After serving as the Nicholls men's basketball director of operations during the 2016-17 season, Matthew Taylor rejoined the Nicholls men's basketball coaching staff in June 2018 as an assistant coach under Austin Claunch.
Taylor returns to Nicholls after stints as head coach at St. Catharine College and head recruiting coordinator at NAIA powerhouse University of Pikeville. Taylor helped guide the Pikeville Bears to back-to-back Mid South Conference Championships, as well as the program’s best single season in team history (31-3). The two programs reached the postseason a total of three times with UPIKE making two appearances in the NAIA National Tournament, while St. Catharine made the tournament once. He also played a key role as an assistant coach / head recruiting coordinator at Union College (2009-10) and St. Catharine College (2010 and 2012).
In the recruiting circuit, Taylor has been responsible for signing 28 NCAA Division I transfers, including a national and co-national player of the year and three conference players of the year. Among the transfers, 25 went on to earn either all-conference and all-American recognition, highlighted by No. 1 prospect Jamar “Deuce” Briscoe.
Before coaching at the college ranks, Taylor served as head coach of Caverna High School (Ky.) for one season. While there, he coached the nation’s leading scorer - Mr. Basketball runner-up Mason Faulkner, and guided the Colonels to a district championship. In 2005, Taylor directed Rowan County High School to its 16th regional championship and a Sweet 16 appearance.
An all-region basketball player at Fleming Neon High, Taylor continued his career at NCAA Division II Virginia Wise where he played three seasons before transferring. He went on to graduate from Alice Lloyd College in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in history. Taylor earned a master's in education from Union College in 2011 and is currently pursuing a second master’s in business.
Taylor is the son of Ben and Ramona Taylor of Millstone Ky., and brother of Mark Miracle Ph.D. Taylor’s father was one of the original 16 Green Berets of the United States Military selected by president John F. Kennedy, serving for 23 years and was a pallbearer for President Kennedy.
THE TAYLOR FILE
HOMETOWN: Millstone, Kentucky
EDUCATION: Alice Lloyd College (2004) - Bachelor's in History; Union College (2011) Master’s in Education
COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE
2016-17: Nicholls State University (Director of Ops)
2014-15: St. Catharine College (Head Coach)
2012-14: University of Pikeville (Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator)
2010-12: St. Catharine College (Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator)
2009-10: Union College (Assistant Coach)
2007-09: University of Pikeville (Assistant Coach)
