CHCA AD Eric Taylor returns to Eagles gridiron as head coach

Scott Springer
Cincinnati Enquirer

SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP – A familiar face is returning to the sidelines at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy which is visible from Kemper Road and Interstate 71. Eric Taylor who is CHCA's athletic director will add an additional hat as he returns as Eagles head football coach.

Eric Taylor is now back to coaching football at
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in addition to serving as athletic director

Taylor returns to command as Mark Mueller, CHCA's coach the last three seasons, has new job responsibilities that will prevent him from keeping head coach hours. Mueller was 28-5 in three seasons, winning the Miami Valley Conference-Scarlet Division all three years along with coach of the year honors.

CHCA has won the league the last six seasons.

In eight previous seasons coaching CHCA, Taylor won four league titles, made it to the regional semifinals six times and the state semifinals in 2014 when the Eagles finished 13-1. His overall mark at CHCA is 77-18.

"Right now it's interim and get through the season," Taylor said. "I'm going to coach the season."

The current plan is for CHCA to search for a new coach at season's end. In the meantime, baseball coach Tony Schulz will serve as associate AD and the department has two other staffers to pick up the slack.

"We're going to make the most of it and give a good experience to our athletes," Taylor said. "I'm excited but it's going to take a lot of organization. We have a great team in the athletic office and we're confident we can make it happen."

Mueller previously coached under Taylor took over the program when Taylor left for one season to be athletic director/head football coach at his alma mater, Deer Park. He maintained the position when Taylor returned in 2017 as full-time AD. 

He will continue to have some presence with the Eagles.

"He's uncertain what his schedule's going to look like but he'll definitely be in the program," Taylor said. "We're excited about that and that helps. He and I know each other well and work together well."

CHCA coach Mark Mueller gets ready for an evening of practice with the Eagles on July 26.

Taylor holds a bachelor's degree from Northern Kentucky University and a masters in sports administration from Xavier. He's also previously coached at Summit Country Day, Indian Hill, Wyoming and Finneytown.

Three times he led the Eagles to one loss seasons with the best being their 13-1 record in 2014 when they fell in the state semifinal to Coldwater. CHCA was also 11-1 in 2013 under Taylor and 11-1 in 2008.

Coach Eric Taylor and the CHCA Eagles hoist the Regional Championship trophy in 2014.

CHCA is coming off an 8-3 season and returns first team all-MVC quarterback Cole Fisher who led the league in passing yards with 1,796 for 23 touchdowns.

"We return a handful of kids that have some good experience," Taylor said. "There are quite a few guys that are back that will do a really nice job. Coach Mueller's done a nice job of building a program. Guys are working their tails off every time I walk in the weight room."

New to the Miami Valley Conference schedule this fall will be Purcell Marian and Roger Bacon. CHCA will also play non-conference games with McNicholas, and Lexington Christian and Walton-Verona of Kentucky.

"It's always nice to line up and find out exactly where you are week in and week out," Taylor said.