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Dr. Hunter A. Taylor

Twitter: @DrHunterTaylor

Biography

Dr. Hunter A. Taylor is the founding director of the Mississippi Excellence in Coaching Fellowship, also known as Tomorrow’s 25. This innovative initiative, which partners the University of Mississippi (UM) with the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA), is a year-long fellowship for a select group of 25 coaches from across the state who have demonstrated a positive, long-term commitment to the student-athletes in their communities.

In addition to How to Build a Thick Institution, that he co-authored with Coach Cutcliffe, Taylor released his second book, Draw the Line: Jeff Traylor, the Gilmer Buckeyes, and a Season Deep in the Heart of East Texas, in the summer of 2022. In it, he examines the impact a high school football staff made in three different rural East Texas communities over the course of 30 years. The book is told through the lens of current UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor and his long-time colleagues. 

In 2018, Taylor was one of 59 leaders from across the U.S. to be named a Presidential Leadership Scholar by the Bush Institute and the Clinton Foundation for his work in education. In 2022, nominated by his students at UM, Taylor was one of three finalists for Professor of the Year. And in 2023, he was identified as one of the state’s Top 40 Leaders Under the Age of 40 by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Originally from East Texas, Taylor and his wife, Brittany, along with their three sons, Yates, Simms, & Knox, now call Oxford home.

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Education

  • BBA, The University of Texas at Austin, 2005

  • MAT, The University of Mississippi, 2008

  • EdD, Baylor University, 2017

Coaching Experience (Middle School, High School, College, & International)

Year, Institution 

2007-08, Powell Middle School (MS)

2009-10, Bishop O’Connell High School (VA)

2010-11, Trinity University (TX)

2011-13, Spring Hill High School (TX)

2013-16, Baylor University (TX)

2014-15 (Summer), Athletes in Action (Mexico & Puerto Rico)

2016-17, Arkansas State University (AR)  

Notable Teams

2008 Jackson City Champions* (Powell)

2009-10 Virginia Independent State Champions (O’Connell)  

2011-12 District, Bi-District, & Area Champions** (Spring Hill)

2013-16 Three NCAA Tournament Appearances, One Sweet 16 Appearance (Baylor)

2016-17 Largest Turnaround in Division 1 (Arkansas State)  

*Served as Head Coach

**Awarded District 16-3A Coach of the Year             

 

In the News:

“Music Memories Inspire Podcast by UM Professor, Alumnus”

OLE MISS UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI NEWS - JUNE 16, 2021

“Interview with Hunter Taylor”

CHOOSE Champions: Educator Fellows - October 14, 2020

“PLS Spotlight: Hunter Taylor”

Presidential Leadership Scholars - February 18, 2020

“The School of Education's Alumni Magazine Features MTC Alumni”

Mississippi Teacher corps - November 14, 2018

“MS Teacher Corps recruiter selected for prestigious Presidential Leadership Scholars program”

The Oxford Eagle - March 18, 2018

“Education Professor Named Presidential Leadership Scholar”

Ole Miss University of Mississippi News - March 13, 2018

“McCasland Announces Hiring of Taylor as Director of Basketball Operations”

Arkansas state Red wolves - April 5, 2016

“Spring Hill boys basketball coach Hunter Taylor resigns to take position at Baylor”

ETVarsity - June 14, 2013