NORFOLK, Va. (Apr. 12) -- Blaine Taylor, an assistant coach for the past three seasons at Stanford University and head coach at the University of Montana from 1991-1998, was named head coach of the mens basketball program today, as announced by Athletic Director Jim Jarrett.
Taylor, 43, posted a 142-65 record in seven seasons as head coach at Montana, taking his teams to the NCAA tournament in both 1992 and 1997. The most successful head coach in Montana basketball history, Taylor earned national Rookie Coach of the Year honors in 1992, as well as being named Big Sky Coach of the Year. He served as an assistant coach at Montana from 1986-1991, before earning the top position.
The opportunities and the challenges of Old Dominion excite the Taylor family. In examining the quality of life, the people, the commitment and the future at Old Dominion, this scenario has jelled into a tremendous match., says Taylor.
I look at where Old Dominion is headed and our family really felt that we wanted to be a part of the schools exciting future. The Taylor family has been tremendously blessed with the quality of our experiences at Montana and Stanford. With these fond memories, we now move to Old Dominion where we look forward to blending into the community and being a part of that communitys future. We are thrilled at the prospects before us at Old Dominion, adds Taylor.
At Stanford, Taylor helped lead the top-seeded Cardinal to the NCAA West regional final this past season en route to posting a 31-3 record, which included an 80-64 victory over the Monarchs at the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico. The Cardinal were ranked No. l for six weeks this past year and advanced to the NCAA tournament in each of Taylors three years on Mike Montgomerys staff. The 1998 recruiting class was ranked the 6th best in the nation.
Blaine has played a pivotal role in our success during his tenure at Stanford, says Cardinal coach Mike Montgomery. He is great teacher, motivator, a great friend and he will be dearly missed at Stanford for this enthusiasm and dedication to our program. Old Dominion is getting an excellent coach, and someone who will become a tremendous asset in their athletic department and community. The success he enjoyed at Stanford and at Montana will now carry over to Old Dominion.
Taylors Montana teams posted winning seasons in each of his seven years, recording 20 or more victories in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997.
A graduate of Montana, Taylor was a member of the Big Sky All-conference squad in 1980-81, as well as an All Tournament selectee. He earned the schools Naseby Rhinehart Award as the Most Inspirational Player in 1981 as well as being named the Universitys most outstanding male athlete that same year. Following his graduation, he served as a graduate assistant coach with the Grizzlies from 1981-1984 and then as head coach at Loyola Sacred Heart High School in Missoula from 1984-1986 before rejoining the Montana staff.
Blaine Taylor is an outstanding basketball coach and I am confident that his expertise and passion will be the catalyst needed to create excitement, cultivate Monarch fans and recruit quality student-athletes, says Jarrett.
Blaine has the drive and energy to take advantage of Old Dominions enhanced potential resulting from the construction of the Constant Convocation Center and the strengthened CAA. He places great value on academics, sportsmanship and program ethics. I look forward to a great future for Monarch Basketball under Coach Taylors leadership, adds Jarrett.
Taylor earned a Bachelor of Arts in secondary education from Montana in 1981, and a Masters of Science in Athletic Administration in 1984. He and his wife Annie are the parents of four daughters; Amber, 21, a student at Fort Hill Junior College, Ashley 14, Alexandria 11 and Alana, 8.
He becomes the 12th head coach in Old Dominions 70-year basketball history. Monarch teams have posted a 1003-733 record since 1930.