Joel Taylor begins his fourth season as the defensive backs coach at South Carolina State, where he previously played defensive back and spent four years on the coaching staff as an assistant. Taylor returned to Orangeburg and his alma mater in 2010 following a one-year stint as outside linebacker coach at Lenoir Rhyne in Hickory, NC. Taylor has helped guide the Bulldog defense to be one of the nation's best.
The 2012 secondary was hit hard by injury, but the Bulldogs were still able to finish 18th in the nation in defensive pass efficiency. Safety Jakar Hamilton signed a free agent deal with the Dallas Cowboys. That makes the fifth defensive back in four years to make an NFL roster. The previous were Phillip Adams (drafted 7th round by 49ers), Rafael Bush (Saints), Christian Thompson (drafted in the 4th round by the Baltimore Ravens) and Dominique Ellis (Buffalo Bills).
In 2011, the secondary finished #10 in the nation in defensive pass efficiency led by Christian Thompson and Dominique Ellis, both finishing with All-MEAC honors. Thompson and Ellis became the third and fourth players to make an NFL roster under Taylor. Taylor helped to develop a secondary hit hard by the loss of three starters from the 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and National Black Championship team. He took a unit of four new starters in the secondary in 2010 and finished with the #1 Pass Defense and #2 Pass Efficiency in the nation. Additionally, the Bulldog defense finished #1 in the nation in total defense and 17th interceptions spearheaded by All MEAC players Dominique Ellis and Semaj Moody.
Prior to returning to SC State, Taylor served four years (2004-08) on the SC State coaching staff, the first two as an offensive assistant with the offensive line and the final two seasons as a defensive secondary assistant. He had a very productive career as a defensive back at SC State, reaping several honors during his four year (2001-04) career. He lettered all four seasons and was team captain and defensive MVP in 2004. He was also a starter in the secondary on the 2003 Bulldog squad which finished number one nationally in pass defense efficiency. A Brooklyn, NY native, Taylor grew up in Irmo, SC. He earned a bachelor’s in computer science at SC State in 2004 and a master’s in rehabilitation counseling in 2008.
