Taylor was a native of Harlem in New York City. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where starred in football and track.[1] He then matriculated at Tufts College—now known as Tufts University—where he played football and basketball and ran track, before graduating in 1927 with a Bachelor of Science degree. As a senior, he was named the school's best all-around athlete.[2]
Taylor served as the head football coach at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky for four seasons, from 1947 to 1950, compiling a record of 21–16–2. After the 1950 season, he was succeeded as head football coach by Big Bertha Edwards, who had assisted Taylor as backfield coach. Taylor remained the school's track coach.[5]