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Taylor nets 400th coaching win

TRIMONT — Twenty-five years, 600 games, more than 400 wins, and Martin County West girls basketball head coach Rodger Taylor is only responsible for the 198 losses.

“I joke with people that obviously the kids won every one of those (games), which is 402 now, and I’m just responsible for the 198 losses,” Rodger said, laughing, on Wednesday.

In his silver season of coaching, Taylor reached career win No. 400 in a 63-55 overtime victory against fellow long-time coach Rick Uttech and the Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther Jaguars.

“The Jaguars have been rivals for many years. Coach Uttech and I have coached against each other since I started,” Taylor said.

The Mavericks had the lead at halftime, but fell behind in the second half to force the extra frame. Martin County West then outscored the Jaguars, 10-2, in overtime to get the win.

“That’s one thing about this team is that they play hard and persevered and got a big win,” Taylor said. “I wasn’t even aware or remembered that it was my 400th victory until Mrs. (Deanna) Garbers brought it up in the locker room. That, of course, made it a little extra special.”

To earn 400 wins with one sports program is an admirable milestone for any coach, especially for one who was supposed to have left 28 years ago. After graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead, Taylor applied to many different places, but decided to take a teaching job with Martin County West.

“I thought I would take this one for one year before I moved on; one year turned into 29,” he said with a smile.

The longer he stayed, the more established he became in his teaching job, while also taking on coaching and even starting a family. He and his wife, Jill Taylor — who has been a major part of his success — have three daughters, all of whom Rodger coached. The couple’s youngest daughter, Maia, is a junior on the Mavericks’ varsity team.

“Everything just fell into place,” Rodger Taylor said.

Rodger Taylor’s first coaching job was with the junior high boys basketball team before he moved up to the girls varsity basketball team, where he’s spent 25 years. He took a year off during that time to successfully battle colon cancer.

“I came back with a new perspective of sorts and ended up with having 25 years of being the head girls coach,” Taylor said.

While he admits he doesn’t remember specific games like wins Nos. 100, 200 or 300, the big games against rivals and postseason contests are the ones that stick out in his mind the most. With the 400th being the most recent, it’ll stick with him a little longer.

“I think that’s the biggest thing with coaching is that you enjoy the victories, but the losses haunt you more. We’ve had some big wins and we’ve had some tough losses,” Taylor said. “So to pick one or two out … to narrow it down? They’re all a blur. I don’t even remember what I had for breakfast.”

On Tuesday, Taylor crossed off another milestone by coaching his 600th game. It also was win No. 402 as the Mavericks topped St. James Area, 68-44, in Trimont.

“It’s surprising because I guess I never thought about longevity. To be fortunate enough to have quality kids and supportive parents that are definitely contributing to that,” he added. “To be coaching this long doesn’t happen much anymore. You don’t continue coaching unless you experience some kind of success.”

Taylor also appreciates support from his coaching staffs from past and present years, the school and the community over the years.

“Now the next question is how long do I go,” he said. “People tell me I’ll know when I know. … I had people (Tuesday) night say, ‘We’re only asking for 10 more years.’ I don’t plan on teaching for 10 more years, but we’ll see.”

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