Photo by: DavidsonPhotos.com
Taylor Promoted to Associate Head Coach
12/15/2014 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson baseball head coach Dick Cooke announced Monday that assistant coach Rucker Taylor has been promoted to associate head coach of the program.
In just two seasons, Taylor has guided a complete turnaround of the Wildcats' offense as the primary hitting coach. He is the first to earn the "associate" title in the program's history.
"I'm excited about being able to reward Rucker with this promotion," said Cooke, who will be entering his 25th season at the helm of the Wildcats in 2015. "He has made a tremendous impact in all facets of our program in his time here and this promotion recognizes the significant contributions he has made. His influence on our players' development is evident and he has also worked tirelessly recruiting across the country to find the unique student-athletes that can be successful on and off the field here at Davidson."
Under Taylor's tutelage, the Wildcats improved their team batting average 20 points in 2013 from the season prior, and then saw it surge an additional 43 points to .303 last season, which ranked 14th in the nation and second in the Southern Conference. The boost at the plate led Davidson to its winningest season in program history, as the 'Cats set program records for overall wins (29), SoCon wins (17) and modern-era winning percentage (.604). The 'Cats finished second in the SoCon for the first time since 1987, despite being picked last in the coaches' preseason poll.
In addition to hitting for average, Davidson became one of the premier power-hitting teams in the country, ranking third in the nation with 1.04 home runs per game (50 HR in 48 games), ninth in doubles per game and sixth with a .459 slugging percentage. The 'Cats hit just 15 home runs prior to Taylor's arrival in 2012 before more than doubling that total the next season with 39 home runs.
"This promotion is a reflection of the investment our players have made over the last two years and I'm deeply appreciative of their efforts," said Taylor. "I'd also like to thank Coach Cooke and [Davidson Athletic Director] Jim Murphy for this opportunity. Coach Cooke has a remarkable history of developing coaches and I'm fortunate to be able to learn from him. I am excited for the future of Davidson baseball and look forward to helping grow our program."
The success was not attributable to just a couple of breakout players, but rather improvement of the entire team under Taylor's guidance. Davidson returned seven starters in 2014, and they all raised their batting averages - from a minimum of 22 points to a maximum of 130 points - for an average increase of 49 points amongst the seven. They all increased their RBI totals and, with the exception of one, all increased their home run totals.
A record six Wildcats (including a record-tying four first-teamers) were named to the 2014 All-SoCon Baseball teams, highlighted by senior slugger Forrest Brandt earning co-player of the year honors from the league's coaches. A sub-.300 hitter with four home runs and 65 RBIs as a three-year starter entering his senior year, Brandt batted .364 with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs to lead the 'Cats at the plate last season. The SoCon's coaches and media recognized the accomplishments of Cooke and his staff, naming him the coach of the year.
Before arriving at Davidson, Taylor spent six seasons on the Samford coaching staff, serving as the outfield coach and assisting with hitting and the infielders. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a school-record 41 wins in 2012, as well as the program's first-ever SoCon title and NCAA Tournament bid. Samford also had seven players drafted in the Major League Baseball Draft off of the 2012 squad and two more players signed free agent contracts. Outfielder Brandon Miller was named an All-American and became the highest drafted player in Samford history.
Following the 2011 season, Samford had four players drafted in the MLB Draft, and the Bulldogs reached the finals of the SoCon Tournament for the first time. The 2011 team won a then-school-record 37 games with two of Taylor's outfielders earning places on the All-SoCon team. In 2010, Taylor helped lead the Bulldogs to an 8.5-game turnaround in SoCon play from the 2009 season. The team set school records for runs, hits, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage and runs batted in.
Taylor is a 2006 graduate of Vanderbilt University and was named to the SEC academic honor role for the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. He played second base, shortstop and designated hitter for the Commodores, and played on two NCAA Regional teams, including the first Vanderbilt team to reach a Super Regional. He was among the team leaders in fielding percentage each of his four years, finishing at .965. Taylor was also among Commodore leaders in on-base percentage in his final two seasons, posting percentages of .397 and .429, respectively.
Taylor, a native of Montrose, Ala., had a stellar high school career at Bayside Academy, where he still holds numerous single season and career records. He earned his M.B.A. from Samford in 2008.
In just two seasons, Taylor has guided a complete turnaround of the Wildcats' offense as the primary hitting coach. He is the first to earn the "associate" title in the program's history.
"I'm excited about being able to reward Rucker with this promotion," said Cooke, who will be entering his 25th season at the helm of the Wildcats in 2015. "He has made a tremendous impact in all facets of our program in his time here and this promotion recognizes the significant contributions he has made. His influence on our players' development is evident and he has also worked tirelessly recruiting across the country to find the unique student-athletes that can be successful on and off the field here at Davidson."
Under Taylor's tutelage, the Wildcats improved their team batting average 20 points in 2013 from the season prior, and then saw it surge an additional 43 points to .303 last season, which ranked 14th in the nation and second in the Southern Conference. The boost at the plate led Davidson to its winningest season in program history, as the 'Cats set program records for overall wins (29), SoCon wins (17) and modern-era winning percentage (.604). The 'Cats finished second in the SoCon for the first time since 1987, despite being picked last in the coaches' preseason poll.
In addition to hitting for average, Davidson became one of the premier power-hitting teams in the country, ranking third in the nation with 1.04 home runs per game (50 HR in 48 games), ninth in doubles per game and sixth with a .459 slugging percentage. The 'Cats hit just 15 home runs prior to Taylor's arrival in 2012 before more than doubling that total the next season with 39 home runs.
"This promotion is a reflection of the investment our players have made over the last two years and I'm deeply appreciative of their efforts," said Taylor. "I'd also like to thank Coach Cooke and [Davidson Athletic Director] Jim Murphy for this opportunity. Coach Cooke has a remarkable history of developing coaches and I'm fortunate to be able to learn from him. I am excited for the future of Davidson baseball and look forward to helping grow our program."
The success was not attributable to just a couple of breakout players, but rather improvement of the entire team under Taylor's guidance. Davidson returned seven starters in 2014, and they all raised their batting averages - from a minimum of 22 points to a maximum of 130 points - for an average increase of 49 points amongst the seven. They all increased their RBI totals and, with the exception of one, all increased their home run totals.
A record six Wildcats (including a record-tying four first-teamers) were named to the 2014 All-SoCon Baseball teams, highlighted by senior slugger Forrest Brandt earning co-player of the year honors from the league's coaches. A sub-.300 hitter with four home runs and 65 RBIs as a three-year starter entering his senior year, Brandt batted .364 with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs to lead the 'Cats at the plate last season. The SoCon's coaches and media recognized the accomplishments of Cooke and his staff, naming him the coach of the year.
Before arriving at Davidson, Taylor spent six seasons on the Samford coaching staff, serving as the outfield coach and assisting with hitting and the infielders. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a school-record 41 wins in 2012, as well as the program's first-ever SoCon title and NCAA Tournament bid. Samford also had seven players drafted in the Major League Baseball Draft off of the 2012 squad and two more players signed free agent contracts. Outfielder Brandon Miller was named an All-American and became the highest drafted player in Samford history.
Following the 2011 season, Samford had four players drafted in the MLB Draft, and the Bulldogs reached the finals of the SoCon Tournament for the first time. The 2011 team won a then-school-record 37 games with two of Taylor's outfielders earning places on the All-SoCon team. In 2010, Taylor helped lead the Bulldogs to an 8.5-game turnaround in SoCon play from the 2009 season. The team set school records for runs, hits, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage and runs batted in.
Taylor is a 2006 graduate of Vanderbilt University and was named to the SEC academic honor role for the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. He played second base, shortstop and designated hitter for the Commodores, and played on two NCAA Regional teams, including the first Vanderbilt team to reach a Super Regional. He was among the team leaders in fielding percentage each of his four years, finishing at .965. Taylor was also among Commodore leaders in on-base percentage in his final two seasons, posting percentages of .397 and .429, respectively.
Taylor, a native of Montrose, Ala., had a stellar high school career at Bayside Academy, where he still holds numerous single season and career records. He earned his M.B.A. from Samford in 2008.
Players Mentioned
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