Drake tabs Taylor defensive line coach

May 15, 2012 - 6:03 PM Des Moines, IA (Sports Network) - Dain Taylor appears well-positioned in his first collegiate coaching position.

The former Drake University All-America defensive end is the Bulldogs' new defensive line coach, head coach Chris Creighton announced Tuesday.

Taylor, from Highlands Ranch, Colo., was the Pioneer Football League's 2010 defensive player of the year as a senior, recording 13.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss, which both ranked third in the FCS. He was named to The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS All-America third team.

Taylor played for the Arena Football League's Utah Blaze this past season.

"Our defensive line has been coached exceptionally well the past two years," Creighton said, "and we are going to miss coach Casey Carlo. We had interest in our defensive line position from coaches all over the country and we ended up getting our very first choice: Dain Taylor."

Drake, coming off a PFL co-championship, will open the 2012 season at home on Thursday, Aug. 30, against Grand View.