Eric Sorenson
Editor’s note: long-time Centennial High School head coach Richard Taylor will be presented the Frank Kush Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Football Foundation in early March. Taylor discussed how he arrived in the Valley nearly 40 years ago, what it means to be presented with this distinction, and much more.
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Richard Taylor is an Arizona high school football icon.
It’s that simple.
Our Frank Kush Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and the only coach in the existence of football power Centennial High since its inception in 1990, believes his place in the game far exceeds drawing up X’s and O’s.
“The most rewarding thing about my job is the many relationships,” the 7-time Arizona State Champion said. “I have been fortunate to cultivate the players, other coaches, administration, families, and community.
“There is a special feeling when players who have graduated come back and support the team, and when parents tell me how much football has meant to their son, especially the boys without fathers who benefit by having good male (coach) role models.”
After coaching high school football in Ohio for 14 years, the Taylor’s, like many Valley residents, traded the the frigid winters for the warm desert in 1986. A few years later, he took an assistant coaching position at Peoria High School before transitioning to Centennial.
Taylor’s impact on Arizona high school stretches far beyond his 286 wins with the Coyotes.
“I am proud to say we were one of the first Arizona high school teams to schedule nationally-ranked, out-of-state games. Since then, many other area teams have followed suit and I felt we have helped put Arizona football on the map.”
This state, his school, and the name for this award all hold a special meaning to the coaching legend.
“I met Coach Kush and was very impressed with him as a person and a coach,” said Taylor. “I am very honored to receive this award on behalf of all the coaches and players from Centennial High School.”
