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Blaine Taylor, the highly successful head basketball coach at the University of Montana for seven years, joined the Stanford staff as an assistant coach on April 13, 1998.
"We were extremely happy that Blaine Taylor joined the Stanford family two years ago," said Cardinal head coach Mike Montgomery. "Blaine did an outstanding job at Montana, and his coaching expertise is exceptional. He has been a great addition to our coaching staff. He was my starting point-guard for three years when I was at Montana. He also served as my graduate assistant coach. He has a great knowledge of the game and he is a valuable asset to our program."
Taylor chalked up a 142-65 record in seven seasons (1992-98) as head coach of the Grizzlies. His winning percentage of .686 is fifth-best all-time in the Big Sky Conference history. During his tenure at Montana, Taylor guided the program to two Big Sky Conference regular season titles, three post-season appearances (two NCAA, one NIT), and five 20-wins seasons.
The Grizzlies have won 20 or more games 15 times in school history, and Taylor's teams accomplished that five times; in 1992 (27 wins), 1994 (20 wins), 1995 (21 wins), 1996 (20 wins), and 1997 (21 victories). Montana averaged 20.3 wins per game during Taylor's tenure as head coach. His 1991-92 team chalked up a 27-4 record, a Big Sky title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. In the 36-year history of the Big Sky Conference, only three teams have won 27 games.
"The Taylor families involvement with Stanford University has been a tremendous experience," said Taylor, who was a starting point-guard for Montgomery (former head coach at Montana) from 1979-81. He later was a graduate assistant coach for Montgomery in 1982 and 1983.
Taylor is ninth in career assists at Montana with 300. He is also one of the school's leading career free throw percentage shooters at .819 percent and he scored 753 career points.
Taylor earned his B.A. degree in secondary education at Montana in 1982, and a master's degree in Athletic Administration in 1984 at Montana. Taylor and his wife, Annie, have four daughters; Amber 19, Ashley 12, Alexandria 9, and Alanna, 6 1/2."When evaluating the move to Stanford, the combination of coach Montgomery, the program, Stanford, and the Bay Area were extremely compelling," said Taylor. "I take great personal pleasure in having the lifetime memory of being present for Mike's 400th win, becoming the winningest coach in school history, and the first Pac-10 title in some time. I am of the opinion the Bay Area would be a great fit for my family and that has certainly been the case."
Taylor, 42, became the head coach at Montana in April of 1991.
He had been an assistant at his alma mater the previous five seasons. Taylor had been at Montana as a player or coach 19 of the last 21 years.Fifteen of his 18 players who finished their eligibility under Taylor at Montana have earned degrees.