3 Questions for Jackson State Football, TC Taylor at SWAC Media Day
Expectations are high for the Jackson State football team and coach TC Taylor heading into the 2024 season. Taylor went 7-4 in his first season replacing Deion Sanders, and the goal this fall is to reclaim the Southwestern Athletic Conference title he won in 2021 and 2022.
Here are three questions for Taylor ahead of his second SWAC media day on Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama.
How will JSU react to the loss of so many good coaches?
When Taylor replaced Sanders, he replaced all of the coaches except for associate head coach Otis Riddley. Taylor also had to recruit more than 40 players to fill out the roster. Aside from that, Jackson State led the 2023 SWAC in total offense with an average of 389.4 yards per game.
However, after the season, the Tigers lost five offensive coaches, including co-offensive coordinators Jason Onyebugau and Maurice Harris, to other programs. Taylor will replace Onyebugau and Harris as offensive coordinator.
On defense, Taylor lost defensive coordinator Jonathan Bradley and a position coach. Taylor will have to worry about a defense that ranked sixth in scoring defense, allowing 23.9 points per game, and seventh in rushing defense, allowing 148.5 yards per game.
Taylor named Torenzo Quinn, who coached the defensive backs and was the defensive passing game coordinator in 2023, as defensive coordinator.
For the second year in a row, players at most positions are learning under new coaches. The lack of coaching continuity makes it more difficult for Jackson State to win the SWAC.
Why did Taylor appoint himself offensive coordinator?
Taylor was a successful offensive coordinator at North Carolina Central and most recently at Jackson State in 2021. However, in those roles, Taylor did not simultaneously hold the title of head coach.
With play-calling duties added to Taylor’s responsibilities, he has a busy schedule of pre- and mid-game responsibilities as head coach, including overseeing game plans on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, as well as special teams.
THREE QUESTIONS TC TAYLOR MUST ANSWER Three questions Jackson State football coach TC Taylor must answer at SWAC Media Day
What needs to be done to make the Jackson State football team play better at home?
Jackson State played 2-2 at home last season. They lost their home games and their senior games and had to fight for their two wins.
The JSU fan base is loyal whether they win or lose, which has helped the Tigers become the top-attended FCS football school the past three years. But winning at home in front of an alumni base is important, especially against rivals Alcorn State and Southern.
Taylor is in the second year of a three-year contract and to keep his spot, the Tigers will need to play well at home.
JT Keith is the HBCU sports editor of the Clarion Ledger. You can email him at [email protected] or reach him on Twitter at @JTKEITH1.
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