Van Taylor has been a cornerstone of Lander Athletics for more than four decades, first as one of the most successful coaches in program history and now as the university's director of athletic development.
Taylor joined Lander as head men's soccer coach in 1985 and spent 30 seasons leading the Bearcats. During his tenure, he compiled a 392-163-35 overall record, producing a .698 winning percentage while establishing Lander as one of the premier NCAA Division II men's soccer programs in the Southeast. In recognition of his extraordinary impact on the program, the Lander Board of Trustees named the Van Taylor Soccer Stadium in his honor in 2014, and he was later inducted into the Lander Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.
Under Taylor's leadership, the Bearcats captured three NAIA District 6 championships, the 1990 NAIA Area 9 Championship, seven Peach Belt Conference regular-season championships and three Peach Belt Conference Tournament championships. His teams made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by the 2005 NCAA Division II Southeast Region Championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals in 2001 after finishing No. 6 in the nation. His teams also reached the NAIA Final Four in 1990 and earned the Nels Dahlquist Sportsmanship Trophy.
Taylor's success placed him among the most accomplished coaches in NCAA Division II history. At the conclusion of his coaching career, he ranked among the NCAA Division II all-time leaders in both victories and winning percentage while remaining the winningest men's soccer coach in Peach Belt Conference history. A multiple-time conference, regional and national coach of the year, Taylor was named Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year three times, NCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year three times, NAIA District 6 Coach of the Year three times and NAIA Area 9 Coach of the Year in 1990.
Beyond the wins and championships, Taylor played an instrumental role in growing the sport of soccer throughout South Carolina and the Southeast. Since 1980, he has operated Van Taylor & Associates, organizing soccer camps, clinics, coaching education and public speaking engagements while helping develop countless players and coaches throughout the region.
Following his retirement from coaching after the 2014 season, Taylor transitioned into his current role as director of athletic development, where he leads fundraising initiatives, cultivates relationships with alumni and donors, and helps advance the mission of Lander University through philanthropic support.
Before beginning his coaching career, Taylor enjoyed a distinguished playing career at Erskine College, earning NAIA All-District 6 and NCAA All-America honors in 1975 before being selected in the first round of the 1975 North American Soccer League Draft by the New York Cosmos. He went on to play 10 seasons professionally in the North American Soccer League, American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League, earning runner-up honors for NASL Rookie of the Year in 1976. Taylor has been inducted into the Erskine College Athletics Hall of Fame, the West Essex High School Hall of Fame, the Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey Hall of Fame and the Lander Athletics Hall of Fame.
Taylor earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Erskine College in 1975, a Master of Education from Lander in 1990 and a certification in administration and supervision from Clemson University in 2003. He also holds numerous coaching credentials, including the UEFA "A" License, USSF "A" License, USSF National Youth License, NSCAA Premier Diploma and NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma, and previously served as a U.S. Soccer Federation staff coach and instructor and a Region III staff coach for the U.S. Youth Soccer Association.
