By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor enters his fifth season in San Antonio with a mix of frustration, motivation and optimism. After a 2024 season he called an “underachievement,” Traylor is ready to steer the Roadrunners back toward conference title contention.
“To be very honest with you, probably left about three wins out there,” Traylor said Monday during Texas High School Coaches Association coaching school in San Antonio. “We’ve really been trying to fix the stuff we messed up last year.”
UTSA finished 9-4 in 2024, but Traylor believes discipline and execution cost them a few crucial games. While the offense returns most of its starters – including a healthy offensive line – the defense must rebuild from scratch after losing every starter.
One of the toughest stories Traylor addressed was the departure of wide receiver JT Clark, who stepped away from football to prepare for a possible NFL future after two devastating knee injuries.
“JT Clark’s name belongs with Frank Harris, Sincere McCormick and Rashad Wisdom,” Traylor said. “He was one cut away from still being in the league. He’s a phenomenal human and someone we should all root for.”
The Roadrunners’ 2025 campaign opens with a tall task – a road trip to College Station to face Texas A&M. Traylor is embracing the challenge and emphasizing “extreme ownership” among players.
“I’ve always picked the season motto myself, but this year I’m letting it evolve with the team,” he said. “You’ll probably hear ‘ownership’ in there somewhere.”
Despite challenges of the transfer portal and the NIL era, Traylor continues to stress loyalty both with players and coaches. UTSA’s core staff, including coordinators Justin Burke, Jess Loepp and Zach Brown, have been with Traylor all five seasons in San Antonio.
“That’s been the secret sauce, continuity,” Traylor said. “Loyalty goes both ways.”
Looking ahead, Traylor is proud of what the program has built – 46 wins in five years, five straight bowl appearances and a 29-3 home record at the Alamodome.
“No one in Texas college football has won more this decade,” Traylor said. “We don’t have the biggest budget, but we’ve got loyal fans and a great city. And we’re not done yet.”
