SCF Announces Tennis Head Coach Transition

(Bradenton, Fla., August 26, 2014) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) has named Clayton Taylor Jr. as new head tennis coach to serve under Betsy Nagelsen McCormack, who is transitioning to executive tennis coach.

In her new role, McCormack will provide executive leadership and guidance to the tennis program while remaining involved in recruiting players, seeking external support for the program and making overall program decisions.

“Under Betsy’s leadership, the Manatees tennis program has become a national competitor.  From the inception of the program, she has been fully invested in the development of the team and the advancement of our students.  SCF is grateful for her passion and commitment to our tennis program,” said SCF Athletic Director Matt Ennis.

Taylor, who was selected as the head coach of the tennis team, served as a volunteer assistant coach for the team during the 2013-14 academic year. As head coach, he will provide oversight of daily tennis operations, including the organization of practices, the team’s travel schedule and recruiting.

“Clayton brings valuable high school-, college- and professional-level coaching experience to our women’s tennis program. Our student-athletes have a bright athletic and academic future with Clayton serving as new head coach and Betsy continuing to guide the program as executive coach,” said Dr. Donald Bowman, SCF vice president of student affairs.

Presently the director/owner of Clayton Taylor High Performance Tennis, Taylor also worked as the director of tennis for the Atlantic Club in Allenwood, N.J. He served as a supervisor-traveling coach for world-ranked juniors and adults and director of college placement services at IMG Academy Bollettieri Tennis Program in Bradenton where he placed more than 100 students at colleges and universities with scholarships.

He also was the assistant men’s coach at Auburn University in Alabama and the director of men’s and women’s tennis at Tennessee Tech University and Louisiana Tech University. 

Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Auburn University and has completed graduate coursework toward a master’s degree in sports psychology at the University of Kentucky.