Although, not an Ashland native Taylor Housewright grew up in the city from a young age. His family moved here in 1993 from Texas at the age of 4 with his father David Housewright, Mother Terra Housewright, and his two sisters Meredith (7) and Chelsea (2). From a little boy on, Taylor, could always be caught outside in the yard on Sandusky St. He most likely was playing basketball in the driveway, throwing a football with his dad, or hitting his sisters with a baseball bat while attempting to get them to play a sport with him. He always had such a competitive nature trying to win in everything.  As Taylor grew up and started to play organized sports it was very apparent he would be something to watch as a future Ashland Arrow.

He began his career as an official Ashland Arrow playing football and basketball. As a football player Taylor’s journey began on the varsity team as a sophomore. Taylor’s senior year he passed for 3,528 yards, 36 touchdowns and rushed for 818 yards and 14 touchdowns, which led him to be awarded, first team all-state twice. Both years Taylor and the Arrows worked hard to make it to the state semi-finals. There was no doubt Taylor was a dedicated football player. Although he had many accolades in high school football he was most proud of the TEAM progress. Both his junior and senior year seasons as the Arrows quarterback, Taylor and team never lost a home football game in the regular season or playoffs. 

Taylor had always been an all-around athlete and his career as a basketball player for the Ashland Arrows was just as impressive. Taylor played varsity basketball for the Arrows as a freshman in high school. Taylor was named the most valuable player by his coach for his continued achievements on offense and defense. He was also one of the highest scorers during individual games. He scored 953 points total for his 4 years, which placed him 12th overall in history for the arrows. He was all conference for 3 years and conference player of the year his senior year. But in Tay’s mind the team beating Mansfield Senior at their new home to win the conference was the best reward he could have ever been given. This was the FIRST home loss Mansfield had seen in their new gym.

Taylor’s hard work and dedication continued to pay off when after junior year in high school the Ashland University Eagles offered him a scholarship to join the Eagles. Taylor’s senior year led to many visits and offers from other schools. The idea of being an Eagle always stuck in his head. One thing I know as his younger sister, Taylor was and is one of the most loyal team players and people you’ll ever meet. That feeling of loyalty led Taylor to become an Eagle in the 2008 football season. Once again, Taylor brought a large crowd from the community to watch him and his high school best friends continue to play football together. Taylor was a 3-year starter at the positon of quarterback. He was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic conference player of the year. He was a Harlon Hill trophy finalist finishing in the top five. This award is equivalent to the Heisman trophy but for division II. In 2010, He tied the school single-game record for touchdown passes being five. He also had 156 completions in 2011 and his last game of the season against Lake Erie he threw his career high of 330 yards. He started his 2012 season second in career touchdown passes, third in career completions and fifth in career pass attempts and career passing yardage. Taylor also was recognized in his final year with the eagles as the AFCA All American. This is the only award recognized by the NCAA in division II.

Even though there were many individual statistics and awards with football and basketball Taylor was always more proud about the team achievements. The things that drove him were the accomplishments the teams would have that he was a part of. Like, going undefeated during football, beating Mansfield senior at their new “shiny” gym and leading the eagles to their first ever-undefeated season in history. Being a student athlete was also important to him. He later went on to graduate from Ashland University with a sports management degree.

There was no surprise that Taylor’s degree and team dedication would be used to continue into coaching and molding young minds on the football field. Taylor’s natural instinct to help others and never take individual credit without mentioning his teammates, led him to become a wonderful coach. Taylor started his coaching career as a grad-assistant for Miami University. Shortly after found himself back at Ashland but this time coaching defense for the first time. He was very excited to work on defense and learn more about that side of the game. Knowing he would have to put in a lot of work before much pay would come, he was never concerned.

He continued to work his way up, working for many different conferences including the MAC, GLIAC, SEC, PAC10, Big Sky Conference and his current position in the Sunbelt conference. He landed his first Offensive Coordinator position at Montana State University where his first season they went to D1 FCS national championship. While at MSU Taylor also helped produce two of MSU’s four all-time best scoring teams, two of the program’s four best total offense seasons, and two of the best four rushing yards per game seasons. In 2022, Taylor and the offensive staff constructed the top rushing offense in the FCS. While living in Montana Taylor’s childhood home on Sandusky Street came up “for sale.” He purchased the home and has since been renting it out to families and friends in the community. He told his sister “It has always been a dream of mine to have a place that future coaches and families can live, enjoy, and grow up in such a great community like my sisters and I did.” 

Taylor is currently spending his time at Georgia Southern University in the D1 FBS in the Sunbelt conference, where he works as an advance scouting coordinator. He hopes to continue to help build the team and make an impact with his talents.

Ashland: Known as “A special place.” A slogan that has fallen very true for Taylor and his family. Taylor may have not been a native to Ashland, Ohio but I believe it is safe to say that he has earned his keep as an honorary member of the community.