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Robinson High School 6311 S. Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33616
Volume 58, issue 2 | November 27, 2017
20 years of games, now on to family
news
Whats inside • Robinson hosts career fair for the Great American Teach In
pg 2
opinion
• Find out why staffers are frustrated with college board
sports
By Macy McClintock Managing Editor
• Read about the volleyball team’s success and the forecast for the girls soccer season
pg 3
feature
pg 4
• Check out the Humans of RHS
A&E
pg 6
pg 4
• Pop singer Dua Lipa makes her debut with her self-titled album
Extended Coverage on RHStoday.com Slideshows, inforgraphics and more are in our online story of Shawn Taylor. Use Snapchat camera to read the story using this QR code.
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Head football coach Shawn Taylor resigns his coaching position to focus on family, leaves a long Robinson legacy
or the past 20 years, former head football coach Shawn Taylor has dedicated his life to Robinson football. From his time as a tackle center and offensive guard, to coming back as an assistant coach throughout his college years to eventually taking the head coach position, Taylor has lived and breathed Robinson football. But even though he’s been on Jack Peters Field for 24 years, his favorite football memory doesn’t even involve football. When Taylor’s grandfather was dying of cancer in 2013, Taylor went to the hospital every day after school to him. During that same time of his grandfather’s struggle, Taylor was offered the full time coaching job. His grandfather spent two months in the hospital while cancer spread throughout his entire body. Even though Taylor would talk to him every day, his grandfather never smiled; it by no means was a happy time. But on that one February day that Taylor announced he was the new face of the Robinson football coaching staff, a smile crept across his grandfather’s face. His grandpa died two weeks later. “That’s the happiest I ever saw him. That day (that I told him I got the head coaching position). It’s weird but that’s the main thing that sticks out, how happy it made my grandpa that I got the job before he died,” Taylor said. “He never got to see me coach a game, but he was the most elated he could be when he was on his deathbed.” Family has always been the top priority for Taylor, but the head coaching position has been an obstacle in giving full attention to his wife and two girls, which is the reasoning behind his decision to step down. “I’m excited about little stuff, like helping my daughter with homework and her projects because usually I get home from practice and it’s 30 minutes till bedtime, and my wife’s done all that,” Taylor said. “Usually I don’t eat with them, I eat by myself.” Taylor is a “family man” built in stone, with both his blood family and his Robinson family. Throughout his coaching career, only two players have gone on to pay their mortgage with
football, yet his coaching techniques have built all-around men, not just all-around players ready for the next level. “I try to tell them that football won’t last long,” Taylor said. “You play and it’s over, but education is forever, grades are important.” Because Taylor has always focused on more than just the 100 yards of the football field, he has formed inseparable bonds with his players. “Taylor was a phenomenal coach. If it weren’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today. He put pressure on me as a student first and athlete second,” said Malik Tyson (’16), quarterback and redshirt freshman for Florida International University. “He taught me what it took to be a leader on and off the field and I think that is what prepared me most for college.” And
that’s the way all his players see him. His past players remain in contact with him; they know they can talk to him about anything. “He was
there for me through thick or thin, whenever I needed to talk he was there or at least a phone call away.” Tyson said. “We definitely are still in touch, someone like that doesn’t just disappear from your life.” As of now, Taylor doesn’t plan on going anywhere. Robinson has always been a part of his life and he has every intention to keep it that way. But, because his teaching contract is bound to his coaching contract, he may have to give up his spot depending on who is the new hired coach. Taylor is just excited to finally dedicate time to the most important aspect if his life, his family. “Seven days a week, 24 hours. It (Coaching) never ends. I’ve been on vacation and I’m on a phone call with a parent for an hour. I mean, it’s year-round. Even at home on the computer, I’m watching film,” Taylor said. “I just want to be able to get ice cream with my daughters after school Friday and see how that is. Leaving coaching is like leaving home to go to college- it’s sad but it’s got to happen.” photo by m
. mccli ntock