LARAMIE — Tom Burman was adamant about his desire to bring in a new offensive coordinator who has a history of developing quarterbacks. Wyoming’s longtime Athletics Director said his other requirement is real simple — score.
Jay Sawvel couldn’t have said that better himself.
The top decision makers in the Cowboy football program think they found their man.
Christian Taylor is set to become the team’s new playcaller after spending the previous two seasons on the staff of the Buffalo Bills. Though his official title is defensive assistant and offensive advisor, the Virginia native spent 16 years at the collegiate level, tutoring signal callers and leading balanced attacks.
“Christian Taylor has a great football mind and has had success at two different schools as an offensive coordinator and has great experience in the National Football League,” Sawvel said in a statement. “He has coached on both sides of the ball and what is impressive is how he utilizes his players and his diversity in the run game as those are areas where we feel we need to make great improvements in this program.”
“I’m fired up for this opportunity and have always been attracted to the Cowboy Football program with its physicality and toughness,” Taylor said. “I also admire the grit of the program, as it is something that resonates with me and something I believe in. My family and I are ready to get to Wyoming and get involved in the community and explore this beautiful state.
“I’m excited to be a part of the culture that Wyoming Football has developed, as it is truly a great fit.”
Taylor, who spent his college days under center at William & Mary (2002-06), will replace Jovon Bouknight, who took the reins of the Cowboy offense from Jay Johnson before a Week-8 meeting with rival Colorado State.
Bouknight is still on staff and will coach wide receivers in 2026.
Sawvel officially interviewed two potential coordinators, according to a source familiar with the situation, but Taylor was his first choice. He flew to Buffalo two days after early signing day to interview the veteran assistant. Sawvel was immediately attracted to Taylor’s intelligence, along with his creativity and innovation, that same source indicated.
Taylor, 41, whose primary responsibility is breaking down opposing offenses and tendencies, is currently on staff with fellow William & Mary alums, offensive coordinator Joe Brady and head coach Sean McDermott. That school has produced a number of NFL coaches, including Mike Tomlin of the Steelers and Dan Quinn of the Commanders. Hall of Famer Marv Levy, who briefly attended UW and played football, was the head coach of the Tribe from 1964-68.
Taylor will reportedly have the opportunity to finish out the season with the Bills, who are led by former Wyoming standout and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Josh Allen.
The latter also reportedly gave his stamp of approval on the hire.
“It needs to be somebody who has a strong versatility in the run game,” Sawvel said of his own requirements in an OC back in early December. “We have to help our offensive line. We have to be able to utilize angles and motions and formations and to be able to try to create advantages for us, numerically, at times.”
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Before transitioning to the NFL, Taylor served as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach at his alma mater, leading the Tribe from 2020-23. Some of the highlights during that four-year stretch include single season school records in rushing yards (3,455), rushing yards per game (265.8) and rushing yards per carry (5.9). During that same 2022 season, his offense averaged 33.5 points per game while rolling up 448.8 yards an outing.
Quarterback Darius Wilson also connected on better than 63% of his throws while amassing 2,286 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air. He added 532 more on the ground to go along with four scores.
William & Mary finished No. 8 in the national FCS polls with an 11-2 record. The Tribe eventually fell to Montana State in the quarterfinals.
How did Taylor follow up that performance?
He was named the FCS Assistant Coach of the Year after his unit once again featured one of the most potent running attacks in the nation. Three running backs — Malachi Imoh, Bronson Yoder and Martin Lucas — combined to rush for 1,524 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wilson added 1,568 passing yards and 377 more with his legs.
Prior to his time in Williamsburg, Taylor spent four years at the University of San Diego (2016-19) where he served as a wide receivers coach and eventually the playcaller and quarterbacks coach.
There he coached three Walter Payton Award finalists. That honor is given to the most outstanding offensive FCS player. Quarterbacks Anthony Lawrence (12,628 career passing yards, 120 touchdowns) and Reid Sinnett (3,528 career passing yards, 32 touchdowns) made the cut. So did receiver Michael Bandy (192 catches, 3,294 career receiving yards, 28 touchdowns).
Taylor, who was a finalist for the 2018 FCS Coordinator of the Year, also coached four All-Americans at USD, including current Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid.
The Toreros had an overall record of 38-11 during Taylor’s tenure in southern California. In the Pioneer Football League, San Diego was a perfect 32-0. That streak eventually reached 39 in a row, the longest conference winning streak in the FCS and the third-longest in college football history (Oklahoma 44, Nebraska 40).
Taylor also made stops at Illinois Wesleyan (2014-15), along with Michigan (2011) and San Diego State (2010), where he served on Brady Hoke’s staff.
Wyoming averaged just 16 points per game last fall, landing 129th out of 134 FBS programs. The Cowboys’ offense scored just 24 points over the final four weeks of the season. Red-zone woes plagued that unit throughout the year, too. In 25 trips inside the opposing 20-yard line, just 17 of those resulted in points, including four field goals.
That was the worst percentage in the Mountain West.
Kaden Anderson completed 56% of his throws and tossed 12 touchdowns to go along with 10 interceptions. Out of 332 qualifying quarterbacks, Anderson capped his sophomore season at No. 325 in the country, according to Pro Football Focus, finishing with an overall grade of 49.4 out of 100. The Cowboys averaged just 183 yards per game through the air.
The run game, led by true freshman Samuel Harris, also averaged only 131.3 yards per game.
Sawvel said in early December he wants to get back to averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground, something this program hasn’t accomplished since ’22, pointing out the offense this season had just eight drives in 12 games that took more than five minutes off the clock.
“That’s insane, right? Like, that’s not a recipe to win any football game,” he continued.
The focus now shifts to the NCAA Transfer Portal for Sawvel and his staff. His wish list includes a quarterback, multiple offensive linemen, receivers and a running back. Wyoming is also now in the market for a defensive tackle and a safety, among other positions.
Taylor’s Coaching Experience
2024-26 Buffalo Bills- Offensive Advisor/Defensive Assistant
2020-23 William & Mary – Offensive Coordinator
2018-19 San Diego – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
2016-17 San Diego – Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach
2014-15 Illinois Wesleyan – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
2012-13 San Diego – Running Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
2011 Michigan – Offensive Analyst
2010 San Diego State – Offensive Analyst
2008-09 William & Mary – Quarterbacks/Tight Ends/Kickers Coach
The two-week transfer window is set to open Jan. 2.
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