Although Josh Taylor hasn’t made it to Louisiana Tech yet – the newly hired Lady Techster softball coach is in full recruiting mode while trying to make the move from Reno – the early indications are he is a home run hire.
Taylor, who is the fourth head coach for the program in the past four years, departs his alma mater where he is a member of its Athletics Hall of Fame after eight seasons on the Wolf Pack staff, including the past five as the head honcho.
And although none of the current Tech roster has met in person with Taylor – they were introduced to him via a zoom call on Monday – one former Techster is very familiar with him.
“I believe Josh is the perfect fit for Louisiana Tech because of who he is as a person and a coach,” said Berkley Calapp, who has spent the past two years as a member of Taylor’s staff in Reno. “He is an unbelievable person and an even better coach. His love for his players and staff is what makes him fit so perfectly in the Ruston community.”
Calapp played four years in Ruston and was a member of the 2017 and 2019 Conference USA title teams and she knows what the culture was like during those years under Mark Montgomery. She is an expert on both Tech and Taylor.
“On top of that he wants to win, and wants to take Tech back to the top of Conference USA,” said Calapp. “His knowledge of hitting is incredible. He keeps it simple for his hitters, allowing them to flourish in the moment. He teaches the game right, and makes sure that his players are prepared.”
Players on the current Tech roster reached out to Calapp following the announcement and the word of what he will bring to Ruston has spread quickly.
“I’m most excited for new beginnings and for the opportunity to not only grow as a player but as a team under the guidance of Coach Taylor,” said catcher Brooke Diaz. “The things I have heard about Coach Taylor have been nothing but positive. I know that he will be an excellent addition to the Lady Techster Softball family, and I cannot wait for season to start.”
Taylor led Nevada to a program record 16 wins in Mountain West play in 2021 and a non-conference victory over No. 2 ranked Washington. His Wolf Pack team also boasted a team grade point average of 3.70 this past season.
“I am most excited about getting back on the field and creating a new chapter of culture with our new head coach,” said pitcher Audrey Pickett. “I’m excited to see where he takes us this upcoming season because I have a really good feeling about it.
“I have heard that Coach Taylor is a very caring coach and is a coach that is capable of getting us where we need to be as a program. I have also heard that he is more than a coach and that he is a person that is going to be there for you no matter what. He is going to coach us on the field and care for us more off the field.”
Taylor, who will hit the recruiting trails this weekend in Arizona as in-person recruiting opens for the first time since it was shut down in March of 2020, will be hiring a staff in the coming weeks and will be officially in Ruston in early to mid-July.
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