Joe Taylor (American football coach) facts for kids

Joe Taylor (born May 7, 1950) is a well-known American college sports leader and former football coach. He is currently the athletic director at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. He has held this important role since 2013.

Before becoming an athletic director, Taylor was a successful head football coach. He coached at Howard University in 1983, Virginia Union University from 1984 to 1991, Hampton University from 1992 to 2007, and Florida A&M University from 2008 to 2012. Throughout his coaching career, he achieved an impressive record of 232 wins, 96 losses, and 4 ties. Coach Taylor led the Hampton Pirates to five national championships for historically black colleges (in 1994, 1997, 2004, 2005, and 2006). His teams also won eight conference titles. Because of his amazing achievements, Joe Taylor was honored by being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Joe Taylor's Early Life and Coaching Start

Joe Taylor grew up in Washington, D.C.. He finished college at Western Illinois University in 1972. After college, he began his coaching journey at H. D. Woodson High School in Washington, D.C. There, he taught physical education and coached wrestling, football, and baseball.

In 1978, Taylor moved to college coaching. He became the offensive line coach at Eastern Illinois University. He helped Eastern Illinois reach the 1978 NCAA Division II Football Championship.

In 1980, Taylor joined Virginia Union University as the offensive coordinator. Virginia Union is a historically black university (HBCU). After two years, he became the defensive coordinator at Howard University, another HBCU in Washington, D.C. In 1983, he became the head football coach at Howard for one season.

Coaching Success at Virginia Union

In 1984, Joe Taylor returned to Virginia Union University, this time as the head football coach. He quickly turned the team into a powerhouse. In 1986, his team had a perfect regular season. They won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship and played in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

His teams also made it to the Division II playoffs in 1990 and 1991. The 1990 team also had an undefeated regular season. During his eight years as head coach at Virginia Union, Taylor's teams won 60 games, lost 19, and tied 3. This showed his strong ability to lead and win.

Leading the Hampton Pirates to Glory

From 1992 to 2007, Joe Taylor was the head football coach at Hampton University, an HBCU in Hampton, Virginia. In his first three years, Hampton played in NCAA Division II and the CIAA. In 1993, Taylor's team had a perfect regular season. They reached the national playoffs and became the first CIAA team to win 12 games in a single season.

In 1994, Hampton's offense was incredible. They set a CIAA record for total yards. By the end of 1994, Hampton had won 23 games in a row against CIAA teams. Taylor was named College Coach of the Year in Virginia for his achievements.

Moving to Division I-AA and Continued Wins

In 1995, Hampton moved up to NCAA Division I-AA (now called Division I FCS). They joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 1996. Coach Taylor continued his winning ways at this higher level. He became the most successful football coach in Hampton's history.

Taylor's Hampton teams won five national championships for historically black colleges. These wins were in 1994, 1997, 2004, 2005, and 2006. They also won eight conference titles (three in the CIAA and five in the MEAC). His teams made seven trips to the NCAA playoffs. He was also named MEAC Coach of the Year three years in a row, from 2004 to 2006.

A Legacy of Success and Mentorship

The senior players on Taylor's 2006 team achieved something special: they won three national championships in a row. Taylor believed this 2006 team was the best in Hampton's history. He admired how they handled pressure and injuries while still winning.

Joe Taylor saw coaching as more than just football plays. He wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of his players. He often shared his belief that if one person can achieve something, others can too. He encouraged young coaches to follow the paths of successful black coaches like Sylvester Croom and Tyrone Willingham.

During his 16 years at Hampton, Taylor's teams won 136 games, lost 49, and tied 1. Many talented players from his Hampton teams went on to play in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). Some of these players include Kendall Langford, Justin Durant, Alonzo Coleman, and Jerome Mathis.

Time at Florida A&M

In December 2007, Coach Taylor decided to leave Hampton and coach at Florida A&M University (FAMU). FAMU is another HBCU, located in Tallahassee, Florida. When Taylor arrived, the FAMU football team had been struggling.

In his first two seasons at FAMU, Taylor quickly turned the program around. His teams had winning records of 9–3 in 2008 and 8–3 in 2009. The athletic director at FAMU, Bill Hayes, praised Taylor for improving the team. He noted that Taylor's solid plan helped the players believe in his vision and succeed.

On November 3, 2012, Joe Taylor announced to his players that he would retire at the end of that season. A few days later, he decided to resign immediately.

Personal Life

Joe Taylor is married to Beverly Richardson. They have two adult sons, Aaron Taylor and Dennis Taylor. He is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

See also

• List of college football career coaching wins leaders