Troy Taylor had built an impressive coaching career, rising from the high school sidelines to leading Stanford University’s football program before his termination ahead of the 2025 spring season. Beyond the playbook and the spotlight, Taylor showed he was a devoted family man who pours just as much energy into life at home.
He and his wife, Tracey Taylor, share three children: Noah, Aaron and Ella. Here’s a closer look at the family behind the coach.
Troy Taylor’s Life Beyond the Playing Field
Taylor’s road to Stanford wasn’t exactly a straight shot. In 2015, he served as co-head coach at Folsom High School in California, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a remarkable 58-3 record over four seasons.
That success opened doors at the collegiate level.
He became co-offensive coordinator at Eastern Washington University in 2016, then offensive coordinator at the University of Utah from 2017 to 2018. By 2019, he had taken over as head coach at Sacramento State, where he quickly turned the Hornets into a formidable program.
In 2023, Stanford hired him as head coach.
Taylor’s work has earned him national recognition. At Sacramento State, he won the 2019 Eddie Robinson Award and was named Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year in both 2019 and 2021. His teams set program records in points scored, touchdowns and passing yards.
Still, Taylor doesn’t define himself solely by wins and stats. He often credits his family for helping him stay grounded.
“I’ve got a great family. A great wife. Great kids. And I get paid to coach football. It’s a miracle,” he told the New York Jets media team. “I did it for free at Folsom High School, and I’m doing pretty much the same job as I did there. And now they’re just paying me a little bit more money.”
Tracey has been by his side through every coaching stop. Together, they’ve raised Noah, Aaron, and Ella. While Taylor’s career often makes headlines, he has made it clear that his family is his foundation.
That bond is clear in how he speaks about them. While the Taylors have kept most details about their children private, it reflects a desire to give them a sense of normalcy amid a high-profile life.
Still, it’s easy to picture them cheering from the stands or celebrating together after a win. Before becoming a coach, Taylor was a standout quarterback at Cal and was drafted by the New York Jets in 1990.
MORE: Why Was Troy Taylor Fired at Stanford?
From Folsom to Stanford, Taylor’s rise has been steady and relentless. But for him, the true markers of success aren’t on the scoreboard—they’re at home. For Taylor, Tracey, Noah, Aaron and Ella are the real MVPs of his story.
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