UW Huskies Set to Hire Taylor Mays as Safeties Coach, Bringing Home a Local Legend
The University of Washington Huskies are making an exciting move with the hiring of Taylor Mays as their new safeties coach. Mays, a former standout from O'Dea High School in Seattle, will be returning to his roots after spending the last three seasons with the USC Trojans, where he served as both a defensive analyst and assistant defensive backs coach. This move comes after the Huskies lost both their defensive coordinator, Steve Belichick, and safeties coach, Vinnie Sunseri, to other coaching roles. Mays, who will replace Sunseri, is set to bring his wealth of experience, both from his playing days and his coaching career, to Montlake.
Taylor Mays is no stranger to football fans in Seattle. He was a top recruit out of O'Dea, ranked as the number one player in the state and 11th in the nation for the class of 2006. His decision to commit to USC over the Huskies was a pivotal moment in local sports history. During his time at USC, Mays earned multiple All-America and All-Pac-10 honors, showcasing his exceptional talent and hard-hitting style. His performance on the field made him a highly sought-after prospect, eventually leading to a second-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
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In his six-year NFL career, Mays played for several teams, including the 49ers, Bengals, and Raiders, accumulating 124 tackles, 11 passes defended, and several other notable stats. While he never recorded an interception, his career demonstrated his resilience and skill. After leaving the NFL, Mays spent a season in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before transitioning to coaching.
Mays' hiring is more than just a nod to his impressive playing career; it signals the Huskies' commitment to strengthening their defense under the leadership of new defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. Mays’ background in coaching defensive backs at USC, including serving as the interim safeties coach during the 2023 Holiday Bowl, positions him to make an immediate impact at Washington. He has also built a strong rapport with players, earning respect for his knowledge and leadership.
Beyond his coaching experience, Mays brings valuable connections to Seattle’s football scene, particularly to O'Dea High School, where his father, Stafford Mays, played for the Huskies before going on to a professional career. With a strong family legacy and ties to both Seattle and Los Angeles, Taylor Mays’ return home is sure to boost the Huskies' recruiting efforts. The program is already looking to build on relationships with local high school talent, especially with standout players coming out of O'Dea.
As Mays settles into his new role, the Huskies' defensive backfield will undoubtedly benefit from his expertise and his experience at the highest levels of football. The hire of Mays, coupled with the addition of Walters as defensive coordinator, puts Washington in an excellent position to continue building a formidable defense for the upcoming seasons. Welcome back to Seattle, Taylor!
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