Texas A&M women’s head coach Joni Taylor got her nation’s calling when she was named an assistant coach for Team USA, which is set to compete at the Paris Olympics. Joni has already proven her coaching chops by leading the country’s young guns in the U18 and U19 teams. But, in case you didn’t know, Joni Taylor isn’t the only basketball junkie in the family.

Joni’s husband, Darius Taylor, is equally immersed in the sport. However, he has never put his love for basketball over his life partner. Let’s explore Darius Taylor’s life and the story where he chose Joni over basketball.

Darius Taylor: From Coaching Roots to Leading Roles in Women’s Basketball

Born and raised in Chicago, Darius has been around the game since way back in the early 2000s. He tipped off his basketball journey as an assistant coach in 2004 when he joined the team at Temple University. His first experience was nothing less than a dream as he got a chance to work under the legendary head coach Dawn Staley. He started learning from the best.

After four seasons, Darius wasn’t done with Temple. In 2010, he decided to reunite with Coach Staley at the University of South Carolina. For five years, he played a supporting role in shaping their basketball program. By the 2012-13 season, they led the Southeastern Conference and ranked 10th in the nation in rebounding margin.

However, Darius had a tough decision to make when he left the Gamecocks in 2015. Taylor was set to marry his fiancée Joni Crenshaw in August 2015 when Joni received a big career call from Georgia, where they named her head coach. “It’s hard to start a marriage off separated. Those first couple of years are the ones that are really important, where you build your relationship and trust. I knew that there could be some changes to give her (Joni Taylor) an opportunity, and it’s the right decision,” said Darius Taylor after resigning from his  South Carolina position. 

In 2017, Darius Taylor seized a major opportunity, joining the Atlanta Dream as an assistant coach. His leadership skills were recognized, and he was named interim head coach in 2021. But it seems like he found his sweet spot as the general manager of the Connecticut Sun in 2022. Apart from contributing to women’s basketball, Darius has also played a big role for NBA youth performers. Let’s take a look at his contributions to the NBA.

Developing Future Stars: Darius Taylor’s impact in the NBA 

Before he was coaching college stars, Darius Taylor was helping develop the next generation of NBA players. For two years, he worked in the NBA developmental league, focusing on helping players grow as people, not just as athletes.

“I wanted to help open their (players transitioning from college to NBA) eyes to the opportunity that is still there and to have them think outside the box to learn the business and think in terms of what teams are looking for, what a player might be lacking and what off-the-court things he might be able to work on,” said Taylor reflecting on his time with NBA developmental league.

He created a program that educates players on nutritional health, money management, and career development. Additionally, he managed a continuing education initiative, providing financial support for players to pursue their college degrees. “At the end of the day, I hope our players took from me an understanding that there is a bigger game than basketball – the game of life,” Taylor stated. 

In Darius Taylor, we see a man whose dedication to basketball is matched only by his commitment to his family. As Joni Taylor takes on her new role with Team USA, Darius continues to influence the sport from behind the scenes, ensuring that both he and Joni achieve their dreams together.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.