Jackson State University has officially named its new head football coach.

T.C. Taylor, a former Jackson State Football Tiger, has ascended to the position of Head Coach at his alma mater.

Taylor is the school’s 22nd head coach. He will be formally introduced in January following the conclusion of the Celebration Bowl.

Once a former JSU quarterback and wide receiver, Taylor has also been a part of the Jackson State football staff since 2019. He worked as a coach for tight ends and wide receivers, along former coach Deion Sanders.

Jackson State Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson said,

“I am excited to announce T.C. Taylor as our next head coach. T.C.’s passion and love for Jackson State University is unquestioned. His fervent desire and hunger to lead his alma mater as head coach is unparalleled. His standard of excellence as a player as a JSU Tiger and his career trajectory as an assistant coach has prepared him for this opportunity. His vision and plan to continue the championship excellence of Jackson State football elevated him to the top of the search process. I look forward to him leading our program in 2023 and into the future. Let’s rally behind Coach Taylor by investing in our football program at gojsutigers.com/footballgift, and let’s continue to make history.”

JSU President, Thomas K. Hudson, J.D. stated,

“Coach Taylor’s experience working with our student-athletes, along with his dedication to support and enhance his alma mater, are exactly what Jackson State University needs to continue to elevate the athletic prowess of our football program. I look forward to working with him as he continues to build on tradition and blaze new trails.”

Taylor is a native of McComb, Mississippi and was a quarterback and wide receiver at JSU from 1998-2001. In 19 games as a receiver, he amassed 188 catches for 1,793 yards.

According to a press release from Jackson State, “as a senior at Jackson State, Taylor broke the JSU single-season record with 84 receptions for 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning NCAA Division I-AA Third-Team All-America honors from The Sports Network and First-Team Black College All-America recognition from Sheridan Broadcasting Network. He was also the runner-up for the 2001 Conerly Trophy, presented to Mississippi’s top college football player, behind Eli Manning.”

Taylor signed as a rookie free agent with the New England Patriots in 2002, played wide receiver for the NFL Europe World Bowl XI champion Frankfurt Galaxy in 2003, and participated in the 2003 NFL preseason with the Detroit Lions before a nagging injury ended his playing career.

Taylor graduated from Jackson State with a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and recreation in 2005. He is married to Dawn, and they have two sons, Tre and Tylan.