor said.
Taylor had already obtained one of those. Assistant Head Coach for Player Development was added to his business card after the 2004 season when Texas came calling to hire Taylor away from the Vols. Taylor also pulled his name out of Howard’s head coaching search last January.
Baylor appeared to be the destination for Taylor when he interviewed at his alma mater Sunday. Baylor quickly offered Taylor a co-coordinator position and the opportunity to return home. Taylor was married on the Bears’ football field and both of his children were born in Waco.
Then, Oklahoma State swooped in, offering Taylor a co-coordinator position on Tuesday. A deal was struck on Wednesday.
“I had a friend in this business who called and said, ‘You know Trooper is out there,’ ” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy told The Oklahoman. “I really hadn’t even thought about it because I wasn’t going to do this until after the bowl.”
Gundy and Taylor coached together at Baylor in 1996.
“I had already experienced being at Baylor before. I wanted to see something different and meet new people and expand the resume,” Taylor said.
Although it never read on Taylor’s resume, he is widely thought of as UT’s top recruiter, having been named to Rivals.com Top 25 recruiters two of the last three years.
“It never takes one person to recruit,” Taylor said. “It takes a whole staff to get it done. I don’t see Tennessee falling off. Obviously, the timing of all this is bad and I feel bad about that.”
National Signing Day is Feb. 6. UT has 12 commitments and is expected to sign about 20-24 players. Taylor said UT doesn’t have to worry that he’ll try to pull UT prospects to Oklahoma State.
“That’s not going to happen,” he said. “One thing I will never do is step on my morals and my values. If they (OSU) expect me to do that, then they’ve hired the wrong guy.”
Taylor, who will coach the Vols through their Jan. 1 Outback Bowl against Wisconsin, said he’d refuse to even travel to visit prospects he recruited at UT. Taylor said he’d only speak to such recruits if they were previously recruited by Oklahoma State.
According to UT athletic director Mike Hamilton there’s nothing contractually that would prevent Taylor from trying to turn Vol prospects into Cowboys.
“I think coaches have to decide the ethics of a such a question unless given specific instructions to the contrary by our coach,” Hamilton said in an e-mail Wednesday night.
Hamilton also said that Taylor will not be subject to any financial penalties for leaving UT. Assistant coaches’ contracts stipulate that leaving for a lateral move will result in a six-month loss in pay. Taylor’s move from position coach to coordinator is not considered such a move.
“They offered him a heck of an opportunity at Oklahoma State to be a coordinator, a significant amount of money,” Fulmer said. “… It’s a positive thing. We have people that people want.
“Trooper did a great job for us. I love him to death, his family and everybody concerned. We wish him nothing but great things.”
Taylor, in turn, seemed empathetic to Fulmer’s plight.
“I think it’s taken a toll on him some,” Taylor said of the recent coaching changes, “because it is a big hire for him.”
Taylor, who became emotional when he spoke of UT fans and the Knoxville community, said he sought advice from numerous people before making what he called the toughest professional decision in his life.
Taylor even went so far as to seek counsel from UT defensive coordinator John Chavis, who many perceived as a rival because of their seemingly opposite personalities.
“People always tried to make like there was some riff between me and Chief,” Taylor said of Chavis. “Me and Chief were just both competitors. That’s what you want.”
When Taylor turned down other job offers, he repeatedly said he wouldn’t leave UT until he won a championship. But with such an offer from Oklahoma State, he couldn’t live up to that promise. He does, however, feel that UT is close to achieving that goal.
“They have what it takes to win a championship here,” Taylor said. “They were close this year. I think they’re beating the door down. That’s going to be hard to be somewhere else watching those guys play.
“You know I’ll be glued to that TV.”
Taylor was glued to another sport Wednesday night. After telling all of his receivers that he was leaving, he invited the group to watch his son, Blaise, play junior basketball.
“I’m going to have as much fun as I possibly can to get my mind off of it,” Taylor said. “That’s the only way you get through tough times — is surround yourself with good people.”
Drew Edwards contributed to this report.
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Comments » 107
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
If Taylor is sincere in his comments in this article, then it sounds like he and Cutcliffe might have a different philosophy when it comes to recruiting players for their new teams.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Taylor seems to have confirmed in his comments what I believed all along, that he is a very good guy and I wish him the best of luck! We'll miss those chest-bumps and hard work, but both sides will move on, and both sides will have their own success. It was fun, Trooper!!! GO VOLS!!!
bluetickhound writes:
Great coach, greater man. We'll miss you, Troop. Glad we don't have to play against your team any time too soon.
invisiblekid writes:
I have nothing but respect and admiration for Taylor and wish him nothing but the best. It's a tough situation watching him leave but a man has to do what he can to improve himself. I always enjoyed watching Taylor on the sidelines and during warmups. To be blunt, he always seemed to get more of a rise out of the players than some of the other assistants. Fulmer better be willing to bring in a group of guys that can match Taylor's enthusiasm, otherwise this program may be in store for more of the games where we get to watch the Vols sleepwalk for a quarter or half.
invisiblekid writes:
That difference in recruiting philosophy is a bit of an eye-ctacher isn't it Mbumburu LOL.
eb502us#225637 writes:
No need to be concerned about players going to OSU. Now if it was another school in the south, different story. I think Trooper has been looking to move for the last two years, with this being his best opportunity and offer. I wish him well, but am confident we won't miss a beat in recruiting. Someone just as good or better will fill his shoes. Now OC, that another story as I don't think anyone knows what Fulmer's going to do. Lets just hope he looks outside for an innovative OC.
SunDevol writes:
I'm a caucasian man too and I strongly believe that LazhilUTDelt doesn't have a clue about what he wrote.
The fact is that you have no idea why Trooper wasn't hired as the OC for UT. Maybe he wasn't hired because Fulmer isn't "A Man and he's not 40!!"
Please provide us with some evidence before accusing Phil of being a racist.
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
Man...all these great players coming back, and none of the same coaches to coach them. What do you think that will do to the players, especially with this loss?
Troop, thanks for the high-five at the Memphis game last year. I always thought if UT were to win another NC soon, you would be the guy to coach the players all the way to it.
Good Luck at Ok. St. I hope to see you here again one day.
chefjorge writes:
I'm a caucasian man and I'm prone to believe that LazhilUTDelt is a perfect idiot. Coach Taylor described exactly why he wasn't immediately offered the reins of the UT offense and yet you're going to say it's a race thing? You are a part of what's wrong with race relations in this country. I'm a man and I'm not forty either (almost, but still) and yet I'm not so stupid as to make boldly moronic statements that have zero to do with anything that's going on.
wyomingvol writes:
Good luck to the Troop, lets see what we got now! This is the make or break point of Phil's career, roll the dice, suc 'em up, and I am hoping that we are sitting on a good record this time nextz year.... Vols in good, Vols in bad,,, I say bring in Jessico White.....
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Alright,
Coach Fulmer gets a great coordinator who returns us to an SEC crown in two years. Trooper develops into a top notch coordinator as well.
Fulmer goes out on top and then Trooper is named new head coach of UT.
Now, we're all happy!
dowdpat#654244 writes:
Hey LazhilUTdelt shouldn't you be out campaigning for Hilary or Obama instead of posting on this site.
oldorange writes:
Can't wait to see who is going to join the staff at UT. Taylor was fun to watch.
madisonvillevol writes:
said it before and will say it again--anybody can be replaced, but he will surely be missed--especially as a recruiter. remember when rodney gardner left for georgia? he was a fine recruiter, but it didn't take long for him to be pretty much forgotten and replaced.
mtnvol writes:
Good luck to Coach Taylor. He's a fine man from a good family in Cuero, TX and I wish him well in the Big 12.
While it is a pain to replace good people, it is a tribute to our program that we have coaches that a) are ready to move up, and b) that other schools want.
abrown#232236 writes:
LazhilUTDelt -- Kippy Brown is African American -- what's that do to your argument? Accusations like that carry alot of gravity, and can cause so many people so many problems. While we are on the topic of moral fiber, the ease with which you make an uninformed, unsupported statement that can damage others is morally irresponsible. When we hire an African American in that slot, will you be upstanding enough to send a letter to Coach Fulmer and every fan, saying that you are sorry for trying to pin a Scarlet Letter on our program? Probably not. More likely you will slink away in the night like a coward, and not take responsibility for your stupid, loose comments.
tennecwingrider writes:
LazhilUTDelt, you are an idiot.
atlorange writes:
UT needs to think outside the box on these new hires. I am sick of the old orange guard. This offense is tired. It demands perfect execution by NFL caliber players. We do not have the same players of the 90s. This recruiting class with be lower 20s in ranking....Time for a change in mindset or we will be replacing the ENTIRE coaching staff in 3 year.
Volker writes:
Trooper, we're going to miss you. Good luck going to coach with a "man, who's 40".
It looks like Kippy is going to make his way back to Knox.
Volker writes:
By the way, LazHil,
Kip is not caucasian.
leedsvol2007 writes:
The timing was off for Taylor to become our offensive coordinator. Due to his overall situation Fulmer has to hire someone with a proven resume in this position.
Taylor did a great job for us and if he is successful at Oklahoma State as a coordinator he will become a head coach at a major program.
I'm betting he will succeed and I will be pulling for him to become a head coach in the future.
GoVols!
Ditchdigger writes:
LazhilUTDelt, Why bring up racist comments when that was the last thing on anyones mind but your's. You are a Jackass.
imnotwithphil writes:
So long Trooper - you had too much class for this coaching staff.
Hey Philbillies - who's next to jump ship? Should we start an "office pool?"
splinterdand#602266 writes:
Fulmer's no racist. I'd bet that Trooper could do the job, but he's still pretty young and has no coordinator experience. Fulmer would have been crucified if he'd put Taylor in that position and he didn't perform well.
ssukonic#254241 writes:
I think we have damn good coaches, with ethics and morals. I think we have really good PEOPLE who are also good coaches. Cutcliffe and Taylor are examples of coaches people WANT to play for. I think Cutcliffe has done nothing wrong and neither has Trooper. I think the ethics and good common sense of some of the posters on here is really lacking. I think the sky is falling crowd is simply pathetic. I hate to see both of these guys go but understand their reasons why. If we're the program I think we are, we'll get good replacements and we'll be successful.
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
Co-Offensive Coordinator means, Gundy is going to do the play calling while Trooper recruits and waves his towel on Saturday's and some Friday's and Thursday's here and there.
lnbadger320 writes:
it's a shame that's he's leaving, but hopofully, we'll get a good coach to replace him.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Good luck to Mr. Taylor. He will have an impact on recruiting, as UT has a bit of a pipeline to Oklahoma.
Trooper knows the athletes UT goes after, so he'll be after them as well. That being said, I'm not too worried about stealing recruits. One, he said he wouldn't do it and 2) UT is still (barely) on another level compared to okie state.
I'd like to see Okie State come back up, they have been a fun program over time with some big players and big wins.
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
LazhilUTDelt, Im caucasian, im not forty and i think you are an ass and you shouldnt post in here any more. Take your white guilt somewhere else.
1974Vol writes:
LazhilUTDelt Wow, how did you reach such a outrageous conclusion when the apparent leading candidate is Kippy Brown, who is, the last time I checked, black? I wanted TT as OC becuase I thought his coaching ability would carry him until he got the management side of it down - managing your O coaching staff, game planning, more media and alum attention - the business side of the job. I think CPF sees this as his most important hire ever - 'cause he's betting his job on it. So he wants someone more proven. The problem he has as I have posted before is getting someone with the experience he wants that will run the TN O system. If they can come to terms KB is probably the next OC. One thing we all seem to be forgetting is we also need a QB position coach as DC held that role as well. Don't know if KB or other candidates can do both. I know CPF wants to be deliberate in his decision but if he doesn't move soon it will really impact recruiting.
TommyJack writes:
LazzieFrat: Each time I think you're making progress, you revert back to your D/A comments.
Stay away from the keggers.
burpee_von_rotweiler_IV writes:
“But Phillip’s going to always meticulously go through all the searches to make sure he’s got the best staff together because Tennessee’s home for him.”
Read this quote. Read it again. This is indicative of the "paralysis by overanalysis" syndrome that seems to plaque UT football and that Fulmer ain't ever leaving.
Trooper Taylor is precisely the type of person UT needs for a coach--intensity, integrity, intuitive, and insightful. Reading between the lines of Trooper's quotes I believe the Big One had no intention of naming him offensive coordinator because he doesn't wanting him calling plays, or more to the point, perceives him as a threat.
Too bad UT let him get away.
bigbluevol writes:
Good luck to Troop. I'm sure he'll do well. I hope to see him back on the Hill someday.
agentorange writes:
Other than the timing of the coaching changes, Cut and Taylor moving up is a good thing. It shows that Fulmer/UT develops coaching talent. It should bring in more good coaches who want to develop professionally...which means bringing in talent and winning.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Enuf of this "excitement" business on the sidelines anyway!
Trooper will be missed but its a promotion and more $$$$. He must have been ready to go and he went. Some must have ready for him to go and they let him go.
We hire another and move on. Its always the successfull (duh) side of a coaching team that gets opportunities. Chavis must feel like someone getting ready to sing the Natl Anthem and errr. "What's the words"? Am I alone or what?
Did enjoy his unbridled attitude which was something of an oddity lately on the Vol's sidelines.
Now the important stuff. Wisconsin and do we have any odd oggs?
78ladyvol writes:
WOW.. I can't believe the animosity being flung @ LazhilUTDelt!! Isn't this a forum that allows people to speak their mind freely!! You don't have to agree with him, although what he says has merit in college football and basketball and not to mention the NFL.. who's to say that it is or isn't true in this situation.. we don't know.. but we do know it happens all day everyday!! If you don't believe it.. look at how many D1 TOP programs have minorites in positions of power and how many don't.. if this wasn't a valid concern in college athletics why was the BCA created.. (if you don't know what that is.. homework assignment- look it up)
After all is said and done I hate to see Trooper go..UT fans, players, etc hate to see him go,I know I am going to miss him at the Vol walks
Once again, the spotlight is bright on Fulmer and I hope he can make the right decision to fill these positions with quality coaches regardless of race
TommyJack writes:
78lady: If you read this often, you know that many of us have far more animosity "flung" at us than does LazzieFrat. Who cares? It's just words.
Fun too. Sorry if I hurt his wittle feewings.
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
Shut up lady.
Titan writes:
Good luck to Trooper. May not bump heads with him too much on the recruiting trail since I'm not sure how often we go head to head with OK State.
Only thing that bothered me was Troop's quote that "THEY have what it takes to win a championship here. “THEY were close this year. I think THEY'RE beating the door down." If he's still coaching for us, shouldn't the THEYs be WEs?
eduardo writes:
Get Cuttie & Mister Chest Bump outta here! They have different jobs now. They don't need to be here any longer!!!!! This is so stupid keeping them around for a non BCS game. Let them go and see what you have on your staff, F$$$lmer!
volunteerfan23 writes:
Best of luck to Trooper! I don't look at Troop as a race, I look at him as a man, a man with great values and a passion for success. I want to personally thank him for taking time from his busy schedule and talking to my son when he was about to go through knee surgery a few years back, and taking to time to talk to my boys anytime we saw him at a game or anywhere. We wish you well and you will in my mind always be a VOL! The end of the Vol walk will sure be different now.
orangebass writes:
trooper needs to move on, he had NO experience and no reason to believe he had what it takes to be a top notch OC, jumping up & down may help in recruiting in some cases, but no indication he knew what to call on 3 & 4 against florida or georgia when it counts. let him prove himself then he gets consideration. fulmer needs to hire someone with experience or he may be looking for an offensive coordinators job himself
waterskier3#226480 writes:
he gone in spirit and mind but his body will be around until the vols lose to wisc in the bowl game. At any level once you make a decision to work for someone else your motiviation drops... sorry that's just a fact of life. that doesn't mean he will want to win but it won't matter as much..
BTW maybe trooper knew that fulmer is on the hot seat so fulmer is going to take his sweet time and really see if any interest in the program. I say zero interest with him as HC and he makes adkins OC thru default. any strong willed OC will clash with phil and he won't allow it... so stay the course and get we'll get back to tn football at some point in the future...lol
TommyJack writes:
Never thought I would agree with Eduardo. Hell hath frozen over...
Colliervol writes:
Can't add anything to the above comments about lazhil's statement. How one can say that is beyond ludicrous. It's downright ignorant. The lead candidate is an African-American. What else do you need to know?
Can't blame Trooper for leaving. Gundy obviously needs a big hitter in recruiting and they were willing to give Trooper what he wanted. Give me a promotion and double my salary and I'm leaving too. Good luck to him.
Ironcity writes:
Good luck Troop . I look forward to finding out who our new coaches will be.
Hickmc writes:
I hate to see Trooper go, and as far as I'm concerned I'm a little tired of hearing the same answers from Mr. Fulmer. I have always loved TN football since I was a child, and like many others I have entire rooms dedicated to UT athletics both past and present. I personally would like to have seen Trooper given the opportunity to succeed as OC. If Mr. Fulmer is afraid of being roasted for going out on the limb and giving an unknown an opportunity he need only go back as far as John Chavis. Mr Chavis is a fine Defensive Coordinator and a good hire. Just remember we can't always take the easy road, to be successful we must sometimes take a chance. I know we failed once with a new man in Mr. Sanders but I feel part of that was due to his lack of experience in any program but TN. Trooper has coached under several different styles so maybe, just maybe he might be the next great mind in football. Lets just hope we don't find out as an opponent on the gridiron. Good Luck Trooper I never had the honor of meeting you but still feel you will be missed tremendously.
UTmama writes:
Trooper,
Thanks for all that you have given to UT and its players. The enthusiasm and fun that you brought to the games and the vol walk will never be forgotten but sorely missed! Thanks for all of the chest bumps that you gave to my son and the words that he will never forget..."When was the corner beat? The day he was born!" God bless you and your family.
smokeyvol writes:
Cut and Trooper were both good recruiters, but below average on the big O. I could predict what play was being called 80% of the time and the other SEC schools could to. I say thanks to both, but I look forward to upgrading the talent at both positions.
UT_Tim writes:
Here’s a thought….Just maybe Phil remembers what happen when he hired from within the program last time. Our good buddy Randy Sanders wasn't ready for the job and the result was the worst O in the freaken country. You can’t just move people up because a spot on the staff comes open and you sure as heck don’t just give the job to someone to keep them from leaving. It’s time to search the country for the BEST candidate and hire them.
I like Troop and wish him all the luck but also wish he had waited till after the bowl game. He can’t do anything on the recruiting end till after January 6th anyway.
With all that’s going on with the program, I don’t see us winning this bowl game.
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