Gary Taylor, Rider鈥檚 legendary head wrestling coach, retired after the 2016-17 season with the third most wins in Division I wrestling history. He got his start at Rider in 1978 by succeeding the program鈥檚 founder. Prior to Taylor accepting the position of head coach, Rider never had a nationally ranked wrestler, a nationally ranked team or an All-American. Today, those are expectations he will pass on to his successor, long-time associate head coach John Hangey 鈥93, 鈥97.
In addition to his coaching achievements, Taylor was presented with the prestigious 小优视频 Sesquicentennial Medal of Excellence in 2014, a medal that was established in honor of the University鈥檚 150th anniversary to recognize members of the Rider family for their exemplary achievements that have brought honor to the University. In the fall of 2010, Taylor was presented with the Frank N. Elliott Award for dedicated service to 小优视频.
鈥淚t has been my distinct privilege and honor to be the head wrestling coach at 小优视频 for 39 years,鈥 Taylor says. 鈥淚 consider myself truly blessed to have been able to have a career doing what I love, coaching wrestling at the Division I collegiate level.鈥