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Alumni return to Taylor sidelines
Some people say you can’t go back home, but for a badling of Ducks, that is not true.
The Taylor Independent School District athletic department recently announced the hiring of six new coaches who are alumni of Taylor High School.
Taylor Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Earven Flowers highlighted the importance of hiring alumni, noting that their familiarity with the community and players helps ease transitions.
“The thing about it is, generally, when we hire somebody from here, the kids know who the person is, or their family knows who the person is. They grew up with them, and a lot of times they could be a relative,” Flowers said. “So, you don’t necessarily have to build a relationship with this person because you already know them.”
At the middle school level, Taylor brings back coaches Myah Richardson and Kelsey Carr, both members of the class of 2020. Richardson graduated from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and Flowers is encouraged by the desire Richardson had to coach in her hometown.
“Myah reached out to me when she was still in college and asked if she would be able to come back home and coach,” Flowers said.
Carr previously coached the Ducks before leaving for Jarrell ISD. Now she returns after spending one year with the Cougars. Flowers talked about her experience at Taylor and why she decided to rejoin the program.
“She’s going to bring a lot of experience to the middle school program. She knows what it takes to be successful at a high level,” Flowers said. “She stepped over to Jarrell for a new opportunity and decided to come back home after having another child. What we are doing here really fits her.”
Additionally, Taylor hired Griselda Villalobos, class of 2013, as the assistant high school tennis coach and Laney Martinez, class of 2020, as the new head golf coach.
Villalobos contacted Flowers about joining the staff, and luckily they had an opening.
“She reached out to us and asked to coach before we were even looking for people for that position,” Flowers said. “When someone is driven and wants to be a part of your program, that is a positive thing.”
Martinez has taught floral design for a year. This will be her first full-time coaching job as she worked with the golf team last season, which, according to Flowers, was a big part in his decision to hire her.
“Our kids took to her, so it was a no-brainer when we had an opening,” Flowers said.
For the high school baseball and football teams, Ryan Gonzales, class of 2010, joins with 10 years of coaching experience from Granger High School, while Mitchell Krumm, class of 2005, will join the middle school boys’ coaching staff. Krumm brings eight seasons of experience as an offensive line coach and coordinator at the semipro level.
“They have a passion for our school and our team. That’s a big positive for us right there,” Flowers said. “Coach Gonzales has been a part of a program that has been successful, so he can bring those things over here. Coach Krumm, as well, has coached at a high level, and that is big for our middle school kids.”
While being an alumnus is a significant asset, Flowers emphasized his confidence in the new hires based on their skills and experience.
“I’m very confident,” Flowers said. “It’s a pretty cool deal that all of our returning coaches are quality coaches. We have a lot of coaches who just wanted to come out and coach and be a part of this athletic program again.”
With this roster of experienced and familiar faces, Taylor ISD is set for a promising athletic season.
