Taylor named head football coach

Joe Taylor was recently introduced as the 15th head football coach for the FAMU Rattlers.

Taylor, who has 25 years of experience as a collegiate head football coach, has spent the past 16 seasons at the helm of the Hampton (Va.) University football program.

President Ammons said on Monday: “We are extremely pleased to hand the reins of the Rattler Football program to a man the caliber of Coach Joe Taylor.

“We are confident that we have in Coach Taylor, a man of high ideals, great integrity and a person who commands the respect of his peers in the coaching fraternity.

“He has compiled a marvelous coaching resume, complete with conference championships, postseason appearances and one of the best winning percentages among active coaches in the country today.

“Therefore we are happy to bring Coach Taylor on board as the 15th head football coach in Florida A&M University history.”

Taylor’s contract will be for five (5) years at a salary of $225,000, plus a $12,000 housing allowance.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for three straight seasons (2004, 2005, 2006) prior to last year, Taylor believes that true professionalism and great work ethic are the foundation for a successful program.

The most successful coach in Hampton University football history, Taylor guided the Pirates to four Black College Championships, eight conference titles, a Heritage Bowl Championship and seven trips to the NCAA playoffs.

As overseer of the Pirates, Taylor compiled a 16-year record of 136-49-1 (.734) from 1992 through 2007.

His career mark of 197-78-4 (.713) places him on the national level as the third winningest active coach in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly I-AA) when ranked by total victories, and fifth when ranked by winning percentage.

Press release courtesy of FAMU Sports Information.