![](http://skoyouthsports.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Kurt-Taylor-copy.jpg)
Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Kurt Taylor, I am the Head Football coach at Madras high school. I have been coaching football for almost 15 years, and teaching for 10. I live in Madras with my amazing wife Shandi, and two kiddos. Kayden (age 8), and Harper (age 4).
In what past capacities have you been involved in youth sports?
I have been involved with youth/high school athletes for about 15 years starting in the valley at Aloha high school. I was blessed to be apart of an amazing staff that kept core values, and player relationships at the forefront of everything we did. We had very successful teams and won a state championship in 2010. After Aloha, I also coached at Newberg High School, Glencoe High School, and Redmond High school before taking over at Madras.
What do you love about youth sports?
I love that youth sports create a foundation for young people to learn how to become better people. Sports generate so many amazing characteristics, and values in young people that they will have the rest of their lives. I believe that youth sports are the greatest classrooms for our youth in regards to building grit, mental toughness, perseverance, and the ability to be a part of a team that is working together to achieve the same goal. Youth sports allows kids to fail, and failure, when occupied with the right mindset, plan of action, and facilitation garners growth.
What is your specialty/calling/driving force in youth sports?
I believe that is my job to create championship caliber young people through the core values we have placed within our program. My ultimate goal is to generate future positive members of society. Within our program we call it the 4 for 40 rule. What can my-self, and my coaching staff do in the 4 years we have with kids to allow them to be the best person possible for the next 40 years of their lives.
What’s some wisdom you’d be willing to share with us?
I believe that if you are wanting to achieve anything great in life you must be willing to do two things. 1) Put aside your ego, and humble yourself (become a servant leader). 2) Be willing to fail and grow from that failure.
When a person understands that they can make a difference in someone’s life by placing themselves second, and allowing their ego to decrease they will have an amazing opportunity to become personally fulfilled by others achievements.
Secondly, if a person sees failure as an opportunity to grow they will overcome so many more obstacles in life outside of the sports arena.
Who has influenced your view/path in youth sports?
My greatest mentor in my career is Coach Chris Casey (Head Football Coach at George Fox University). Coach Casey taught me why its so important to generate core values as the foundation of a program, and how those core values if applied, and branded correctly can influence young people for the rest of their lives.
I also read alot, and listen to a ton of podcasts. I really enjoy John Gordons books, Justin Su’a podcasts, and Michael Gervais (mental coach for the Seahawks) podcast.
Anything else to add?
Just that whatever in life someone wants to achieve they can if they are willing to work for it, and gain the resources for it. Hard work is the great equalizer in all things…..