Gary Taylor, Rider’s legendary head wrestling coach, retired after the 2016-17 season with the third most wins in Division I wrestling history. He got his start at Rider in 1978 by succeeding the program’s founder. Prior to Taylor accepting the position of head coach, Rider never had a nationally ranked wrestler, a nationally ranked team or an All-American. Today, those are expectations he will pass on to his successor, long-time associate head coach John Hangey ’93, ’97.
In addition to his coaching achievements, Taylor was presented with the prestigious Rider University Sesquicentennial Medal of Excellence in 2014, a medal that was established in honor of the University’s 150th anniversary to recognize members of the Rider family for their exemplary achievements that have brought honor to the University. In the fall of 2010, Taylor was presented with the Frank N. Elliott Award for dedicated service to Rider University.
“It has been my distinct privilege and honor to be the head wrestling coach at Rider University for 39 years,” Taylor says. “I consider myself truly blessed to have been able to have a career doing what I love, coaching wrestling at the Division I collegiate level.”