Fellowship of Christian Athletes is proud to present Texas A&M University Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Joni Taylor, with this year’s Kay Yow “Heart of a Coach” Award.
The Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award was established in 2008 to honor Kay Yow, former head women’s basketball coach at North Carolina State University. Yow was one of the most respected coaches in all of sports, having won on both the national and international scene with over 700 career wins and three Olympic gold medals. In addition, Yow coached a team to the Women’s Final Four and was inducted into both the Naismith and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fames. More importantly, she consistently lived out her faith in front of her players by “trying to see them for who they can be, not just who they are now.”
“As a successful basketball coach, Olympic champion, and Naismith National Coach of the Year finalist and semifinalist, it is clear that Taylor has led a life dedicated to her sport,” said Shane Williamson, FCA President and CEO. “This dedication is not only evident through her accomplishments, but also in the way she motivates her players to integrate their faith and sport.”
Throughout her coaching career, Taylor has achieved numerous outstanding accomplishments, including being named the 2021 SEC Coach of the Year. In 2024, she was the assistant coach for the USA Basketball Women’s National Team and helped the team to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Taylor began her career as the assistant coach for Troy University in 2002, and then went on to coach for Louisiana Tech University, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University and University of Georgia, before landing the head coaching position at Texas A&M University in 2022. She led the Texas A&M Aggies to a 10-win jump from year one to year two — tied for the biggest increase in victories in the SEC since the 1981-82 season. In 2023, she led her team to the SEC Tournament quarterfinals — the first No. 13 seed to reach the quarters.
“Receiving the Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award is incredibly humbling because it represents something far deeper than wins and losses. It reflects a commitment to lead with purpose, to serve others, and to stand firm in faith-no matter the circumstances,” said Taylor. “When I think about Coach Yow, I think about strength in adversity, grace under pressure, and a life that pointed people to something bigger than basketball. To be mentioned in the same breath as her legacy is both an honor and a responsibility.
“It challenges me to continue coaching in a way that impacts lives beyond basketball-to build people, not just players. It reminds me that the true measure of success is not just what we achieve, but who we become and how we help others grow along the way.”
As an advocate for FCA, Joni encourages her team to get involved in the ministry; she recognizes the significant impact that faith can have on her players both on and off the court. She has been a speaker at the FCA Breakfast at the National Championship.
“Joni is a great coach who loves the Lord and desires to please Him through her life and the way she coaches,” said Brazos Valley FCA Women’s Ministry’s Johnna Johnston.
Taylor demonstrates her Christian faith by attending church regularly, reading the Bible and prioritizing helping her team grow spiritually. She cares for her players’ spiritual development and even hired a player development coach who pours into her team with God’s Word.
“To coach in a way that honors God means recognizing that this platform isn’t mine… It’s been entrusted to me. It’s about leading with integrity, serving with humility, and making sure that every decision, every interaction, and every moment reflects His love and truth,” Taylor remarked. “Partnering with Fellowship of Christian Athletes reinforces that mission. It creates space to develop the whole person — mind, body and spirit. It reminds our players that their identity is not rooted in performance, but in who they are in Christ.
“At the end of the day, for me, it’s about using this game as a vehicle — to serve, lead, and to point others toward something greater. To compete with excellence but not let the outcome define us. To create an environment where faith is lived out, not just talked about. That’s what Coach Yow did so beautifully, and that’s the standard I strive to carry forward.”
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Photos courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics