Taylor pulls name from Howard search

Tennessee’s wide receivers coach and assistant head coach for player development announced Saturday that he has taken his name out of consideration for the vacant head-coaching job at Division I-AA Howard University.

"I appreciate them contacting me," Taylor said in a statement released by UT. "It is flattering to be considered, and I wish them the best in the future."

Taylor’s name surfaced last Thursday when Howard athletic director Dwight Datcher said Taylor was one of five candidates for the job.

Taylor has been at UT since the 2004 season, and moved to receivers last season after coaching running backs.

"I am extremely excited about what we are doing here at Tennessee," Taylor said. "I really appreciate the support I have received from our fans and our players that wanted me to stay."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he was glad to hear Taylor was staying.

"I am pleased that Trooper will remain with us," Fulmer said. "Trooper is an outstanding coach and recruiter.

"Almost every year some of our coaches are contacted by other universities or the NFL. Sometimes it becomes public, other times it does not. When you have good people, that is going to happen."

UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their offensive coordinator job earlier this month before deciding not to pursue the position.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.