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Photo of Fred Taylor

Fred R. Taylor

Fred Taylor had a reputation for his coaching excellence and dedication to the community. Although he never played in high school, Taylor was a starting forward on Ohio State's Big Ten championship team that finished third nationally in 1950. A talented recruiter, Taylor stressed the fundamentals, smart team play, and made it clear that education came first. Taylor spent only 18 seasons as a head coach at Ohio State but by his fourth season he was already a veteran of NCAA Final Fours. Taylor's Buckeyes were most dangerous in the NCAA Tournament, compiling a 14-4 record in five NCAA Tournament appearances and four Final Fours. Armed with six All-Americas and Hall of Famers Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek, and Bob Knight, Taylor was the first coach in NCAA history to take his team to three straight Final Fours. A kind man with a keen sense of community, Taylor often volunteered his time and experience to civic and charitable causes.

Enshrined

1986

Born

December 03, 1924 Zanesville, OH

Died

January 06, 2002

College

Ohio State

Career Stats

1960 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
OHIO STATE
4x NCAA FINAL FOURS
7x BIG TEN CONFERENCE
TITLES
1961 USBWA
COACH OF THE YEAR
1962 UPI
COACH OF THE YEAR
1st COACH IN NCAA HISTORY
TO TAKE TEAM TO
3 STRAIGHT FINAL FOURS