Report: Sacramento State’s Troy Taylor a finalist for Stanford HC Job

Could Troy Taylor be on his way out of Sacramento?

According to The Athletic‘s Stewart Mandel, Taylor has been named as a finalist for Stanford’s open head coaching position.

The Sacramento State head coach has put the Hornets’ football program on the map since being hired before the 2019 season, having posted a 30-7 record (23-1 in the Big Sky Conference) during his time with the team.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel confirmed Mandel’s report on Thursday morning as new information stated that Taylor visited Stanford’s campus earlier this week.

Sources: Former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and Sacramento State coach Troy Taylor have emerged as Stanford's top coaching targets, confirming @slmandel report. Taylor visited campus earlier in the week and Garrett had a visit slated later in the week, per ESPN sources.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 8, 2022

There will be some tough competition for the Stanford job as former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is the marquee name that has been attached to the position. Garrett is expected to visit the Stanford campus this week as the interview process could be coming to a head.

The university is looking to find a new coach for the first time since David Shaw replaced Jim Harbaugh in 2011.

Taylor, 54, has been a driving force in turning Sacramento State’s football program into an FCS powerhouse over the past three years. The Hornets currently hold a perfect 11-0 record–after posting the first undefeated regular season finish in school history–entering Friday’s FCS Playoff quarterfinal matchup against the Incarnate Word Cardinals.

Last weekend, Taylor’s Hornets delivered a thrilling 38-31 win over the Richmond Spiders to deliver the first FCS Playoff victory in school history. Now, Sacramento State may need to begin to think about a future that doesn’t include its valued leader.

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