T. C. Taylor

Thomas "T. C." Taylor (born September 22, 1978) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach for the Jackson State Tigers. He played college football for the school as a quarterback and wide receiver, and after graduating had stints in the National Football League (NFL) with the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions, as well as in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy and Amsterdam Admirals. He later served as a coach at Coahoma Community College, Texas Southern, and North Carolina Central, before joining Jackson State in 2019.

Early life and education Taylor was born on September 22, 1978, in Magnolia, Mississippi. He attended South Pike High School and played quarterback, the same position he had played in elementary school and junior high school. He began attending Jackson State University (JSU) in 1998 finishing with 84 for 1,234 yards and 11 scores. He was named third-team All-American by The Sports Network and first-team Black college All-American by the Sheridan Broadcasting Network. He additionally was the runner-up for the Conerly Trophy, given to the best player in Mississippi (with Eli Manning winning the award). but later re-signed to the practice squad. He was released from the practice squad in October 2002. Taylor was re-signed in January 2003 and was sent to NFL Europe two months later. Although originally slated to play for the Barcelona Dragons, He was released by the Patriots in July 2003, but later signed with the Detroit Lions, before an injury ended his playing career. He served one year in that position before being named offensive coordinator, which he served as through 2011. Taylor joined North Carolina Central in 2014, spending his first year as quarterbacks coach. He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2015, and became the team's sole offensive coordinator in 2017.

Taylor returned to his alma mater, Jackson State, in January 2019, being hired as quarterbacks coach. He did not serve in that position, ultimately becoming the tight ends and wide receivers coach. After head coach Deion Sanders left for Colorado in December 2022, Taylor was named his successor.

Head coaching record