Coaching Search
In 2018, Sacramento State needed to make a coaching change with limited resources to invest.
Athletic Director Mark Orr was quoted as saying “we needed a new direction, a new voice, new energy for the program for us to be able to go and compete on a national level and compete for Big Sky championships.”
Challenge
With a limit on resources to invest in executive search services, Sacramento State decided to hire CSS to assist with a limited number of services, including research, identification and recruitment of candidates, and assistance with negotiation and finalization of an employment agreement.
Solution
CSS provided these services in an efficient and effective manner from start of the search to hire.
Results
Troy Taylor was hired in December of 2018. Since joining the Hornets, he has dramatically raised the team’s success. In his first season, he guided the team to a 9-4 overall record and a 7-1 league record, defeating two top-10 opponents. The Hornets shared the Big Sky Conference title for the first time in school history, and landed its first NCAA FCS Playoff berth. The team was ranked as high as third in FCS, and set school records for most points, touchdowns, and passing yards. A record fifteen players were named All-Conference, including a Big Sky-leading seven on the first team. Quarterback Kevin Thomson was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and one of four finalists for the Walter Payton Award.
Post-season awards for Coach Taylor included the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year and the Eddie Robinson Award.