GRAY MATTERS: Taylor’s Ministry Was More Than Football

By MARK F. GRAY
mgray@hsrn.com

When done right coaching is a ministry.

That was the philosophy that Joe Taylor lived by as one of the most decorated coaches in the history of Black College Football. Beyond the wins, championships, and records, that will be his enduring legacy.

Taylor announced that after 40 years he would leave the sidelines and this will be his final year amongst the fraternity of men charged with the task of winning games and raising men. In an era of win first at any cost, college football’s character will be weakened once Taylor departs the Citrus Bowl on November 17.

Coaches have a unique impact on the players they recruit and steward towards manhood. In many instances the coach is the modern day father figure for African American men. With many student athletes raised in single parent homes by women, coaches – like Taylor – are the male role model they can pattern their lives after.

Through his gridiron ministry, Taylor changed the direction of more than a few lives. He gave players an opportunity when there was none and hope when all seemed lost.

When former New York Jet Marcus Dixon was lost his scholarship to Vanderbilt following a bogus sexual assault charge in Georgia , Taylor welcomed him into Hampton’s program with open arms. This was the same Pirate program that also featured members of the team who had formed a gospel choir that would perform on Friday’s in the Hampton Roads area.

From that insulated environment and with the guidance of Taylor’s leadership, Dixon graduated and enjoyed a stay in the National Football League. Though Dixon never earned the status of a Jerome Mathis or Justin Durant in the league, he is now a productive citizen capable of making a contribution to society.

While Taylor’s legacy ends at Florida A&M he is Hampton football. The biggest mistake in their history was letting Taylor walk. Despite nationally ranked teams that didn’t enjoy post season success, the program has dropped in stature since he left. If the powers that be were to do right by his impact they would name the field at Armstrong Stadium after Joe Taylor.

There were no academic improprieties or NCAA rules violations under his watch. Taylor’s athletes and the young coaches he gave an opportunity were gentlemen first and athletes second. Athletics was the carat but ultimately education was the key to their success both on campus and off.

Taylor’s teams played cutting edge new school football. Having spent time in the late Bill Walsh’s camp he brought the west coast offense to Black College Football. However, his character was old school where he taught life lessons while on the football field which was more important to him than any victory.

When he addressed FAMU’s team before their game at North Carolina A&T to let them know this was his final season he reportedly said that after 40 years he knew it was “time” to retire. Sadly, it will be after a season where his team grossly underachieved.

However, Joe Taylor has done anything but underachieve during his time as a coach. The game of Black College Football is much better off for Taylor giving his career and talents to athletes and institutions that wear his stamp.

Only time will tell if he is ever appreciated for the job he’s done and the lives he touched as a coach and minister of life.

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