UTSA’s Jeff Traylor finally goes toe-to-toe against the Texas Longhorns
Saturday’s game will have another familiar face on the opposing sideline.
No, not Alabama coach Nick Saban, who is known practically everywhere. We’re talking about UTSA coach Jeff Traylor, who is known all over Texas.
Traylor has three decades of coaching experience on his resume, the great majority of it in Texas high schools. He’s the walking definition of an East Texas legend as a 12-time district coach of the year and a 2019 inductee into the East Texas Coaches Association Hall of Honor.
In Gilmer, Traylor always eats for free. He was 175-26 and led Gilmer to five state championship game appearances and three state titles (2004, 2009, 2014).
Still, Traylor gave it up to join Charlie Strong’s staff at Texas in 2015. He was the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator and a strong recruiter. He stayed with the Horns in the 2016 season until the school made a change and hired Tom Herman prior to the 2017 season.
“I don’t know if I would have left (high school) for many other places than Texas,” Traylor told UTSA repoters earlier this week. “Coach Strong was very special to me and still is. He’s a good friend of mine and he still calls me.
“It was a special time. I learned so much,” he added. “There’s no way I’d be where I’d be without that place. So yeah, I’d be lying if I said I wasn't grateful to that university for the opportunity they gave me. So many friends I have still there. Some (reporters) right here who have been good to me through my career. It will be special.”
You know Traylor will be jacked sky-high to bring the Roadrunners (1-1) to Royal-Memorial Stadium.
For coaches who cut their teeth coaching in the Texas high school ranks, just standing on that opposing sideline to face the Longhorns is a big deal.
“We have a few guys on our staff that have degrees from that place,” Traylor said. “So yeah, it's a special place but we are excited to go play at DKR.”
Contact Brian Davis by phone or text at 512-445-3957. Email bdavis@statesman.com or follow on Twitter via @BDavisAAS.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UTSA’s Jeff Traylor finally goes toe-to-toe against the Longhorns
