Vanessa Taylor leaves Johnson C. Smith after 11 seasons as head women's basketball coach; she has been named the new women's head basketball coach at Division I North Carolina Central University
Charlotte, NC – After 11 seasons of continued success at Johnson C. Smith University, head women's basketball coach Vanessa Taylor is announcing her resignation, effective May 31, 2012. In 18 total seasons of coaching, Taylor has an overall record of 298-207 with six seasons of 20 or more victories. Prior to joining the Golden Bulls staff, Taylor compiled an 83-95 record over seven years at Elizabeth City State University.
The three-time CIAA Coach of the Year is moving on to accept a position as head women's basketball coach at North Carolina Central University, a Division I institution in Durham, NC. JCSU President Ronald L. Carter said her departure is a bittersweet moment for the University and the Department of Athletics.
“I am very sad to see Coach Taylor leave JCSU and would like her to stay,” said Carter. “We have been in talks over the past several weeks; however, the opportunity ahead of her is too great for her to turn down. I am extremely excited for her to rise to new possibilities at her growing edge and advance her career at North Carolina Central University. I always speak with our students, faculty and staff about seizing opportunities and embracing possibilities. I extend my congratulations and best wishes for a successful future to Coach Taylor.”
JCSU wrapped up the 2011-12 season with a 22-7 record, a return trip to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament Finals, and a repeat appearance in the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament. The Golden Bulls debuted at the No. 24 spot in the week 10 USA Today/ESPN DII Top 25 poll. This season, the team was ranked as high as No. 2 in the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional rankings.
Taylor was selected as the 2011 CIAA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year; her third time winning the honor (1998, 2000), but first time at Johnson C. Smith. She holds the mark for most wins all-time as the women's basketball coach at JCSU with a school record of 215-112; the next closest coach has 157 victories after 11 seasons. Taylor has never had a losing season at Johnson C. Smith with five seasons of more than 20 victories and no season with fewer than 16 wins.
“This has been an awesome experience. I've become a better athletic professional during my time here at Johnson C. Smith University,” said Taylor. “Opportunities such as these don't come around but so often in a lifetime. I'm confident that this is the right time for me to take the next step in my coaching career. I extend a great deal of gratitude to the University Presidents I served under, Dr. Dorothy Yancy and Dr. Ronald Carter; as well as the athletic administrators and our current Athletic Director Stephen Joyner, the alumni, the 100 Club, the outstanding assistant coaches I've worked with, the student-athletes I've coached and all other supporters of the women's basketball program.”
Taylor has guided the Golden Bulls to the CIAA Tournament Championship game on six separate occasions. JCSU finished as tournament runners-up in 2003, 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2012; but captured the first ever women's CIAA Tournament Championship at Johnson C. Smith in 2009.
“We are very appreciative of the 11 years of service provided by Vanessa Taylor and her coaching staff,” said Director of Athletics
Stephen Joyner, Sr. “I regrettably understand her desire to stretch her wings and coach in a different league. However, this is the nature of the beast within intercollegiate athletics. Dr. Carter and our administration proposed accommodations for her to remain with the University. Coach Taylor has done an outstanding job leading our women's basketball program. I hate to see her leave, but support her decision and wish her success for the future.”
Taylor will remain with the University until the expiration of her current contract on May 31st. A national search will begin immediately for Taylor's successor.
