Coach Joe Taylor

The 15th head coach in the storied history of Florida A&M University Football , Joseph “Joe” Taylor led the Rattlers to a record-setting 9-3 inaugural campaign in 2008 - tying Hall of Fame legend A.S. “Jake” Gaither's school record for the most wins by a first-year head coach. That same year, Taylor became the ninth Black College coach to surpass the 200-career win barrier, capturing the milestone victory with a 28-21 win over Tennessee State. He finished the 2008 campaign with a sterling career mark of 206-79-4 (.719), ranking him third (3rd) in career victories and fourth (4th) in career winning percentage among active coaches in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly I-AA).

The Washington, D.C. native came to Florida A&M after 16 seasons at the helm of the Hampton (Va.) University football program, where he was the most successful coach in school history. =During his tour at Hampton, Taylor guided the Pirates to a 136-49-1 record, highlighted by four Black College Championships, eight conference titles, a Heritage Bowl Championship, plus seven trips to the NCAA playoffs.

Taylor currently ranks second (2nd)among active head coaches at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) behind College Hall of Fame legend and former FAMU coach Billy Joe (239), who completed his first year atMiles (Ala.) College in 2008. He also ranks seventh (7th) among head coaches at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in career victories at 206.

Coach Taylor, a 1972 graduate of Western Illinois University and a native of Washington, D.C. is married to the former Beverly Richardson. They are the proud parents of two sons, Aaron Joseph (28) and Dennis Anthony (24).