Taylor Resigns as Head Baseball Coach
April 27, 2012MARS HILL, N.C. – Dan Taylor has resigned as the head baseball coach at Mars Hill College announced Athletic Director David Riggins. A search for a replacement will begin immediately.
Athletic Director David Riggins stated, “Coach Taylor elevated our baseball program to levels of success which we had never previously enjoyed. As he leaves MHC to pursue new challenges, we wish him continued success. He will remain a valued member of the Lion athletic family.”
Coach Taylor served in the position since 2002. In 2010, the Lions finished in second place in the SAC, their highest finish ever and received a first ever national ranking. Taylor received his second SAC Coach of the Year Award as the team made it to the SAC Tournament Finals. After taking the helm as head coach in 2002, Coach Taylor had a successful track record in elevating the baseball program to a new level. In 2005, the baseball team finished fourth in the SAC and set a then school record for wins with 26 overall and Coach Taylor was awarded the SAC Coach of the Year, the first in school history. Then the Lions followed up that success with an even better 2006 campaign winning a school record 32 wins and the school’s first appearance in the SAC Tournament Championship Game. He leaves as the winningest baseball coach in Mars Hill College history with 232 career wins at Mars Hill. The program has also produced seven All-Region players, 14 All-Conference players during his tenure and produced five professional players.
Coach Taylor came to Mars Hill from Frederick Community College (FCC) in Frederick, MD where he had a very impressive track record. During his six-year tenure as head coach he had an overall record of 160-77 (.675). His teams won the Region XX Championship in 1998, 2001 and 2002, made 3 NJCAA World Series Appearances including a National Championship appearance in 2002. Coach Taylor’s teams at FCC were nationally ranked every year under his direction. For his successful coaching endeavors Taylor has received many awards that include: Maryland Junior College Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); Region XX Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); American Baseball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); Louisville Slugger Regional Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches, Coach of the Year (1998); East District Coach of the Year (1998, 2001 & 2002); and NJCAA Division II Tournament Coach of the Year (2002).
Coach Taylor played collegiate baseball at FCC for two years and then transferred to USC-Upstate. USC-Upstate is a NCAA Division I institution located in Spartanburg, SC, and a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. He was a first baseman and outfielder during his collegiate playing days. Coach Taylor graduated from USC-Upstate in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Political Science.
Taylor stated, “I am very appreciative of the opportunity given to me the past 10 years to lead the MHC baseball program. I want to thank President Lunsford, Athletic Director David Riggins and the whole faculty and staff for all of their support and friendship throughout the years. Most of all, I would like to thank all of the players that have put on the Mars Hill uniform. You all have been challenged and pushed beyond where you thought you could be and I am proud of all of you and proud to have been your coach. After 16 years at the helm of two special programs, it is time to pursue other career opportunities and spend some much needed quality time with my family.”
