Post by aggiejazz on Jan 17, 2008 9:47:48 GMT -5
Coach Taylor may be on the verge of putting together a monster coaching staff.
January 17, 2008
By Heath A. Smith
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Joe Taylor didn't waste any time getting down to business.
Florida A&M's new football coach started meeting players on Monday, his first day on the job. He also started assembling a coaching staff.
Fancy lunches will have to wait for another day. Taylor made time for McDonald's at his desk as he set the tone as the new head Rattler.
Five new assistants also began work this week, including three from his staff at Hampton University: Tim Edwards, Lawrence Kershaw and his oldest son, Aaron Taylor.
Edwards, who was on Hampton's staff the past five seasons, was hired as the recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach. Edwards was the recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach at Hampton.
Kershaw just completed his first season at Hampton as the offensive line coach and will serve in the same capacity at FAMU.
Aaron Taylor was an assistant coach at Hampton the past few years. He was the running backs coach last season and will have the same duties under his father at FAMU.
Taylor also hired his former defensive coordinator at Hampton, George Smalls, as assistant head coach and defensive line coach.
Smalls left Hampton in 2003 to replace Bill Hayes (FAMU's current athletic director) as North Carolina A&T's head football coach. Smalls led the Aggies to a 10-3 record and an MEAC Championship in 2003, but was fired in 2005 after back-to-back losing seasons.
Steven Jerry has been brought in to coach quarterbacks and wide receivers. Jerry spent the past four seasons at William & Mary, located in Williamsburg, Va., about 20 miles from Hampton.
Taylor said he was in the process of putting together the rest of his staff this week, including filling the offensive and defensive coordinator positions.
"We've been working from a distance as far as getting our staff together," said Taylor, hired Dec. 31 to replace Rubin Carter, who FAMU President James Ammons fired in November following a 3-8 season. "It's a transitional period right now."
Taylor spent last week at the annual American Football Coaches Association convention, where he received more than his share of inquiries.
"There were 8,000 coaches there and it seemed like 7,000 wanted to come here," Taylor said. "That's a good position to be in, though."
Although Taylor met informally with some of his players Monday, he said the official team meeting will be held Wednesday.
Taylor plans to use that meeting to get everybody on the same page as they prepare for the 2008 season.
"There is no magic to winning," Taylor said. "Everybody has to be accountable."
January 17, 2008
By Heath A. Smith
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Joe Taylor didn't waste any time getting down to business.
Florida A&M's new football coach started meeting players on Monday, his first day on the job. He also started assembling a coaching staff.
Fancy lunches will have to wait for another day. Taylor made time for McDonald's at his desk as he set the tone as the new head Rattler.
Five new assistants also began work this week, including three from his staff at Hampton University: Tim Edwards, Lawrence Kershaw and his oldest son, Aaron Taylor.
Edwards, who was on Hampton's staff the past five seasons, was hired as the recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach. Edwards was the recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach at Hampton.
Kershaw just completed his first season at Hampton as the offensive line coach and will serve in the same capacity at FAMU.
Aaron Taylor was an assistant coach at Hampton the past few years. He was the running backs coach last season and will have the same duties under his father at FAMU.
Taylor also hired his former defensive coordinator at Hampton, George Smalls, as assistant head coach and defensive line coach.
Smalls left Hampton in 2003 to replace Bill Hayes (FAMU's current athletic director) as North Carolina A&T's head football coach. Smalls led the Aggies to a 10-3 record and an MEAC Championship in 2003, but was fired in 2005 after back-to-back losing seasons.
Steven Jerry has been brought in to coach quarterbacks and wide receivers. Jerry spent the past four seasons at William & Mary, located in Williamsburg, Va., about 20 miles from Hampton.
Taylor said he was in the process of putting together the rest of his staff this week, including filling the offensive and defensive coordinator positions.
"We've been working from a distance as far as getting our staff together," said Taylor, hired Dec. 31 to replace Rubin Carter, who FAMU President James Ammons fired in November following a 3-8 season. "It's a transitional period right now."
Taylor spent last week at the annual American Football Coaches Association convention, where he received more than his share of inquiries.
"There were 8,000 coaches there and it seemed like 7,000 wanted to come here," Taylor said. "That's a good position to be in, though."
Although Taylor met informally with some of his players Monday, he said the official team meeting will be held Wednesday.
Taylor plans to use that meeting to get everybody on the same page as they prepare for the 2008 season.
"There is no magic to winning," Taylor said. "Everybody has to be accountable."
