Chicago State names Taylor as men's basketball coach

Apr 19, 2007 - 1:18 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) - Chicago State on Wednesday named Benjy Taylor as the new men's basketball coach.

An assistant the past two seasons at Tulane, Taylor becomes the school's 10th coach in 41 years after Kevin Jones was fired following the Cougars' 9-20 campaign as an independent.

This is the first Division I coaching job for Taylor, who also served as an assistant at Northern Illinois, Indiana State, Pepperdine, Cornell and the Citadel.

"Coach Benjy Taylor brings multiple years of experience to Chicago State, having worked at institutions with solid basketball programs," athletic director Wayne Baskerville said. "The plan for the future, starting today, is to build an athletic department and program that best represents Chicago State University."

Taylor, 39, is experiencing somewhat of a homecoming by taking over the Cougars, as he coached Division III North Central College in nearby Naperville, Illinois from 2001-04.

"This is a tremendous day for Chicago State University, myself and my family," Taylor said. "I am looking forward to moving the program in the right direction. It will take a lot of hard work and determination."