Dave Taylor was a middle linebacker through and through.  Taylor played that crucial defensive position with a passion at North Muskegon High School, Ferris State College (now Ferris State University) and then the professional Grand Rapids Blazers.  He was a one-man gang for North Muskegon in 1959 at middle linebacker, offensive tackle and punter.  He went on to be a two-time most valuable player at Ferris and the ringleader of the Blazers’ defense.

Taylor brought the same tenacious mentality to the sidelines as a coach.  He earned his reputation as one of the great defensive minds in area football coaching history during his 16 years as a head coach at Muskegon High School.  He started his coaching career at Mona Shores before going to Muskegon as Larry Harp’s defensive coordinator in 1971, a job he held for nine years.

After a couple of seasons away from coaching, Taylor was named head coach of the Big Reds in 1983.  He led Muskegon to eight playoff appearances and Class A state championships in 1986 and 1989. He retired after the 1999 season with a 112-50-1 record, which ranks second in career wins in Muskegon High’s storied football history behind Leo Redmond.  Taylor is remembered for his insistence on the two D’s while at Muskegon – discipline and defense – which kept the Big Reds among the state’s elite programs.