Norfolk State University Athletics

Cordell Taylor is in his third year as Norfolk State’s defensive backs coach.

In 2018, the Spartans ranked second in the MEAC and sixth in the nation in fewest passing yards allowed, at 149.9. The Spartans placed a pair of defensive backs on the All-MEAC teams, with cornerback J.T. Wahee earning second-team honors and safety Bobby Price earning a third-team nod.

In Taylor’s first year working with the Spartans’ secondary (2017), NSU intercepted 17 passes, tied for the most in the MEAC and 10th nationally among Division I FCS teams. Wahee earned third-team All-MEAC honors after notching a team-high four interceptions.

Before coming to NSU, Taylor served as the secondary coach at Savannah State University for three seasons. He also served two stints as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Hampton University. In 2013, he was the Pirates secondary coach, and in 2009, he coached the cornerbacks. During the 2013 season, the Pirates ranked third in the nation in pass efficiency defense and were 12th in passing yards allowed.

Taylor's coaching career started when he served as an intern with the NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder in 2007. He worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an intern in the scouting department in 2008. He also spent one season at Georgia State University as an intern during the 2010 season, working with the defensive backs.

Taylor has several years of professional football playing experience. Taylor starred at Hampton University from 1993-97, earning AP All-American and All-MEAC accolades in his senior season. He was selected in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars and played two seasons for the team. He was then traded to the Seattle Seahawks and also logged time with the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos before ending his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 2000. Taylor also played for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe, before heading to the CFL – where in 2001 and 2003, he played for the Edmonton Eskimos.

A Norfolk native, Taylor is a member of the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the NFL Retired Players Association. He majored in physical education while attending Hampton.