University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Shawn Taylor Named as Head Coach of Beach Volleyball Program
12/12/2019 3:53:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -Â Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain announced Thursday afternoon the hiring of Shawn Taylor as the school's beach volleyball coach. In just its second season, Taylor will take over as the first beach-only coach in program history.Â
"We are excited to welcome Shawn Taylor to the Southern Miss family," McClain said. "His experience as a head coach and his connections to the beach community in the region will allow him to hit the ground running and have a positive impact on our student-athletes and our program."
Taylor comes to Southern Miss after three seasons of leading the beach volleyball team at Spring Hill College, where he posted a 52-35 record. His 2019 squad finished third at the American Volleyball Coaches Association Small College Beach Championships.Â
"I would like to thank Athletic Director Jeremy McClain for the opportunity to guide the Golden Eagle beach volleyball program at Southern Miss," Taylor said. "It's an opportune time to be involved with the sport at an institution that is making a commitment to compete at the highest level. We will be working hard this spring and in the future to build upon the foundation of this young program.
"I am incredibly thankful for my time on the Hill and for Dr. Peggy Martin who gave me a shot. Together we were able to develop two programs that are well respected throughout the region and within their respective divisions."
Prior to joining the Badgers as an assistant coach with the indoor volleyball team at Spring Hill in 2015, Taylor spent three seasons at South Alabama. He helped develop three All-Conference players and molded Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Mechell Daniel. The Topeka, Kan. native spent two seasons at Arkansas State under Justin Ingram. Taylor assisted the Red Wolves to a record of 38-22 in that span en route to a 2010 Sun Belt Belt West Division Co-Champion mark and an outright title in 2011. Taylor coached four All-Conference players in his tenure with Arkansas State.Â
Taylor joined the Red Wolves after serving as the head coach at Independence (Kan.) Community College in 2009. Prior to working at ICC, he was an assistant at Valparaiso in 2008, where helped produce four All-Conference, three All-Region, two All-American selections as well as a defensive and offensive player of the year. Taylor was a volunteer assistant coach at Kansas State during the 2004-06 seasons where he worked with middle blockers and back row defense. His coaching career started at Graceland in 2002, where he served as both the head women's junior varsity and men's assistant coach until 2004.Â
Taylor earned his master's degree in college student personnel from KSU in 2006 and his bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Graceland in 2004 where he played for the Yellowjackets from 1999-2002.Â
"We are excited to welcome Shawn Taylor to the Southern Miss family," McClain said. "His experience as a head coach and his connections to the beach community in the region will allow him to hit the ground running and have a positive impact on our student-athletes and our program."
Taylor comes to Southern Miss after three seasons of leading the beach volleyball team at Spring Hill College, where he posted a 52-35 record. His 2019 squad finished third at the American Volleyball Coaches Association Small College Beach Championships.Â
"I would like to thank Athletic Director Jeremy McClain for the opportunity to guide the Golden Eagle beach volleyball program at Southern Miss," Taylor said. "It's an opportune time to be involved with the sport at an institution that is making a commitment to compete at the highest level. We will be working hard this spring and in the future to build upon the foundation of this young program.
"I am incredibly thankful for my time on the Hill and for Dr. Peggy Martin who gave me a shot. Together we were able to develop two programs that are well respected throughout the region and within their respective divisions."
Prior to joining the Badgers as an assistant coach with the indoor volleyball team at Spring Hill in 2015, Taylor spent three seasons at South Alabama. He helped develop three All-Conference players and molded Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Mechell Daniel. The Topeka, Kan. native spent two seasons at Arkansas State under Justin Ingram. Taylor assisted the Red Wolves to a record of 38-22 in that span en route to a 2010 Sun Belt Belt West Division Co-Champion mark and an outright title in 2011. Taylor coached four All-Conference players in his tenure with Arkansas State.Â
Taylor joined the Red Wolves after serving as the head coach at Independence (Kan.) Community College in 2009. Prior to working at ICC, he was an assistant at Valparaiso in 2008, where helped produce four All-Conference, three All-Region, two All-American selections as well as a defensive and offensive player of the year. Taylor was a volunteer assistant coach at Kansas State during the 2004-06 seasons where he worked with middle blockers and back row defense. His coaching career started at Graceland in 2002, where he served as both the head women's junior varsity and men's assistant coach until 2004.Â
Taylor earned his master's degree in college student personnel from KSU in 2006 and his bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Graceland in 2004 where he played for the Yellowjackets from 1999-2002.Â
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