Casey Taylor named varsity football coach at Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge administration probably couldn't have found a better candidate than Casey Taylor to be lead the varsity football team. Not only does Taylor have a successful resume, which include seven section championships, six at Del Oro and one at Capital Christian, four state bowl games and one CIF state championship, but Taylor is also an Oak Ridge graduate, played linebacker and fullback at the school, not to mention baseball, and also began his coaching career there from 1993 to 2000. If a candidate can check all the boxes, it's Taylor. "Casey is an Oak Ridge alum who grew up here in town and played for the football program," Oak Ridge Athletic Director Steve White said. "Oak Ridge and the football program made a big impact on his life. On top of that, Casey has a tremendous winning resume. Now he's come full circle where he's back at Oak Ridge to give back to the program that gave so much to him." As excited as Oak Ridge is to have Taylor, the feeling is just as strong in the other direction, as Taylor is thrilled to be coaching and teaching at his alma mater. "I'm really excited," Taylor said. "To have the opportunity to coach where I grew up, went to high school and coached for seven years, a place that really molded me as a teenager and young man, the trip has come full circle. It's just an opportunity I couldn't pass up. "It's an unique situation. Oak Ridge has been around for 40 years and I was there for almost the first 20. Since then, I've watched the program from afar. I understand what Oak Ridge football is about and what it means and how important it is the community." Taylor began his coaching career as the head junior varsity coach from 93-95 before moving up to the varsity staff to become the offensive coordinator for the next four years, being part of Oak Ridge's undefeated and first section championship team in 1998. After coaching two years at Rocklin, Taylor got the head coaching job at Del Oro, where he coached for 15 seasons with great success; winning six section titles including five in a seven-year span (2005, 2010, 2011,2013, 2015, 2016). He also guided the Golden Eagles to a CIF State Championship in 2015. Taylor coached at Capital Christian for three seasons, winning a section title in 2018, as the school moved up from Division 5 to Division 3, but he was let go as COVID hit. He resurfaced this past year at Inderkum where he coached for one season before accepting the job at Oak Ridge. Taylor admitted he missed the Sierra Foothill League, which makes this another great move for him. "I miss the crowds, the pageantry, and all the good teams," Taylor said. "It's bittersweet leaving Inderkum. As excited as I am to be at Oak Ridge, when you leave a program there's always people you're letting down." What Taylor values most in his years of coaching football isn't the championships; it's the relationships. "I love the kids and the relationships formed with them," Taylor said. "Football is the vehicle we use to teach kids life lessons and coaches a lot of times are role models that a lot of kids need. I enjoy those relationships and I'm not afraid to let players know that I care or tell them that I love them. A lot of coaches I had at Oak Ridge growing up laid the groundout for me to go to college and get into teaching so it's those relationships that are important to me."