Photo credit: Tonya Burris
Another prestigious award recently came in for Coach Steve Taylor when he was notified that he had been named Coach of the Year by the Area National Football Foundation.
This award is given to coaches for their career and the whole body of work which not only includes their record but also their community involvement, the influence they’ve had on their kids and the coaching profession itself.
It is the Texas Tech Chapter of the National Football Foundation. They will recognize area players and a Coach of the Year, which this year is Coach Taylor, and an Assistant Coach of the Year. This year that honor goes to Mark Turner, a longtime assistant coach in Idalou and a Denver City graduate.
“It’s an honor to win this award,” Taylor said “I know the guys that have won it in the past and the great coaches in this area that could have won it and I’m humbled. I give the glory to God. I wouldn’t have accomplished anything without Him.”
After serving his second stint as the head football coach at Denver City, Taylor resigned this position in January but will remain on as the Athletic Director.
Taylor first came to Denver City in 1980 from Muleshoe with Mike Wartes. After serving as a varsity assistant under both Wartes and Alan Cornelius he became the head Mustang football coach in 1992 after Cornelius resigned to accept the same position with Canyon Randall.
After 6 years Taylor resigned his position as both head football coach and Athletic Director in the spring of 1998 and became the Intermediate PE teacher. Taylor then resigned that position in the spring of 1999 to accept the Athletic Director and Head football coaching position in Ozona. After spending five years in Ozona he moved on to Midland Greenwood for three years as the head coach and Athletic Director and then served in the same capacity in Brownfield for one year before returning to Denver City.
During his first stint in Denver City Taylor compiled a 49-13-1 record and since his return six years ago his teams have gone 34-22.
His teams have advanced to the playoffs 8 times during his 11 years in Denver City, winning 4 district championships and 3-Bi-District Championships. Two of his teams, the 1997 and 2014 teams, were both undefeated during the regular season.
His overall record is 165-79-1 in 22 years were he made the playoffs 17 times. In addition to his most recent honor he has also been named District Coach of the Year 10 times, Area Coach of the Year (all classifications) 4 times, and was the Tom Landry Award nominee 4 times.
“A Head Coach is only as good as his Assistant Coaches and players and I’ve had great ones throughout my career,” Taylor added. “I’ve said that after every award I’ve ever won because I believe it.”
There will be a banquet to celebrate this honor on Wednesday, April 27th in Lubbock.
