Meet SHC Defensive Coordinator Taylor Stanley, the Unsung Hero Behind the Wildcats’ Success

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville High football is riding a 16-game regular season winning streak, thanks to effective and efficient play on both sides of the ball. Although Isaac Shelby’s offense gets much of the credit, the defense has also been dominant for years, with defensive coordinator Taylor Stanley leading the way.

Like previous seasons, Clarksville High’s defense has minimized its opponent’s ability to find the end zone during the 2024-25 season. CHS has held opponents to single digits in four of the six games they have played this year. Going even further, the Wildcats’ defense has allowed their opponents to score just 15 points per game since 2018, with downtown opponents averaging just 10.7 points per game against CHS.

Stanley is a Clarksville native who played wide receiver and defensive back for the Wildcats from 2004 to 2007. He was also a member of the 2006 Wildcat team that advanced to the TSSAA quarterfinals, the high school of Farthest Clarksville has ever reached the playoffs.

As fate would have it, Stanley’s high school position coach is current Clarksville High head coach Isaac Shelby.

“There was nothing like playing high school football,” Stanley told Clarksville Now. “I was fortunate to play for great coaches, Shelby, (Jim) Snyder and (Jeff) Tomlinson. Football has always been a big part of my life and I loved playing in front of my hometown, family and friends. Nothing better than Friday evenings in the fall.

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Stanley continued to play football at the University of Tennessee-Martin, and after graduation Stanley worked for a construction company in Alabama and earned his master’s degree at Georgia Southern. He initially planned to find a job outside of football until he received a call from his former coach, Shelby, who had just been hired at Clarksville High.

Opportunity to teach and coach

“Toward the end of my master’s degree, I felt a calling from the Lord to get back into football,” Stanley said. “I prayed about it for a while and stumbled upon an old high school teammate who coached Shelby at Northeast. Every time he got the job at Clarksville High in 2014, he called me and asked if I would be willing to coach with them. It all kind of happened at the right time. This gave me the opportunity to both teach and coach. Since then, I haven’t looked back.

For the past 11 years, Stanley has been the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator. His defensive philosophy focuses on fundamentals, toughness and doing your job.

“I lose a little sleep at night if I feel like we’re not playing the style of football that would make our community proud,” Stanley said. “It means a lot to me; I am a former student; there were 117 teams coming before this year’s team, and we want each and every one of them to be proud.

“I wouldn’t trade him for anyone.”

Stanley’s defense has allowed just 44 points this year and 73 points in 11 games last season.

No one is happier to have Stanley running the defense than Shelby. “I think Stanley is one of the best assistants in the state,” Shelby told Clarksville Now. “He is a tireless worker, an excellent coach and a great friend. Our program wouldn’t be where it is today without his contributions, and I wouldn’t trade him for anyone. »

Throughout his career, Stanley brought all his honor and brilliance to the school and the players. For him, that’s what it’s all about and what motivates him to continue coaching.

“Every player that has come through the program has left their mark on me,” Stanley said. “It’s always about the kids, and it’s your job to help them become the best version of themselves, and each of them needs something different. I just try to love the kids every day.

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