Urbana Grad Named Blue Knight Head Football Coach
(April 25, 2008) – David Taynor, a 1999 graduate of Urbana University, was named Blue Knight head football coach today. He becomes the ninth head football coach at Urbana.

"Coach Taynor was the player's choice from the moment they met him. His background as an outstanding student-athlete at Urbana University made him the ideal fit for our program,” said Urbana University Director of Athletics Doug Young. “Dave knows what it takes to be successful at the NCAA Division II level. We will all benefit from his experiences with the great programs that he has been a part of in the past."

He was a first team all-Mid-States Football Association offensive lineman for the Blue Knights and also earned NAIA all-American honors in 1998. Taynor, a captain his senior year at Urbana, was an NAIA Scholar Athlete, in addition to being a two-time all-MSFA Scholar Athlete.

“I’m extremely excited about becoming a head football coach, but more importantly, becoming a head football coach here,” said Taynor. “This is where I played college football. This University has done a lot for me and my career. For me to be able to come back and be a part of an exciting time of transition to NCAA D II and be a leader here is something very special to me.”

He comes back to his roots after being mentored by some college coaching greats, and developing a strong and diverse knowledge of the game of football and the necessary leadership experience to effectively mentor student athletes and a successful football program.

“Football has always been a passion of mine,” said Taynor. “Without college football, my coaches and teammates, I would not have had the structure. That is why I got into coaching. This is what I want to do. The development of young men is my goal. We want them to be proud of what they’ve accomplished, where they’ve been and where they’re going.”

Taynor comes to Urbana from Tiffin University where he was the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach for two seasons from 2006-2008. He also served as an academic advisor for the Dragons’ football program. During his tenure as offensive coordinator, Tiffin University established itself as a multiple, balanced and record-setting unit. Over two seasons the Dragons accumulated a 19-3 record and won the Great Lakes Football Conference championship in 2007. During that 2007 season the Tiffin offense broke 18 team or individual university records.

He was named offensive line coach at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2004 and promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005, where he worked along side Head Coach John Miech. As an assistant football coach at UW-Stevens Point, Taynor coordinated the defense which produced four all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference players and a first team all-Region defensive end in 2005. In 2004, his UW-Stevens Point line propelled the offense to a top two finish in the WIAC in total offense, scoring and passing efficiency. He coached two first team all-conference linemen and a second team all-American tight end.

Taynor's first full-time college coaching job was as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. from 2001-2004 with head coach Chris Tabor, who is now a special teams assistant coach with the Chicago Bears. Taynor’s offense finished third in the nation (NAIA) in total offense and second in passing offense, while breaking 35 individual or team records for offensive proficiency during the 2002 season. He also served as the team’s NFL liaison.

“At Culver Stockton in my first season, we recruited 64 players and had the first winning season the school had in 15 years. You can have a very positive immediate impact on a program.”

Taynor got his collegiate coaching start as an assistant coach for the Blue Knights for one season. He then moved on to the University of Louisville as a graduate assistant (1999-2001), working for John L. Smith. While at U of L when the Cardinals were crowned Conference USA champions, Taynor coached in the 1999 Humanitarian Bowl and 2000 Liberty Bowl. He also had the opportunity to assist in the strength training of four NFL draft picks and 14 athletes who were invited to NFL camps.

“I got a chance to learn from John L. Smith, a coach that has turned around programs and knows how to motivate young men,” said Taynor. “It was a great experience.”

Taynor is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has nine years of experience as a head or assistant strength coach.
He received his master's degree in higher education at the University of Louisville in 2000 and his bachelor’s degree in sports science from Urbana University in 1999.

David and his wife, Heather (Rose) Taynor, a 1998 Urbana University graduate and three-year letter winner for the Blue Knight softball team, currently reside in Findlay, Ohio.

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