Corban University interim athletic director Sue Roth announced on Friday that Taylor Kelly has been minted as the Warriors’ new head men’s basketball coach. Kelly comes to Corban after serving as an assistant coach at Vanguard University.
“Taylor’s passion and energy for discipling young men in their faith is what drew us to him,” said Roth. “Along with that, his love for the game of basketball and his high-energy style of play will draw fans to the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. I couldn’t be more excited about this hire, because I know God has directed us through the whole process. I am confident that Corban and the whole Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) will feel the presence of coach Kelly and his team.”
During his six years at Vanguard, Kelly served a pivotal role in the Lions’ success in the ever-competitive Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). His duties included coordinating recruiting efforts, developing the program’s guards, overseeing opponent scouting reports, and assisting with in-game coaching and strategy.
In his time there, Kelly recruited and developed nine All-Conference honorees, a trio of NAIA All-Americans, a GSAC-leading scorer, and the Vanguard career record holder for three-point field goals. Recently, Kelly helped propel the Lions to the best start in the team’s history (18-0) in 2018-19, eventually resulting in the squad earning a No. 3 seed in the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Tournament.
“My family and I are extremely excited to join the Corban Warrior family,” said Kelly. “God truly made a way for us, as He always has, and we are so thankful. I want to thank Dr. Sheldon Nord, Dr. Brenda Roth, and Sue Roth for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to use this beautiful game to impact young men for His kingdom.”
Prior to his coaching career, Kelly enjoyed a sparkling playing career of his own at Vanguard, competing at the school for three years after transferring in from NCAA Division I Fresno State University.
He was a two-year captain for the Lions, and sits in the top-five in the program’s record books for career three-pointers made and single-season three-point field goal percentage. Kelly was named the Vanguard University Male Athlete of the Year as a senior.
A standout example off the court, as well, Kelly was an NAIA Scholar-Athlete, a three-time GSAC Scholar-Athlete, and the recipient of the Vanguard Champions of Character award.
Kelly and his wife Kayla recently welcomed their first child, a son named Duke, into the world in May of 2020.
With Kelly’s impressive pedigree and infectious passion for basketball and personal growth, Warrior fans can expect an exciting brand of hoops under his leadership.
Speaking on his excitement, Kelly added: “Throughout the entire hiring process, there is one theme that continued to show up: that Corban University has amazing people—and I could feel that from day one. I believe God has positioned Corban, the men’s basketball program, and my family perfectly to do incredible things in the very near future. Go Warriors!”
Between the program’s new captain, and the current construction of Tim Hills Court inside of the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, excitement is high surrounding the Corban men’s basketball team.
Kelly will begin his duties on July 1.
https://corbanwarriors.com/news/2020/6/12/20MBB_TaylorKellyAnnouncement.aspx
