RON MALY HAS BEEN WATCHING THE PARADE GO BY FOR A LONG TIME. THIS IS ONE OF HIS WEBSITES.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Dain Taylor Named Drake's Defensive Line Coach


Former Drake all-America defensive end Dain Taylor has been named defensive line coach for the Bulldogs, head coach Chris Creighton said Tuesday.

“Our defensive line has been coached exceptionally well the past two years,” said Creighton, “and we are going to miss coach Casey Carlo. We had interest in our defensive line position from coaches all over the country and we ended up getting our very first choice: Dain Taylor.”

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Drake and completing a stellar 2010 senior season, Taylor spent the spring and summer of 2011 working out with members of the Denver Broncos in his home state of Colorado, hoping for a chance to extend his football career in the professional ranks. He signed with the Arena Football League’s Utah Blaze as a free agent on Sept. 26, 2012, and blocked a kick in his first game on March 10, 2012 against San Antonio. His rookie season included a game in Des Moines against the Iowa Barnstormers on Feb. 25.

“Dain was a four-time ‘Committed to Excellence’ winner in our program, a team captain and a multiple All-American before he went on to play professionally in the AFL. We are fired up about him coming back to Drake to coach. He will make our players and our program better. We can’t wait to get started.”

The Highlands Ranch, Colo., native ended his collegiate career in 2010 on an impressive note by earning second-team Associated Press FCS All-America, AFCA FCS All-America, first-team all-Pioneer Football League and PFL Defensive Player of the Year. Taylor also was named the Pioneer Football League’s co-Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against Dayton where he tallied a career-high 12-tackles, including 3.5 sacks, one safety, and a blocked kick.

Serving as a co-captain his senior year, Taylor recorded 49.5 tackles, including 13.5 sacks (3rd in nation) and 24 tackles for loss (3rd in nation). He also returned one interception for a touchdown, and recorded four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick.

Taylor registered 149.5 career tackles, including 27.5 sacks and 54.5 total tackles for loss. He also posted 12 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and four blocked kicks.

The Bulldogs, defending co-champions of the Pioneer Football League, open the 2012 season at home on Thursday, Aug. 30, vs. Grand View, at 7 p.m. Drake will play six home games, including a Sept. 8 clash with Montana, and four contests against PFL competition at Drake Stadium.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com, or you may purchase by phone at (515) 271-DOGS.

[This story was written for Ron Maly by Paul Kirk, Drake's assistant athletic director for communications].