Coach Profile
Travis Taylor
Building Systems That Build People
A Foundation of Structure and
Purpose
Travis Taylor’s journey is one defined by transformation, purpose, and intentional growth. From humble beginnings to his current role as a leader in collegiate athletics, Travis has built his career around the belief that structure is everything. “Structure and a solid foundation are essential, no matter the type,” he often says, a philosophy that has shaped every stage of his professional and academic path.
Currently a key figure in the University of Tennessee Football program, Travis plays a pivotal role in the team’s operational excellence and culture-building. During his tenure, Tennessee has achieved notable success, including:
🏆 2022 Capital OneOrange Bowl Champions
🏆 2023 Cheez-ItCitrus Bowl Champions
🏆 2024 College Football Playoff berth (first-ever 12-team playoff)
Travis also assisted in the development of elite athletes like 1st-round NFL Draft pick James Pearce Jr. and Kansas City Chiefs draftee Omar Norman Lott, continuing his commitment to shaping not just players, but professionals ready for the next level.
Championing a Championship Culture
Before coming to Tennessee, Travis served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations at North Carolina Central University. His leadership helped shape a dynamic, unified culture that culminated in winning the 2022 HBCU National Football Championship. He managed everything from day-to-day logistics and travel to coordinating directly with the head coach, ensuring smooth execution at every level.
Under his guidance, the program adopted a culture of accountability, teamwork, and resilience. The staff he helped assemble was beyond talented: it was intentional, mission-driven, and united in vision. These weren’t just operational victories; they were cultural wins, grounded in Travis’s belief that leadership is most effective when it’s both strategic and servant-minded.
Leadership Grounded in Learning
Travis’s leadership is built on a strong academic foundation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Winston-Salem State University in 2012, and a master’s in Public Administration from NCCU in 2015. His studies have consistently focused on governance, leadership, and systems —areas that directly impact his day-to-day role in college athletics.
Now pursuing a Ph.D. in Agricultural Leadership and Organizational Structure at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Travis remains deeply committed to lifelong learning. His academic research mirrors his real-world mission: building leadership models that create sustainable, thriving environments for athletes, coaches, and staff.
Creating Holistic Athlete Development Programs
Throughout his career, Travis has designed and led programs that go beyond the playbook. His initiatives like R.I.S.E. and P.R.I.D.E., center on preparing student-athletes for success long after their final game. From career readiness seminars and NCAA eligibility workshops to micro-internship pipelines and leadership training, he’s created spaces where athletes are seen as whole people, not just players.
He’s worked with organizations like the Jacksonville Jaguars to deliver life-after-sports seminars, bringing national attention to the importance of life skills and long-term planning for athletes.
National Leadership and Cultural Advocacy
Travis is the only HBCU representative on the National Teamworks Football Committee, a distinction that speaks to his advocacy for equity and innovation in the sports industry. Through this role, he ensures that historically underrepresented voices have a seat at the table in shaping the future of college athletics.
He’s also participated in top NCAA development programs, including the Life Skills Symposium, the Emerging Leaders Seminar, the Regional Rules Seminar, and the N4A Convention. These experiences have equipped him with an unmatched understanding of both the rules and the people that make collegiate athletics work.
Mentorship, Operations, and Excellence
At Tennessee, Travis’s operational expertise reaches every corner of the program. He’s managed budgets exceeding $50,000, coordinated travel and recruiting logistics, supported financial aid and branding strategies, and played a central role in issue management and emergency protocols. He has also taught freshman seminar courses and developed onboarding programs for incoming athletes, reinforcing his commitment to mentorship and systems thinking at every level.
Whether he’s managing operations or mentoring a first-year athlete, his style is consistent: collaborative, intentional, and values-driven.
Family at the Center
At home, Travis is a husband and father first. He and his wife, Dr. Artreya Jermigan-Taylor, a Doctor of Chiropractic serving the Knoxville community, are proud parents of twins Casion and Sania. His family is his grounding force and greatest motivation. They’re also a reminder of the deeper “why” behind his work: legacy, community, and service.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Travis Taylor envisions athletic departments that function as leadership incubators, not just for players, but for everyone involved. His mission is to build systems that outlast him: structures that prioritize growth, mental health, community ties, and long-term success.
In every space he enters, Travis leads with a coach’s heart, a strategist’s mind, and a mentor’s soul. His journey reminds us that with structure, adaptability, and vision, anything is possible.
Taylor’s Mission
“My mission is to empower student-athletes to grow beyond the game—equipping them with the leadership, life skills, and mindset needed to thrive in their careers, communities, and personal lives long after the final whistle."
