Coach catalog: Trooper Taylor and Ted Roof

Hey everyone. In my continued pursuit to bring you information you can get nowhere else -- even if it's pointless -- I now will share my thoughts about some of the Tigers' new football coaches.

I haven't met Tommy Thigpen. I still don't have a feel for Jeff Grimes.

I'll get through a few today. I'll augment as we move along.

TROOPER TAYLOR

• Job: Offensive assistant (wideouts)
  
  
• Age: 39
  
  
• Previous job: Offensive assistant at Oklahoma State
  
  
• Scouting report: He's a cheerful guy. Several times, I've happened upon him in the Athletic Complex and he's just singing to himself. He's a salesman -- always shakes hands and has something to say. High energy guy. He always seems like he's on a caffeine buzz. He's hilarious to watch with recruits. Taylor and fellow assistant Curtis Luper basically double team these guys. Taylor cuts up and Luper plays the my friend here is crazy role. Taylor uses a full-body laugh when he does. It reminds me of the way guys laugh in the NBA ... with arms and legs going.
  
  
• Best quote so far: (asked how important recruiting is to his job security) "You'll be planting fruit for a living really fast. I don't want to be on the grapes. I like doing the football thing, myself."
  

TED ROOF

• Job: Defensive coordinator
  
  
• Age: 45
  
  
• Previous job: Defensive coordinator at U. Minnesota
  
  
• Scouting report: You never know where he's coming from. He seems pensive at times, yet he'll crack enough jokes to keep him from being perceived as studious. I was surprised to see that he's only a few years older than Taylor -- they seem separated by far more than six years. Roof is old school. He clearly has been groomed by men who see football as a test of mental and physical fortitude. I don't foresee Roof being a big player on the recruiting scene. To be fair, I have a similar forecast for offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. I get the sense that Roof busted his butt "meeting the people" during his days at head coach at Duke (2002-07), but he doesn't seem inclined to do that now. It looks like strategy is his primary concern. He will be recruiting in Georgia.
  
  
• Best quote so far: (asked if he'll be head-butting players) "I might be the only guy in Atlantic Coast Conference history to get either a personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as a player, assistant coach and a head coach. Does that answer your question?"