Downey native Taylor Calvert named head football coach at University of Saint Mary

Photos courtesy University of Saint Mary

LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS — Downey native Taylor Calvert has been named head football coach at the University of Saint Mary, returning to lead the program where he once starred as a player and later served as a longtime assistant coach.

The university announced Calvert’s appointment this week, elevating him from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Spires. Calvert has been part of the Saint Mary coaching staff for nine seasons overall, including the last five as offensive coordinator.

Calvert, a graduate of Warren High School, grew up in Downey before continuing his football career at Golden West College and later at Saint Mary. He joined the Spires as a student-athlete in 2005 and became a three-year varsity letterman, earning distinction as one of the few players in program history to start games on both offense and defense.

USM Vice President for Athletics Rob Miller said Calvert’s deep ties to the university make him uniquely qualified to lead the program.

“There’s nothing more exciting than being led by someone who’s worn a Spire uniform, understands what being a Spire represents, and has a shared pride in what USM football can become,” Miller said.

Calvert earned a bachelor’s degree in business and sports management in 2007 and a master’s degree in education in 2011. After completing his playing career, he immediately transitioned into coaching at Saint Mary, spending five seasons in multiple assistant roles and helping guide two top-20 NAIA offenses. During that time, he coached 13 All-KCAC selections and two NAIA All-Americans.

Following the 2011 season, Calvert moved to Colorado, where he served as a high school head coach and offensive coordinator at several programs, including Aurora Central High School and Gateway High School. His teams coordinated multiple top-10 offenses, produced dozens of all-league selections, and set more than 50 school records. In 2018, he was recognized as a John Lynch Foundation award winner.

Calvert said his vision for Saint Mary football centers on character, education, and leadership, with an emphasis on building a strong sense of community within the program.

“My goal is to bring back that proud tradition of brotherhood, to build a culture and family where student-athletes experience the same sense of belonging and support that shaped my life,” Calvert said.

Calvert returns to the Saint Mary community with his wife, Britney, also a Saint Mary alum, and their two sons. He said he looks forward to leading the program with a focus on family, football, and faith.

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic, co-educational applied liberal arts university founded by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and offers undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.