Jack Taylor is in his first season as an assistant coach at A&M-Commerce, handling the responsibilities for the Lion defensive line.

Taylor comes to Commerce from Keystone, Fla., where he spent the past year as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Keystone Heights High School. Under his guidance, the Indians posted a 6-4 record on the season, including a 3-3 mark in district play.

Taylor had a stellar playing career at Wingate University in Wingate, N.C., compiling 165 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. He ranked among the Southern Atlantic Conference leaders in a handful of categories, leading the SAC in tackles for loss in 2010 while sitting second in 2011 and was fourth in sacks as a junior.

A three-time Southern Atlantic Conference Player of the Week, Taylor was an All-Conference selection in 2011 and ranks second in Wingate career history in tackles for loss while sitting fourth in sacks. He played a key role in helping lead the Bulldogs to school's first conference championship in 2010 as Wingate advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs.

A native of Keystone Heights, Fla., Taylor was a two-time all-state and three-time all area selection at Keystone Heights High School, setting the program's career tackle mark with 446. He attended West Texas A&M University for one season, earning the Buffalo Freshman of the Year Award in 2008, before transferring to Wingate where he earned his bachelor's degree in communications.