Manhattan College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Heather Vulin has completed her staff for the 2016-17 season with the addition of Callan Taylor as Director of Women’s Basketball Operations. Taylor, a former Northeast Conference (NEC) Player of the Year at Sacred Heart, played four seasons professionally in Finland, Spain, Australia and Portugal.
“I am thrilled to join this new and exciting staff here at Manhattan and help create this new brand of Jasper women’s basketball,” Taylor said. “I developed a special bond throughout the recruiting process with Coach Vulin (who was an assistant at Sacred Heart at the time), but unfortunately never had the chance to play for her. So, when the opportunity arose to work for her, I was beyond ecstatic. I have the highest respect for Heather as a person and a coach, and I’m really looking forward to learning and growing from her, as well as the rest of this highly-respected athletic department staff.”
Sacred Heart’s all-time leading rebounder (1,123), Taylor also ranks second on the Pioneers’ career scoring list (1,822). She was named NEC Player of the Year in 2011-12 after notching 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for Sacred Heart’s NEC championship squad. Taylor earned All-NEC honors each season, securing a place on the 2008-09 NEC All-Rookie Team and the 2009-10 All-NEC Second Team before back-to-back First Team All-NEC nods during her junior and senior campaigns. In addition, Taylor was a two-time NEC All-Tournament Team honoree and a member of the 2011-12 ECAC Division I All-Star Second Team. The 2011-12 NEC Female Student-Athlete of the Year, she graduated cum laude with high honors from Sacred Heart.
“Callan Taylor is a winner,” Vulin said. “I’m very excited to have her on my staff and a part of the resurgence of Manhattan women’s basketball. Callan was a fierce competitor on and off the court, and I knew once she was done with her professional career that she was someone I wanted to be on my staff. She has a bright coaching career in front of her, and with her passion and knowledge for the game, will be a tremendous addition to our program.”
Taylor began her professional career with the Finnish club Turun Riento, leading the team to its first-ever playoff appearance in 2013. She then moved on to Club Baloncesta Al-Qazeres in Spain, leading the league co-champions in scoring and rebounding. Taylor later played for the Woodville District Basketball Club in Australia and Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Portugal, winning league MVP honors in both countries. She also helped coach each organization’s youth team.
A native of Overland Park, KS, Taylor worked with the Old School Sports Academy in her hometown during the offseason. She served as the head girls’ basketball trainer, organizing and leading individual and group training sessions for players ranging from age eight to college level.
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