Taylor Named Baseball Coach at Owens - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Taylor Named Baseball Coach at Owens

Devin Taylor has been named the head baseball coach at Owens Community College. He becomes the sixth head coach in the program's history and will succeed Del Young.

"I am very thankful and blessed to have such a great opportunity to become the head baseball coach at Owens Community College," Taylor said. "My minimum expectations are to come out, work hard every single day, compete, and grow as individuals and as a team."

Coaching Career

Taylor spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, IL. While there, he served as the team's catching, hitting and pitching coach. In those three years, Lincoln Trail catchers threw out an impressive 49 percent of would be base stealers, the team batting average was above .300 and the team ERA was below 3.40.

Additional duties for Taylor at Lincoln Trail included recruiting and serving as third base coach.

"I had the pleasure of coaching a few players that were drafted," Taylor said. "Most notable was Defiance, OH native Justin Hancock, who is currently with the Fort Wayne Tin Caps of the San Diego Padres organization."

Playing Career

As a player, Taylor split his time between Lincoln Trail and IPFW. As a two-year starter at Lincoln Trail, he was a two-time conference and region champion. Following that, he was a two-year starter at IPFW. In 2008, he was the only NCAA D-I catcher to start and catch every regular season game. He currently holds the record for most baserunners thrown out in a single season and career.

Following his collegiate baseball career, Taylor spent two seasons in the Canadian leagues. He holds an associate degree from Lincoln Trail College and a bachelor's degree from Indiana University.

Family and Childhood

Taylor was born and raised in the small, southeastern Kentucky town of Brodhead. He was raised on a family farm, where he raised milking dairy and beef cattle. He has spent much of his life riding horses, breaking horses and riding bucking bulls.

He is the son of Coy and Linda Taylor, and he has five older brothers - Shannon, Keyvin, Shawn, Brandon and Shea.

Looking Forward With The Express

Taylor will take over a program looking to rebound from a 19-35 season.

"My goal for this season is to restore this program to a championship contending team," Taylor said, "and to help these young men achieve their own goals and help get them to the next level while achieving acdemic excellence and helping these student athletes better prepare for everyday life in the real world outside of baseball."