Bio

In 2016-17, Coach Shannon Taylor enters his fourth season with Hall of Fame head coach Phil Mathews.

He is entering his ninth season as a basketball coach. A native of Fresno, he assisted the men’s basketball team at Fresno City College during the summer of 2010. He has also coached at Roosevelt High School and Edison High School in Fresno, and at Kerman High School in Kerman. During the summers, he would work with professional overseas players, as well as junior high and high school basketball players on improving their shooting and offensive techniques.

Taylor played two seasons at Ventura College where he was team captain and helped the Pirates win state championships in 1995 (under then head coach Mathews) and 1996 (since vacated).

He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University (EWU) where he earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. He earned a master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in physical education, from Fresno Pacific University in 2014.

While at EWU (1997-99), he was team captain, set team records for most three-point field goals attempted and made, and was named to the All-Big Sky Conference First Team in 1999. In 2000, Taylor was offered the opportunity to play for the New Jersey Shore Cats of the United States Basketball League (USBL) under NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry. Taylor went on to play professionally for various overseas basketball teams in Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Philippines and Belgium from 2000 to 2007.

At Bullard High School in Fresno, Taylor was known for his long-range shooting ability. As a senior, he was selected to the North Yosemite League (NYL) First Team and was NYL Player of the Year. In 1994, as team captain, Taylor led Bullard to its first state championship.   

In 2013, Taylor was inducted into the Fresno City/County Hall of Fame for his high school and collegiate basketball accomplishments.

Taylor and his wife, Ashley, have two sons, Carter and Jaxon.

Favorite quote: “Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.” – Mike Singletary