Anthony Taylor joined the Alabama State staff in January 2019, and will be responsible for the defensive line. He begins his third year with the Hornets as the 2021 season gets underway.
This past year, he helped the Hornets defense hold opponents to 140.8 yards rushing and 184.8 yards passing, while also helping a defense hold opponents to 17 points or less twice in just five games. He also coached All-Conference performers Christian Clark and Andrew Ogletree, while also coaching a pair of linemen that got into the backfield all spring in Brandon Gaddy and Cameron Rampersaud. In 2019, Taylor helped coach a defensive line that put pressure on the quarterback and helped hold opponents to just over 167 yards per game through the air. The Hornets’ Christian Clark earned All-Conference honors under the tutelage of Taylor.
In 2018, he coached at Division II West Georgia as the defensive backs coach. While at West Georgia, he was coached Tyler Jack – a second team Gulf South Conference selection – and helped coach a defense that ranked eighth nationally in passing yards allowed. The team also finished 18th nationally in pass efficiency defense.
Prior to his stint at West Georgia, Taylor was the defensive line coach for a year at Alabama A&M under Pearson, coaching an all-conference selection in Vernon Moland. The team finished fifth nationally in fourth down defense, and 16th nationally in sacks. Also coached two seasons at Oklahoma Panhandle State where he was responsible for the defensive line, coaching all-conference selection Zack Clack. He also served as a graduate assistant for two seasons at Valdosta State.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from South Alabama (May 2013), before receiving a Master’s in Public Administration from Valdosta State (December 2015). A three-year starter on the defensive line for South Alabama, voted as team captain.
