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Carter Crosland could have given up. Could have thrown in the towel. Could have decided it was easier to sit on the sidelines and watch instead of getting in the game.

But Crosland, who was born without limbs, loved sports too much to simply sit idly by and watch others have all the fun.

"I'm a big sports fan," said Crosland, who was born with multiple congenital anomalies and rides in a motorized wheelchair. "Football, baseball … you name it. My dad's a huge sports fan. My grandpa's a huge sports fan. It was just one of those things I was born into, I guess."

That love of sports, combined with an unwavering determination, has led Crosland to Taylorsville High School, where the 26-year-old recently joined the football coaching staff.

Crosland, a Fillmore native and graduate of Millard High and Southern Utah, will coach linebackers on the Warriors' sophomore team and will serve as a "control coach," performing multiple duties for coach Johnny Matich and the varsity team.

"I know he loves being around and helping out," Matich said. "He really likes the team aspect. He's been 100 percent all-in since the day he got up here from Cedar."

Crosland, who worked with the freshman football team at Canyon View in 2008 and was an assistant wrestling coach at Cedar City last season, decided to leave southern Utah and move closer to his wife Stephanie's family in West Valley City.

One of Crosland's emails to West Valley area high schools found Taylorsville booster club president Gary Stidham, who forwarded it on to Matich.

"I was really impressed with him," Matich said. "He seemed to have some good knowledge of football and he has this big passion to be part of high school athletics. Any time I get involved with anybody who is passionate about helping youth out, I love to give them an opportunity."

Crosland attended SUU with aspirations of being a teacher and a coach, but about 90 credits in, the school lost its education credentials.

He graduated with a history degree and recently started working in the History Division at Hill Air Force Base. Crosland accepted the unpaid coaching position with the Warriors in hopes that it will lead to a paid position and, perhaps ultimately a head coach position.

"I've always wanted to be involved in athletics in some way," Crosland said. "I wanted to be a coach of something, whether it was baseball or football. Football presented the first opportunity.

"I'd like to be a head coach eventually."

For now, though, he will focus on the linebackers, and anything else that is asked of him. As a former high school wrestler, he can relate to his players, having the knowledge and understanding of commitment required to compete at this level.

But his message to them will include so much more. It will be inspiring and motivating. And, Crosland hopes, it will resonate with the teenagers.

"You can't let anything stand in your way," Crosland said. "There's been plenty of times when I could have just given up, but it's not worth it. It's up to you if you want to do something.

"Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. 'Can't' is a terrible word." Call him 'coach'

Carter Crosland, born without arms and legs, recently joined the Taylorsville High football coaching staff.

The 26-year-old will work with linebackers on the sophomore team and will assume multiple roles on the sidelines for the Warriors' varsity team.

The Millard High graduate wrestled in high school, and says he is a "huge sports fan." His favorite teams include the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Bears and Utah Utes.