ROCKLIN, Calif. – Jessup University Athletics is excited to announce the hiring of Anne Marie Taylor as the new head coach of the men's volleyball program. Taylor makes history with her appointment, becoming the first female head coach in the history of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).
Volleyball runs deep in the Taylor family. Her father played collegiately at the University of Southern California (USC), while her uncle, John Taylor, played at Stanford University and was a member of the 1964 United States Men's Volleyball Olympic Team. With both family members having strong ties to two of the MPSF's historic programs, Taylor's appointment at Jessup brings a unique family connection to the conference she now makes history in.
Reflecting on her family background and lifelong connection to the sport, Taylor shared, "My love for the game runs deep, having grown up with an Olympic volleyball player as an uncle and a father who competed at both the collegiate and professional beach volleyball levels. Volleyball has always been a huge part of my life, shaping my passion, values, and appreciation for everything the sport represents."
Taylor brings a wealth of volleyball coaching experience, collegiate recruiting knowledge, and a passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the court.
Most recently, Taylor served at Wingate University, an NCAA Division II institution in North Carolina, where she coached men's and women's beach volleyball and served as an athletic academic advisor. During her time at Wingate, she played an instrumental role in developing the men's volleyball program, overseeing recruiting, budgeting, team travel, academic support, compliance, and fundraising.
One of her most notable accomplishments was helping launch Wingate's first-ever men's beach volleyball program in just two months. She recruited more than 100 athletes, assembled the roster, and led the new program to its first collegiate victory, an impressive win over Penn State at the USAV Men's Doubles Tournament. She also helped guide a conference All-SAC selection while establishing a competitive culture within the developing program.
Taylor's experience extends beyond the collegiate level. She previously served as a coach and athletic administrator at Notre Dame High School in Los Angeles, where she coached beach and indoor volleyball, served as Assistant Athletic Director, and briefly served as Interim Athletic Director. She also spent time at Cypress College in California, gaining valuable experience in collegiate recruiting, academic advising, and student-athlete development.
A native of Sherman Oaks, California, Taylor was a Division I dual-sport athlete at Loyola Marymount University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology. She later completed a master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University.
Taylor is particularly excited about the opportunity to lead a program at a Christian university. She values the role Christian education plays in shaping young people and believes in developing student-athletes who are prepared to succeed in competition and make a difference beyond the court.
"We are thrilled to welcome Anne Marie to the Jessup Warrior family," said Athletic Director
Scott Sorgea. "Her experience building and developing a collegiate volleyball program, combined with her passion for recruiting, team culture, and the administrative side of college athletics, made her an outstanding fit for Jessup. She understands that coaching is about much more than what happens on the court. We believe she will do an excellent job developing our men's volleyball program and investing in the lives of our student-athletes."
Excited about the opportunity ahead, Taylor said, "I am incredibly honored and excited to accept the position of Head Men's Volleyball Coach at Jessup University. This is an amazing opportunity to build something special, grow the program, and help develop student-athletes both on and off the court."
Taylor also looks forward to becoming part of the Jessup community and building a program that reflects the university's values.
"I cannot wait to get started, embrace the Jessup community, and build a program that competes with purpose, represents the university with pride, and leaves a lasting impact," Taylor added.
Taylor now returns to California, where she looks forward to building a competitive men's volleyball program and becoming part of the Jessup community.
Welcome to the Warrior family, Coach Taylor!
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About Jessup University Athletics Jessup University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Instagram & X).