UTSA Coach Jeff Traylor Gets Injured By His Own Motivational Tactic
A unique method UTSA football coach Jeff Traylor used to keep his team focused ended up literally injuring him.
The Roadrunners defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls 36-10 Saturday, marking their third straight win. UTSA started the year rather slowly but seemed to have found an identity during this stretch of victories.
Traylor saw this quick rebound as an opportunity to make sure his team stayed focused during this turnaround. Most coaches would just state some sort of catchy mantra for his team to remember, but Traylor got a little creative.
Jeff Traylor's motivational tactic backfired on him in a rather painful way. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
He placed 112 mice traps with cheese around his locker room - unloaded, to ensure no one got hurt. The unorthodox visual aid portrays the message, “Don’t Eat The Cheese.” The idea is that Traylor doesn’t want his team to be satisfied with the streak and soak up all the positive attention. He wants them to aim for higher goals.
A clever concept for sure, one that likely has Jerry and Mickey Mouse drooling. But things took a bad turn thanks to a mischievous idea for an upperclassman.
“We unloaded all of them, but one of my smart aleck seniors loaded his back up and put it on the podium where I speak to the kids and I put my hand there,” Traylor said.
Unfortunately for Traylor, the plan worked to perfection. But he’s taking the injury in stride like a champ.
“It looks like my pinky got smashed by a hammer,” Jeff Traylor said. “It woulda killed a lesser man, but I’m okay.”
Who knew motivating your team could be so painful?
The Roadrunners Are Used To Jeff Traylor's Tactics
Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time that Traylor has employed this tactic in his UTSA career.
The Roadrunners defeated the Texas State Bobcats 51-48 in double overtime to open the 2020 season. ESPN covered the emotional win, giving UTSA a level of media exposure it doesn’t normally receive.
That’s when Traylor used this same tactic to make sure his team didn’t get too wrapped up in that one game. However, he wasn’t a complete downer and made sure to give ample praise for what his team had done.
“It’s just something silly to remind the kids, don’t listen to all the stuff,” Traylor said. “I’m so thrilled for them. No one deserves it more. It’s like a UTSA highlight video on ESPN right now. That’s a lot for young men.”
What’s not a lot, however, is coming up with pranks. Fortunately, Taylor didn’t seem to mind that much, smashed finger and all.