Taylor Hennigan is in his first season as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb University and will serve as Special Teams Coordinator as well as cornerbacks coach for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
Hennigan joined the GWU staff after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Tennessee Tech. He worked with special teams and outside linebackers for the Golden Eagles, helping Tech to one of the biggest turnarounds in FCS nationally in 2019.
Kicker Nick Madonia was sharp during Henningan’s first season, hammering 15 field goals and making 21 PAT kicks to lead the Golden Eagles with 66 points. Madonia made five kicks of 45+ yards and three 50+ yard field goals. He also averaged 40.7 yards per punt on 23 attempts.
In 2019, return man Metrius Fleming was electric, earning All-OVC Newcomer Team honors as well as second-team All-OVC honors as a return specialist. Fleming totaled more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and averaged 26.5 yards per kickoff return – including a touchdown return of 91 yards.
Prior to returning to Tennessee Tech, Hennigan coached in the high school ranks at White County (Tenn.) High. He worked under Coach Watson Brown as an assistant at Tennessee Tech for a stint after graduation.
As a student-athlete, Hennigan was a part of Tennessee Tech’s 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Championship run, playing with current GWU head coach Tre Lamb on that team.
During his career with the Golden Eagles, Hennigan played receiver, safety and long snapper as a four-year letterwinner. He played quarterback and five other positions as a three-year starter at Cookeville (Tenn.) High before playing for Tennessee Tech.
Coaching runs in the family for Hennigan. His father, Mike Hennigan, was head coach at Tennessee Tech from 1996-2005 after serving as defensive coordinator at the school from 1986-1995. The elder Hennigan also played for the Detroit Lions and New York Jets in the NFL, following a successful playing career at Tennessee Tech – where he helped the Golden Eagles to the 1972 OVC crown.
The younger Hennigan graduated from Tennessee Tech in 2013 with a degree in exercise science, physical education and wellness.
He and his wife, Hailey, have a daughter, Ruth Ann.
