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Coach T.C. Taylor
What or who inspired you to become a coach?
As a player, my dream was always to go to the NFL. And when that
season of my life was over, I came back home. I got a call one day
from a coach that was here at Jackson State when I was a player.
He said, ‘Have you ever thought about coaching?’ I still wanted to
be around the game, so it was a no brainer for me. I thought about
the great coaches that molded me - James “Big Daddy” Carson
and Robert Hughes. I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s take it and go!’
What do you consider your greatest achievement and why?
As a player, it’s the success I had here. Coming in as quarterback,
and then having that taken away from me, moving to another
position at receiver, and then having success and helping my team
was a huge accomplishment. It allowed me to continue my dreams
of making it to the NFL. Coaching-wise, I started at Coahoma
Community College—a bottom-of-the-barrel type of league, as we
were repeatedly told. I got that program turned around. Then I
went to Texas Southern and then to North Carolina Central and we
won our first championship. I got a taste for it, and that’s how I
wake up every day and approach work - thinking about winning
the next championship.
What’s your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
I love the outdoors—hunting, fishing, and now I’ve picked up golf.
Three years ago, I got an invite from our Vice President and
Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson to play in his tournament.
I played for the first time in that tournament and fell in love with it.
Plus, it gives me something to do when I can’t hunt and fish.
A lot of guys get out there and want to play against each other, but
the real challenge is defeating the course. I love that.
What advice would you give to a young person?
Preparedness vs. pressure. Don’t operate under pressure. Be
prepared. If you prepare daily for what God has in store for you,
and you keep striving for those goals, then when that moment
comes, you’ll be ready for it.
What do you love most about Jackson?
There are some amazing spots around here to eat! I grew up here!
I love this place! The love in the city, the camaraderie, the love for
this football team and this program hasn’t changed. But I’ve I got to
put food up at the top! There’re some amazing spots where you
can just eat and put your elbows on the table.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your job?
Seeing these kids achieve success, and seeing their faces when
they do. When a kid calls me and tells me how I impacted their life
– it may be a kid that made it to the NFL. It could be
something I said, and they say, ‘Coach that stuck with
me and made me into the man that I am.’’ That’s what’s
big to me - mentoring these young men and getting
them ready for real the world.
What is a typical day like in the life of a college head coach?
I start my day with a workout. After that, it’s getting these coaches
and kids squared away. I try to run a first-class program with these
guys, making sure they’re doing things and following the schedule
the right way. Then, it’s staying out in front on things. We have a
season to get ready for—travel, how we present and represent the
program, game uniforms, everything. I try to stay ahead of all that.
Besides The Vet, what’s your favorite place to play and why?
Baton Rouge. There’s nothing like crossing that bridge to campus.
But last year was my first time having the opportunity to play down
in Lorman at Alcorn. To be down there, that atmosphere
is crazy! Their fans are right there with us. The energy in that
stadium was electric. They do it right! I have to say it’s right up
there with Baton Rouge.
What is your favorite childhood sports memory?
There was this one basketball game when I was a kid, and it was
tied up and near the end of the game. My friend was on the free
throw line and we needed a bucket to win. He missed the free
throw, but I got the rebound and put it back up and scored! I still
think about that to this day. Also, the first day my mom allowed me
to play peewee football. She didn’t want me to play but I’d begged
her. I started my football career with the Magnolia Packers!
Who is Jackson State’s biggest rival and why?
Everybody thinks when you say Jackson State and Alcorn, that’s
the big one. However, that’s more of a mutual love relationship.
But when you talk about Jackson State and Southern? That’s a
TRUE rivalry! We don’t like them, and they don’t like us. From the
fans, the bands—there’s no getting along with that game right
there. You can mark that one on your calendar!
What’s one of the most difficult and one of the most
rewarding things about being a public figure?
The difficult thing for me is I’m not a big talker. But now that
I’m head coach, I get stopped a lot. Fans want to talk and take
pictures. The reward of it is that I feel the love, and I understand
and appreciate it. We recently had our kids camp, and their faces
would light up when I would go up to them and high five them!
That means a lot to me. In the city of Jackson, it’s all about Jackson
State. That’s what I always tell people when they ask me about
being in this position. I understand the responsibility and importance
of doing things the right way.
Who is your biggest fan and why?
My two sons and my wife. They’re my biggest fans and my biggest
critics. They have always been honest with me during
my entire coaching career. As a coordinator, I can
remember if we lost a game they would tell me, ‘You
called a bad game.’ When I’m down, they pick me up,
and when I’m up too high, they’re going to pull me
back down. They keep me grounded.
Hometown CLINTON • 25