A graduate of San Jose High School, he enjoyed an illustrious career at Stanford University, becoming the first person to participate in the Rose Bowl as a player, coach and athletic director.  He was a star guard for the undefeated “Wow Boys” that won the 1941 Rose Bowl.  Ten years later he returned to the Rose Bowl as a first year head coach, and at the age of 31, became the youngest person ever to be named Coach of the Year.  During his tenure as athletic director, Stanford won the Rose Bowl in 1971 and 1972.

A man of enduring repute, Taylor was inducted in memoriam into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.