After seven seasons as Georgia’s head women’s basketball coach, Joni Taylor is leaving Athens to take the same job at Texas A&M.
In 2011, Taylor joined the Bulldogs’ staff as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach the following year. When Andy Landers retired in 2015 after 36 years with the program, he advocated for Taylor to take his place as head coach. Taylor would served as head coach at Georgia from 2015-22.
“Joni Taylor informed me she has accepted the head coaching position at Texas A&M,” Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said in a statement released by the school. “I want to personally thank Joni for being a great ambassador at the University of Georgia. From her Beyond Basketball group and involvement in many community organizations to her team’s successes on the court, her impact left a lasting impression on this program. We are forever grateful for the outstanding example of grace and humility she set for so many young women. I know these decisions are never easy, but we wish her, Darius, Jacie and Drew all the best on this new adventure.”
In seven seasons, Taylor led the Lady Bulldogs to four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Her decision comes on the heels of a 21-10 season for Taylor and the Bulldogs in 2021. Her team was eliminated in the second round of the tournament last week to Iowa.
While terms have not yet been announced, Texas A&M is expected to increase Taylor’s compensation considerably. Taylor was just extended six years by UGA last year. Her new contract increased her salary $100,000 to $850,000 a year but increased incrementally to $925,000 in the final year, not including numerous performance bonuses.
Taylor leaves Georgia with a 140-75 record in her seven years in Athens.