Joni Taylor is leaving her job as the head coach of one Southeastern Conference women’s basketball program to take charge of another one some 900 miles away.
Georgia announced Wednesday that Taylor, a former Lady Bulldogs assistant who was promoted in 2015 after longtime head coach Andy Landers retired, is leaving Athens for Texas A&M. In College Station, Taylor replaces Gary Blair, who retired after nearly two decades as the Aggies’ coach and led them to the national title in 2011.
Taylor compiled a 140-75 record in her seven seasons as head coach at Georgia, including a 62-48 mark in the SEC. She guided the Lady Dogs to four appearances in the NCAA tournament but never advanced past the second round.
Texas A&M slumped to 14-15 in Blair’s final season, including a 4-12 record in conference play this year, and missed the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2005. Still, Taylor stressed the program’s historical excellence under Blair, which included eight runs to at least the Sweet 16.
“You are talking about a program that is rich with tradition and an institution that leads not only in the SEC, but in the country,” Taylor said in a statement released by Texas A&M. “I am excited to get there and meet the team and immerse myself and our family into Aggieland.”