Ball State University Athletics
Taylor Signs Two-Year Contract Extension
August 12, 2009 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State director of athletics Tom Collins announced Wednesday the signing of men's basketball coach Billy Taylor to a two-year contract extension that runs his contract through March 31, 2014. Taylor, who originally signed a five-year contract, is entering in his third year at the helm of the Cardinals for the 2009-10 season.
"Billy Taylor has done an outstanding job with our men's basketball program," Collins said. "He and his staff have laid a strong foundation for our program both on and off of the court. He has stabilized our program and has it moving in the right direction. We look forward to his continued success and are excited he and his family will be part of the Ball State community for many years to come."
Taylor, who finished second in the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year ballot, turned in the second best turnaround in the MAC last season and the 23rd best reversal in NCAA Division I as the Cardinals claimed a share of the MAC West Division title. The title was BSU's first since the 2001-02 season and marked its fourth MAC West crown since divisional play began in 1997-98. Ball State posted eight more wins in 2008-09 than the previous season and earned the number two seed in the 2009 MAC Tournament. The Cardinals also advanced to the MAC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2004 with a 64-61 quarterfinal victory over Central Michigan.
"I want to thank Dr. Jo Ann Gora and Tom Collins for this wonderful opportunity to continue to lead our Ball State basketball program," Taylor said. "I greatly appreciate the support and their show of faith in myself, our coaching staff and our student-athletes. This commitment by the University is important to our family as well as we have greatly enjoyed being a part of the Muncie and Ball State community."
Under his tutelage, BSU's student-athletes picked up numerous postseason awards last year as forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) was named the MAC Freshman of the Year, becoming just the fifth Cardinal all-time to earn the accolade. Jones and senior guard Brandon Lampley (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) also were named to the All-MAC Honorable Mention team.
"We have made great progress so far and had some achievements to celebrate," Taylor said. "I look forward to continuing to develop quality student-athletes and continue the journey of our program toward the NCAA Tournament. This commitment by the University is a sign of stability for our program. That stability is impactful for both our current student-athletes and in the eyes of future Ball State student-athletes."
Taylor spent his first season laying the foundation for the program, a foundation rooted in four traits - character, commitment, mental toughness and dedication. The Cardinals concentrated on Taylor's hallmark of defense in his first campaign as they finished third in the MAC in scoring defense at 63.9 points per game in 2007-08. In year two, Ball State continued its strong play on defense under Taylor's direction as it finished 16th in NCAA Division I in scoring defense at 59.7 points per game.
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