Hours after leading the Lady Bulldogs to a, 78-56, win against Ole Miss Monday evening in Athens, coach Joni Taylor gave birth to girl, her second child.
Taylor welcomed Drew Simone Taylor at 7:29 a.m. Tuesday in Athens. Drew is 20 inches long and weighs 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Drew is Taylor’s second daughter with husband, Darius. Jacie Elise Taylor was born on Nov. 3, 2016.
“I can’t express how much joy Drew has already brought to our family,” Taylor said in a statement Tuesday. “We want to thank everyone in the Georgia community for your prayers and encouragement during this happy season of our lives. I am thrilled that Drew will be surrounded by so many special people, and that she will be a part of the Bulldog family.”
Taylor coached the Bulldogs through her pregnancy “still waking up at 4 and 5 o’clock” for workouts.
Taylor, 39, ran at least three times a week, clocking an 8-minute mile just last month.
“God has shown me tremendous favor,” Taylor told the Associated Press recently. “My pregnancies both have been very smooth. I had a very easy pregnancy with Jaci and a very easy delivery. I’ve had a very smooth pregnancy so far the second time around. That has enabled me to have good energy, to be available for this program, our young ladies, our recruits.”
Taylor is in her fourth season as only the team’s second full-time coach. Andy Landers’ 36-year stint as coach included five Final Four appearances, 20 Sweet 16s and seven Southeastern Conference regular-season championships.
Taylor, who played at Alabama, was Landers’ top assistant when he retired.
- This article contains information from the Associated Press
About the Author
