PITTSBURGH -- Woodland Hills High School graduate and current Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor has been tearing it up on this season's "Dancing With the Stars."

One of the most dominant defensive ends in NFL history, Taylor has transformed himself into a dancing superstar.

"When I saw him on the 'Dancing With the Stars,' that was one of the biggest surprises," said Taylor's former coach at Woodland Hills, George Novak. "I never thought it would happed to him." Watch Novak's Interview

Novak said he praises his former Wolverine for his wildly successful NFL career and continuous support of Woodland Hills.

Last May, Taylor played in the school's booster outing at Grandview Golf Club, where he received the program's Leadership Award.

Novak said it's been great fun watching and seeing Taylor advance to the next round in the show.

"It's great to watch it," he said. "I like 'DWTS,' voting for him after each show."

One of Taylor's former coaches at Miami and current University of Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt said Taylor is a guy you can trust. Wannstedt said Taylor was loyal to both his teammates and to the coaching staff.

"He was a guy you could trust," said Wannstedt. "If he said he was going to do something, he did it. Not a guy you had to yell at. He was very confident, and he was always very trustworthy."

Novak said he's also impressed that Taylor moved his entire family to Los Angeles for the dancing adventure.

"He's got a great family. Wife and three kids," said Novak. "Had me over the house. Ordinary people. Great people."

After a recent practice session with his dancing partner, Edyta, the all-pro defensive end said having his family by his side has been part of his success in Hollywood.

"You go home after dancing all day, messing up, and the kids, it's great," said Taylor.

Because of this newfound success, Taylor is getting lots of requests these days, including potential movie deals and television show appearances.

"And for a guy who has done it the right way all the way throughout his career, to me, there are kids saying, 'I want to be Jason Taylor, and that's a good thing," said Wannstedt.

Wannstedt said he feels that Taylor has earned this moment in the spotlight away from his Dolphins teammates and he believes Taylor will be just as dominant on the field this season with the team.

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