Florida A&M Coach Taylor To Step Down Effective Immediately

[superman7515]

Less than a week after announcing he would retire at the end of the season...

Taylor Steps Down (http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20121107/FAMU03/311070037/Taylor-steps-down)


Making yet another stunning move just five days after announcing he will retire from football at the end of the season, Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor has decided that he won’t wait another day to step away from the sidelines for good.

FAMU Athletic Director Derek Horne said Taylor informed him of his decision during their usual meetings Wednesday morning.

Taylor, 62, decided not to wait until after the Rattlers (3-6) play their final two games because he felt his announcement had taken the public interest off his team, according to Horne.

Taylor latest bombshell comes while the football team is preparing for its homecoming game Saturday at Bragg Stadium against North Carolina Central....

[WileECoyote06]

What in the hades. . . what a distraction. . . . . that benefits us!

[ASU_Fanatic]

I bet FAMU is going nuts right now

well, ever MEAC school for that matter

[Laker]

This seems so strange- why not finish the season? Is there something else that they aren't talking about? He had already announced that he would be stepping down at the end of the season, why not finish the last couple of games?

[superman7515]

This seems so strange- why not finish the season? Is there something else that they aren't talking about? He had already announced that he would be stepping down at the end of the season, why not finish the last couple of games?

They don't like losing seasons in Tallahassee.
Ken Riley: 6-5, 5-5-1, 7-3-1, 6-5, 7-4, 6-5, 7-5, 5-6 Fired
Billy Joe: 6-5, 9-3, 9-3, 9-3, 11-2 (playoff win), 10-4 (2 playoff wins), 9-3, 7-4, 7-5, 6-6, 3-8 Fired
Rubin Carter: 6-5, 7-4, 3-8 Fired
Joe Taylor: 9-3, 8-3, 8-3, 7-4, 3-6 (Best case scenario, they end at 5-6) Told to Retire or be Fired and left two weeks before the season ended because they told him retiring at the end of the season wasn't an option

The first losing season, you're out at FAMU.

[ITmonarch10]

They don't like losing seasons in Tallahassee.
Ken Riley: 6-5, 5-5-1, 7-3-1, 6-5, 7-4, 6-5, 7-5, 5-6 Fired
Billy Joe: 6-5, 9-3, 9-3, 9-3, 11-2 (playoff win), 10-4 (2 playoff wins), 9-3, 7-4, 7-5, 6-6, 3-8 Fired
Rubin Carter: 6-5, 7-4, 3-8 Fired
Joe Taylor: 9-3, 8-3, 8-3, 7-4, 3-6 (Best case scenario, they end at 5-6) Told to Retire or be Fired and left two weeks before the season ended because they told him retiring at the end of the season wasn't an option

The first losing season, you're out at FAMU.

And I thought Delaware fans were hard on thier coach.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

They don't like losing seasons in Tallahassee.
Ken Riley: 6-5, 5-5-1, 7-3-1, 6-5, 7-4, 6-5, 7-5, 5-6 Fired
Billy Joe: 6-5, 9-3, 9-3, 9-3, 11-2 (playoff win), 10-4 (2 playoff wins), 9-3, 7-4, 7-5, 6-6, 3-8 Fired
Rubin Carter: 6-5, 7-4, 3-8 Fired
Joe Taylor: 9-3, 8-3, 8-3, 7-4, 3-6 (Best case scenario, they end at 5-6) Told to Retire or be Fired and left two weeks before the season ended because they told him retiring at the end of the season wasn't an option

The first losing season, you're out at FAMU.

Trying to remember the weird circumstances around Joe's departure from Hampton.

[superman7515]

FAMU made him an offer while he was still at Hampton that was more than Hampton could offer. While coaching the Pirates he was 136-49 (.734), 4 Black College National Championships, 8 conference titles, 7 playoff trips, 3 time conference coach of the year, and won the Virginia college coach of the year beating out Frank Beamer, George Welsh, Rip Scherer, and a slew of other coaches.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I thought there was some other control issues at Hampton, but I trust you, Supe, on this. It looks like the moral of this story is: when you make a decision only for the money, it's probably not the right decision. Taylor could have coached his entire career at Hampton and been a saint.

[Libertine]

I thought there was some other control issues at Hampton, but I trust you, Supe, on this. It looks like the moral of this story is: when you make a decision only for the money, it's probably not the right decision. Taylor could have coached his entire career at Hampton and been a saint.
There were other control issues at Hampton. The HU president is heavily involved in the program to the point where it's rumored that he actually shows up in coaches' meetings occasionally. I think it's telling that, after Taylor left, the next guy only lasted a year before he bolted as well.
That's not to contradict the earlier post that FAMU's offer was better -- I'm sure it was -- but rather that Taylor had an existing incentive to leave.

[R.A.]

Holmes and Taylor are just trying to get his long time friend Holmes on the inside while he still can. this is clearly the job Holmes wants, so from a strategic position, it would be best to have him as a temporary Head Coach... a Temporary Head Coach who can boost his chances and getting a long term deal as FAMU's Head Coach, if he can win the last two games-- those two games being Homecoming, and the Florida Classic... the two most important games of the year.

It's a smart move by Holmes and Taylor.

Everyone influential at FAMu will be at these next two games.

The question is, can Holmes deliver?

If he can, he may have earned his dream job. at least for a year with the interim tag.

If he can't, he'll be out the door along with Coach Taylor two weeks from now.

It's a very interesting, compelling plot.

[813Jag]

They don't like losing seasons in Tallahassee.
Ken Riley: 6-5, 5-5-1, 7-3-1, 6-5, 7-4, 6-5, 7-5, 5-6 Fired
Billy Joe: 6-5, 9-3, 9-3, 9-3, 11-2 (playoff win), 10-4 (2 playoff wins), 9-3, 7-4, 7-5, 6-6, 3-8 Fired
Rubin Carter: 6-5, 7-4, 3-8 Fired
Joe Taylor: 9-3, 8-3, 8-3, 7-4, 3-6 (Best case scenario, they end at 5-6) Told to Retire or be Fired and left two weeks before the season ended because they told him retiring at the end of the season wasn't an option

The first losing season, you're out at FAMU.
Just want to point out that three of those four coaches lost to Southern in their last year. Doesn't really have much to with this discussion. Just wanted to point that out xlolx

[WileECoyote06]

Holmes and Taylor are just trying to get his long time friend Holmes on the inside while he still can. this is clearly the job Holmes wants, so from a strategic position, it would be best to have him as a temporary Head Coach... a Temporary Head Coach who can boost his chances and getting a long term deal as FAMU's Head Coach, if he can win the last two games-- those two games being Homecoming, and the Florida Classic... the two most important games of the year.

It's a smart move by Holmes and Taylor.

Everyone influential at FAMu will be at these next two games.

The question is, can Holmes deliver?

If he can, he may have earned his dream job. at least for a year with the interim tag.

If he can't, he'll be out the door along with Coach Taylor two weeks from now.

It's a very interesting, compelling plot.

We're going to do our best to get him fired. xsmiley_wix

[NDSUstudent]

I know a great OC that they can hire...

[superman7515]

I know a great OC that they can hire...

Unless he is currently or previously at an HBCU, little to no chance. One of the biggest complaints MEAC fans have is the number of "retreads" that just cycle through the MEAC/SWAC/CIAA over and over again without really improving anything.

[Humble Steward]

Unless he is currently or previously at an HBCU, little to no chance. One of the biggest complaints MEAC fans have is the number of "retreads" that just cycle through the MEAC/SWAC/CIAA over and over again without really improving anything.

This is so true Supe. I am glad that we decided to hire Brian Jenkins instead of rotating through the same cycle. However, I believe this time, FAMU may surprise us with their selection. Not willing to put any money on it though.

[superman7515]

Yeah, can Holmes win out, or at least split the final two games and look impressive enough to get the offer? Will FAMU go the same route they did with Joe Taylor and offer more money to Brian Jenkins at Bethune-Cookman or Connell Maynor at Winston-Salem State than their current school can match? Will they bring in a previous coach or assistant from another program or will they look outside of the current HBCU coaching ranks? The ball is in Holmes court for the time being.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Talk about a poison apple. Be a part of one of the best rivalries in sports, be better paid that pretty much any HBCU coach - but you have to WIN, and WIN NOW, or else you're gone. You have to look at it this way: if Joe Taylor can't make FAMU work, who can?

[813Jag]

Yeah, can Holmes win out, or at least split the final two games and look impressive enough to get the offer? Will FAMU go the same route they did with Joe Taylor and offer more money to Brian Jenkins at Bethune-Cookman or Connell Maynor at Winston-Salem State than their current school can match? Will they bring in a previous coach or assistant from another program or will they look outside of the current HBCU coaching ranks? The ball is in Holmes court for the time being.
There's another school with their eyes on Maynor.

[WileECoyote06]

Unless he is currently or previously at an HBCU, little to no chance. One of the biggest complaints MEAC fans have is the number of "retreads" that just cycle through the MEAC/SWAC/CIAA over and over again without really improving anything.

Lee Fobbs and (for now) Karl Morgan? Outside of the HBCU retreads who either failed miserably or aren't doing so well. Coaching is like teaching in that your outcomes are highly dependent on not only your own talent and organization skills, but the desire and will of those who you're managing. it works out sometimes, and other times it doesn't.

[GOODY26]

They don't like losing seasons in Tallahassee.
Ken Riley: 6-5, 5-5-1, 7-3-1, 6-5, 7-4, 6-5, 7-5, 5-6 Fired
Billy Joe: 6-5, 9-3, 9-3, 9-3, 11-2 (playoff win), 10-4 (2 playoff wins), 9-3, 7-4, 7-5, 6-6, 3-8 Fired
Rubin Carter: 6-5, 7-4, 3-8 Fired
Joe Taylor: 9-3, 8-3, 8-3, 7-4, 3-6 (Best case scenario, they end at 5-6) Told to Retire or be Fired and left two weeks before the season ended because they told him retiring at the end of the season wasn't an option

The first losing season, you're out at FAMU.

Yep. FAMU won the ever 1aa championship and that what they want is championships. It's going to interesting to see who the Rattlers do hire.

[kdinva]

You have to look at it this way: if Joe Taylor can't make FAMU work, who can?

great point............he did great things at Va. union in the '80's.........

[dgtw]

It was mentioned in the other thread the president is there on an interim basis. What happened to the old president?

[WileECoyote06]

He resigned due to the scandal and media scrutiny from the Robert Champion case.

[dgtw]

Is that the drum major who was killed?

[superman7515]

Yes. The President and Band Director were dismissed/resigned over that. The Athletic Director has been there for just two years now. And now that the football coach is also gone, there's a lot of transition for the program.

[Big Dawg]

Look, Taylor got the boot because he couldn't lead this program to the playoffs and his loyalty to an inept offensive coordinator(seriously, the OC just plain sucks)...he's had some talented teams during his time at FAMU including this years team. He didn't show the same fire that he had while at Hampton. He was brought to FAMU to win championships and go to the playoffs. He did neither.

The past two seasons have just been train wrecks...and this year was the final straw. There is absolutely no reason why this team is 3-6...NONE...Taylor is a very nice guy and great coach, but he blew his opportunity in Tallahassee...and yes, FAMU fans and alums are very tough.

[Big Dawg]

You have to look at it this way: if Joe Taylor can't make FAMU work, who can?

If was his fault...honestly, all Taylor had to do was hire a capable offensive coordinator...that's it.

Do you know we had a a game where our quarterback threw for 400 yards...and we only won by two points...I mean the playcalls in clutch situations were just baffling. Last weekend when we still had a chance to beat A&T after forcing a fumble...we ran draw plays...and this was with 5 minutes left in the game. And guess what, we had already burned most of our timeouts as we usually do early in the 2nd half.

And let's not discuss last year's Homecoming game in which we were up 21-0 in the 4th quarter...should've been up by 40...and instead of taking a knee deep inside our territory with about 30 seconds left...we run another play, fumble, and set up Howard's game winning kick. Things like that is what pissed Rattler fans off.