Wright recently resigned due to time constraints. Leonard was Tim’s assistant on the LB staff and he’s looking forward to taking over.
“I believe over the past few years I have gained a lot of knowledge and confidence to take on this position,” he said. “Coach Wright allowed me to step in last year and take charge for a couple games. The coaching staff worked great together to make sure we all had the confidence and experience to take on the job when one of us is absent.”
Taylor figures to hit the ground running. He knows all the players.
“I have worked with pretty much all our veteran players, so I know what they are capable of and the leadership they bring to this team,” he said. “I have also coached these guys over the years and I believe it will be like any other year. I know from day one we will be ready to work hard so that we are successful when the season starts.”
Leonard played for LB as a student. Andrew Moore and Christopher Murray were his mentors and he feels like he learned a lot from them.
“These two had a huge impact on my playing career,” he said. “Coach Moore was always there to give me advice when needed. No matter what, he was there for his players. He gave his players a big leadership role and I believe that helped us on and off the field.
“Coach Murray I had the pleasure to know before my high school career started. He was my coach for travel during some of my middle school years and for one of my travel seasons during my high school career. He had built relationships with all the players through the travel program. I knew when I played for LB he was a great fit as the assistant because he understood us as players. These two knew how to use our team chemistry to our advantage and compete every night.”
After high school Taylor played two years at Virginia Western Community College, then went on to attend Radford University where he was involved with intramural soccer. He continues to play in an adult league.
“Soccer has always been a part of my life whether I am coaching, playing for a team, or just playing with some friends,” he said.
Leonard began his coaching career at Read Mountain Middle School in 2013. After three years he stepped down to further his education at Radford, but when Wright needed an assistant Taylor jumped at the chance and he’s been at LB since 2017.
“It was a pretty unique situation because the seniors that year were the eighth graders I had when I first started at Read Mountain,” he said. “It was a smooth transition and it felt like it was exactly where I left off at Read Mountain.”
Taylor is looking forward to the season and feels the Cavaliers will be more than competitive.
“I believe we will have a strong team,” he said. “Being around the program and these players I know their strengths and weaknesses. I really believe in the talent that we have in this program and I’m very excited to get this new chapter started with this program and watch these boys succeed on and off the field.”
