LIONS NAME JORDAN TAYLOR AS MEN’S VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH

The York University Lions have tapped a permanent new leader for the men’s volleyball program in 2023-24.
 
After a nationwide search, Jordan Taylor has been named York’s head men’s volleyball coach, effective immediately. Taylor brings a culture of winning and inclusion to the men’s volleyball program, after a successful run with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
 
“I am thrilled to join an institution with such a rich 50-plus year history of supporting student-athletes to academic and athletic excellence,” said Taylor. “York’s varsity leadership has a bold and compelling vision for the future of York Athletics & Recreation, and I am honoured to be part of that. I look forward to the journey ahead for the Lions men’s volleyball program.”
 
Alex Dominato, York’s director of athletics, is excited at landing one of western Canada’s top coaching talents.
 
“Our men’s volleyball program has a very bright future because of Jordan’s enthusiasm for York, our student-athletes, and the culture surrounding the team,” said Dominato. “I can’t wait to see this year’s team in action under his leadership.”
 
Taylor will look to carry the Lions men’s volleyball team to new heights after positive growth for the program in 2022-23. The team saw an 11-win improvement from the previous season, hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2018, and winning their first since capturing the OUA bronze medal 2015. The team bowed out in this year’s OUA bronze medal game at the hands of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.
 
A native of Sherwood Park, Alta., Taylor has been a familiar face in the Alberta volleyball community in recent years. He was an integral piece of success for the Ooks men’s volleyball program since his arrival with the team as an assistant coach in 2014. A perennial playoff team, the Ooks blossomed under Taylor’s leadership during his stint as an assistant, and as he took over as head coach in 2021.
 
NAIT topped the ACAC’s north division regular season standings in both 2019-20 and 2021-22, his final season as an assistant and first as head coach respectively. First, the team finished 20-4 in 2019-20, with a 9-1 record in their final 10 games of that year. In 2021-22, the Ooks halved their number of regular season losses, finishing the season with a 14-2 record. That was enough to top the division for a second straight year.
 
Taylor also draws experience from U SPORTS, previously serving as an assistant coach with the MacEwen University Griffins. He completed his Master’s degree in coaching and sport science from the University of Victoria, and also holds an Bachelor’s of physical education from the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. He played collegiately for the Augustana Vikings men’s volleyball team during that time.