What a shock and sadness to learn last Friday of the death of legendary coach and teacher Dean Taylor.
It’s not often you meet somebody who as soon as you meet them you just know that person is very special, one of a kind. There are many names for this: charisma, magnetism, energy, positivity, confidence and kindness. Dean Taylor had all of those qualities, in aces and spades.
About 15 years ago, Taylor stopped at the Newsleader office in St. Joseph for an interview about his impending retirement. Editor/reporter Dennis Dalman recalls after conducting thousands of interviews in nearly 40 years, the interview with Taylor was one of his favorites, one of the most memorable.
As soon as Taylor began to talk, Dalman was stunned by the innately positive kindness of the coach. He radiated a powerful yet subdued energy; he spoke so insightfully, so intelligently about his life with the “kids” he coached and taught; he was so upbeat, despite the onset of an illness that would later claim one of his arms; he was imbued with a vast expansive love of life. What’s most impressive is Taylor wasn’t grandstanding or bragging. Quite the contrary. Those qualities (not to forget his humor and his beamingly happy face) were just “there,” a part of him. He was the very definition of a “good, kind, caring human being.” And there was nothing sappy or Pollyannish about his optimism, his positivity, his bright outlook. Not at all. It was all just there, inside him, sterling qualities that emanated from a born teacher who was level-headed, down-to-earth, no-nonsense. Innate goodness emanated from him. True charisma.
It’s no wonder he inspired so many lives – countless lives. He, along with wife Kathy, nurtured so many kids as if they were their own. They loved football passionately, went to all the kids’ games, spent time and money constantly on others. And, like all great coaches, like all special human beings, Taylor’s influence and inspiration went far beyond the rough-and-tumble game of football. In his coaching, he instilled almost subconsciously the rules and parameters for leading a good, positive, productive life – through thick and thin, win or lose.
As any of his classroom students or athletes can testify, Taylor was never bossy, harsh, negative or didactic. Most of his teaching and coaching was through example, through his innate nature that communicated so well, so instantly, to anyone lucky enough to have known him.
Taylor, the beloved innovator of Sartell’s football program, changed countless lives for the better. His life lessons, so subtly conveyed more through actions than words, are still very much alive, still beating in the hearts and minds of so many he inspired.
Very few people ever have that kind of widespread, salutary influence. Dean Taylor did. He was, in a word, extraordinary.
The Newsleader staff extends our heartfelt sympathy to his family.
