Ryan Taylor, a former football star during the Governors non-scholarship era, returned to his alma mater in 2008 as linebacker coach. He shifted to defensive line in 2009.
He also is in charge of the football program's strength and conditioning efforts.
Taylor came back to Clarksville after serving two seasons as an assistant coach at North Greenville University, Tigerville, S.C.
Taylor began his coaching career in 2005 as an APSU graduate assistant, coaching linebackers. That was after an outstanding career at APSU.
As a Governor, Taylor was one of APSU's leading tacklers his last three seasons as a rover/outside linebacker.
Despite his 5-9, 185-pound size, Taylor earned a hard-nosed reputation that resulted in him finishing no worse than sixth in team tackles in each of his final three seasons. His 75 stops as a sophomore ranked second on the team and he was sixth as a senior, despite missing two complete games following emergency surgery to repair a broken blood vessel.
During his career, Taylor had a total of 21 tackles for loss, seven interceptions-two returned for touchdowns-four fumble recoveries and seven forced fumbles. He also blocked a kick.
In fact, Taylor owns APSU's single-season record for interception returns (2/2002) for touchdowns as well as the career mark (3) in that category. He also is third all-time in career interception retunr yards (205) while ranking first in fumbles forced (8) while also being ranked in the Top 10 in single-season fumbles forced. .
But Taylor also accomplished much off the field. The mathematics major was an eight-time member of of the Athletics Director's Honor Roll (3.0 GPA) and two-time first-team member of the Pioneer Football League All-Academic team. Three times he was nominated for Academic All-America.
As a result of his outstanding career both on and off the field, Taylor was named the 2005 APSU's Male Joy Award recipient as the most valuable senior athlete.
The Olmstead, Ky., native played linebacker and running back for Gwynne Gaddie at Logan County High School. He earned third-team all-state as a senior.
He is married to the former Kim Bossaller.
