Texas A&M International University men’s basketball coach Bryan Weakley announced on Thursday that current assistant Joel Taylor has been promoted to Associate Head Coach beginning immediately. Taylor has been instrumental in building the Dustdevils into one of the top programs in the Heartland Conference working with the post players.
“Joel has earned this title because of his loyalty and value he has added to our program,” said Weakley. “He is a great friend but in addition he possesses the qualities needed to be a successful coach of knowledge, love and passion for the game and love for his players. I am truly excited to promote him to Associate Head Coach.”
The 2016-17 season saw the Dustdevils claim the program’s third Heartland Conference Regular Season Championship and appear in their second-straight conference tournament appearance as they finished the campaign with an overall record of 20-10 and 13-5 in Heartland play.
“I am very honored to be named Associate Head Coach for the TAMIU men’s basketball team,” added Taylor. “I am very grateful to both head coach Bryan Weakley and athletic director Griz Zimmerman for the confidence they have demonstrated by allowing me to advance my career here in Laredo. I have thoroughly enjoyed my last three seasons as part of the Dustdevil family and I look forward to continuing to grow our team into a national contender.”
Taylor enters his fourth year at TAMIU having served as Weakley’s assistant since 2014 and has been instrumental in building TAMIU into one of the top programs in the Heartland Conference compiling an overall record of 51-37 while helping Bunja Yaboe and Vadal Faniel earn all-conference honors.
Prior to being hired at TAMIU, Taylor served as the assistant coach at Eastern Wyoming College for four years leading the Lancers to a pair of NJCAA Region IX Championships and also two appearances in the NJCAA Tournament twice. He also served as an assistant at Grand Canyon University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership.
Taylor began his coaching career at his alma mater Northwest Missouri State. While at NWSU, he helped the team to there first NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance in school history. During his two-year playing career for the Bearcats, Taylor led the team the Sweet Sixteen as a senor captain in a season they started a then school record 13-0.
The Dustdevils open the 2017-18 season hosting the Chadron State and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Nov. 10 and 11 as part of the Conference Challenge.
