A veteran of the Texas high school coaching ranks for nearly two decades, Kurt Traylor is in his second season as UTSA's run game coordinator and offensive line coach. Now in his fifth year with the Roadrunners, he was the assistant offensive line coach in 2022 after serving as tight ends coach following his hiring on Dec. 19, 2019.
During his time in San Antonio, the Roadrunners have enjoyed the most successful four-year run in program history with a 39-14 overall record, 27-4 regular season league mark, two conference championships and four straight bowl appearances.
In his first season with the Roadrunners, Traylor helped UTSA to a record-setting season on offense that resulted in a 7-5 record, a runner-up finish in the Conference USA West Division at 6-2 and an appearance in the 2020 First Responder Bowl. The Roadrunners broke single-season school records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24) and also smashed single-game standards for total yards (624) and rushing yards (443) in a game in a regular season-finale rout of North Texas.
Traylor mentored the tight ends, led by honorable mention all-conference performer Leroy Watson, to a combined 23 catches for 289 yards while also helping pave the way for UTSA's potent ground attack led by All-America running back Sincere McCormick, who set single-season records for rushing yards (1.467), carries (249) and touchdowns (11) in 2020.
In his second year, the Roadrunners continued their record-setting ways, finishing 12-2 to set program records for most wins and best winning percentage (.857) in a season. The Roadrunners captured their first conference title with a 49-41 win over WKU in the C-USA Championship Game, were nationally ranked (as high as No. 15) for the first time and made their second straight and third overall bowl appearance when they faced San Diego State in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl.
UTSA broke school records for total points (516), points per game (36.9), first downs (320), total offense (6,146) and yards per game (439.0). His tight ends, including C-USA All-Freshman Team selection Dan Dishman, combined for 28 receptions, 357 receiving yards and three scores, and they helped the ground attack tally 2,569 rushing yards — the second-best total in program annals — and a UTSA-record 26 touchdowns. McCormick repeated as C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and improved his own single-season standards for rushing yards (1,479), rushing TDs (15), rushes (298) and all-purpose yards (1,663) on his way to earning All-America accolades from the Associated Press, FWAA and Phil Steele, as well as landing on the finalist list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award and semifinalist list for the Doak Walker Award.
In his third season on the UTSA staff and first as assistant offensive line coach, the Roadrunners finished 11-3 and won their second straight C-USA title. UTSA was ranked in the top 25 of all three major polls during the season and capped the campaign at the Cure Bowl, the program's third consecutive bowl appearance.
Traylor helped mentor an offensive line that fought through numerous injuries in 2022 and still paved the way for one of the most potent offenses in the nation. UTSA ranked 12th in the FBS in total offense after averaging 476.0 yards per game, including 300.7 passing yards per contest, good for 13th nationally. The Roadrunners scored a league-best 36.8 points per game, which ranked 14th in the country, and they piled up 362 first downs, the third-highest total in the FBS.
Five offensive linemen earned All-Conference USA recognition, led by first-team center Ahofitu Maka, who also was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and an Academic All-American. Ernesto Alamaraz, Walker Baty, Kevin Davis and Terrell Haynes all received honorable mention all-conference accolades.
In 2023, Traylor helped guide the Roadrunners to a 9-4 overall record, a 7-1 mark for a third-place finish in their American Athletic Conference debut campaign and the program’s first bowl win with a 35-17 victory over Marshall in the 2023 Frisco Bowl.
Traylor’s offensive line helped pave the way for UTSA to rack up 5,481 yards of offense — 3,248 passing and 2,233 rushing — and average 421.6 yards and 31.9 points per game. The Roadrunners broke the single-game school record with 643 total yards and equaled the program standard with 32 first downs in the 49-21 rout of South Florida.
Individually, three of his offensive linemen were recognized among the best in the American Athletic Conference in 2023. Terrell Haynes earned second-team honors at guard, Ernesto Almaraz was a third-team selection at tackle and guard Cory Godinet received honorable mention.
Prior to joining the Roadrunners, Traylor was the head coach at Tyler Lee High School for three seasons (2017-19), where he coached 2020 UTSA signee Jamal Ligon. The younger brother of UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor, he guided the Raiders to 14 wins during his tenure and led the program to its first playoff appearance in five seasons in 2019. His first season at Tyler Lee resulted in the program’s first winning record since 2008 and a victory over rival Tyler John Tyler.Traylor also started several different programs at Lee, including Adopt a Raider, Honorary Teachers Captains, BEAST Texas Passing Academy and the Coaches Outreach Program.
Prior to Tyler Lee, Traylor spent 17 years as an assistant coach at Gilmer High School. He helped lead the Buckeyes to three state titles, two additional state championship game appearances, 14 district titles and 16 playoff appearances.
Traylor was a key part of a staff that transformed Gilmer into a perennial prep powerhouse, serving as the offensive run game coordinator, offensive line coach and offseason coordinator. During his tenure, he coached numerous all-state players, including David Snow, a U.S. Army All-American who went on to star on the offensive line at Texas.
In his first year in Gilmer, the Buckeyes recorded their first winning season since 1996. In his second year, the Buckeyes won a district title and made their first playoff appearance since 1991. Gilmer repeated as district champions and made the playoffs again in year three.
In 2003, Gilmer posted a 13-1 record and recorded its first playoff win since 1991 while advancing to the regional final.
One year later, the Buckeyes turned in a perfect 16-0 record in winning the Class 3A State Championship. That squad was led by Class 3A Player of the Year Manuel Johnson, who went on to play wide receiver at Oklahoma and was drafted in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys.
In 2014, Gilmer posted a perfect 16-0 record en route to the Class 4A Division II State Championship. The Buckeyes boasted one of the most prolific offenses in Texas prep history, scoring 950 points in 16 games, the second-most in state history, and averaging 59.4 points and 536.1 yards per game. The Buckeyes topped 60-plus points nine times, including two 80-point performances. Gilmer also averaged 536.1 total yards per game (8,577 yards) behind a balanced 293.9 passing yards and 242.1 rushing yards per contest.
Gilmer’s two other state titles came in Class 3A in 2004 (Division II) and 2009 (Division I), before the change in class structure in Texas high school football moved the school into 4A. The Buckeyes also were state finalists in 2007, when they were the only school in the nation to boast two U.S. Army All-Americans, and 2012. Gilmer also advanced to the state semifinal round during his last two seasons (2015-16).
Traylor gained his first coaching experience on the collegiate level as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M in 2002-03.
Traylor began his coaching career as junior high football coach at West Rusk in 1995 before a four-year stint (1996-99) at Jacksonville High School as the offensive line coach.
Traylor played offensive line at Gilmer High School, Cisco Junior College and Southwest Baptist University.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Texas A&M-Commerce in 1995.
He and his wife, Katie, have four children, Allie, Rylie, Will and Kole.
The Kurt Traylor File
Coaching Experience
1995: West Rusk Junior High School
1996-99: Jacksonville (offensive line)
2000-01: Gilmer High School (run game coordinator/offensive line)
2002: Texas A&M (graduate assistant)
2002-16: Gilmer High School (run game coordinator/offensive line)
2017-19: Tyler Lee High School (head coach)
2020-21: UTSA (tight ends)
2022: UTSA (assistant offensive line)
2023-present: UTSA (run game coordinator/offensive line)
Playing Experience
Cisco Junior College (offensive line)
Southwest Baptist (offensive line)
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in physical education and health, Texas A&M-Commerce, 1995
Hometown
Gilmer, Texas
Family
Wife: Katie
Children: Allie, Rylie, Will and Kole