Flagler Volleyball Coach Taylor Mott to Resign After 13 Years

ST. AUGUSTINE – After 13 seasons as the head women’s volleyball coach at Flagler College, Taylor Mott has announced her resignation which will be effective at the end of the calendar year to relocate to Tennessee with her husband, Brian, who has taken a job there, and their two children.

Mott leaves Flagler after a highly successful career, which includes 11 consecutive seasons of 20 or more wins, eight postseason berths, and an overall record of 295-157. She led the Saints to back-to-back Peach Belt Conference regular and post-season titles in 2009 and 2010. Also in 2009, Mott led Flagler to the Southeast Region title, a NCAA Division II National Tournament appearance and the team advanced to the final four.

"There are so many people I want to thank for making my time at Flagler College amazing,” said Mott. “I want to thank Dan Stewart for providing me with this opportunity and Dave Barnett for having the confidence in me to allow me to run my program. I have to thank the fans that have been so loyal for so many years, especially the Gallens, Voguits and Polands. I want to thank all of the student-athletes and their parents who have and still are a part of this program. When I look in the stands and see so many of them at our matches and many coaching their own teams, those are the moments that make me the most proud.  Thank you to our coaching staff, Kelly Holloway, for all of the years she has dedicated to the program, Pete Sproules, who came on board this season and has had an immediate impact and athletic trainers Steven Samples and Jim Simmons who have kept our athletes healthy. 

"My love of Flagler College stems from the support of the campus and especially the support of the other coaches and staff members in the athletic department.  Coaching is not a 9-5 job. You often spend more time with your athletes and co-workers than you do with your own family.  Without the support of the department, we would not have had the success we have enjoyed over the past 13 years.  My last and greatest thank you goes to my husband, being the spouse of a coach is not an easy job.  My husband, children, parents and friends have supported me, encouraged me and inspired me to be the best coach and mentor I could be. 

"I am sad that my time at Flagler College is coming to an end but I am forever grateful for the memories and experiences I have had."

Mott took over the Flagler volleyball program in 1999. In just her third year at the helm of the program, the Saints posted a 26-17 record and two years later, in 2003, Flagler had its best season in terms of winning percentage (.914) when it went 32-3. In 2009, Flagler won a record 36 matches and advanced to the national semifinals. She was voted the Florida Sun Conference (NAIA) Coach of the Year three times (2001, 2003 and 2004) and has been selected the Peach Belt Conference’s Coach of the Year twice (2009 and 2010). Mott has coached student-athletes to 24 all-conference and 23 all-region honors. Another four have earned All-America accolades.

She was the first head women’s golf coach at Flagler, starting the program in 1999. Mott was instrumental in the birth of the Flagler Fall Slam, a fall women’s golf event which brings in around 15-19 teams from the Southeast to play one some of St. Augustine’s best courses. The Flagler Fall Slam just completed its ninth year last month.

Mott is also in the middle of a five-year team on the NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Committee. She also served as Flagler’s Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator.

The South Florida native lettered all four years in volleyball at the University of Mississippi. She earned Academic All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1994 and 1995. Mott received her bachelor’s in elementary education and earned her Master’s in curriculum and instruction. She coached volleyball and softball at nearby Oxford High School where she taught algebra.

“Coach Mott has contributed a great deal to Flagler College student-athletes during her time here – not only as a successful coach, but also as an athletics administrator,’ said Flagler’s Director of Athletics Jud Damon. “Most importantly, she has made a positive impact on the lives of many student-athletes who have played for her through the years.”

A national search will be conducted for her replacement following the conclusion of the volleyball season.