Benjy Taylor, the seasoned American college basketball coach, found himself at the center of national headlines recently after a shocking post-game incident where he was handcuffed and escorted off a basketball court — though no charges were filed. Below, we dive deep into his coaching career, salary context, the handcuff event, and what this means for him and the sport.
Who Is Benjy Taylor? – Basketball Coach Overview
Benjy Taylor (born August 21, 1967) is an American college basketball coach currently serving as the head coach for the Tuskegee University men’s basketball team in Alabama.
Taylor’s long coaching journey spans more than 30 years and includes a variety of roles:
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Assistant coaching positions at programs such as Richmond, Cornell, The Citadel, and Tulane.
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Head coach at Chicago State University, where he led the team to its first winning season in over two decades.
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Interim head coach at the University of Hawaii, where he also guided the program with distinction.
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Head coach at Tuskegee University since 2019.
Taylor’s experience makes him one of the more respected figures in HBCU basketball (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). His career record reflects decades of leadership, strategy, and player development.
The Handcuff Incident: What Happened?
On January 31, 2026, Benjy Taylor was handcuffed and escorted off the court by law enforcement at the end of a game between Tuskegee and Morehouse College in Atlanta.
Key Details of the Incident
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The situation unfolded after a 77–69 loss when Taylor was addressing a postgame handshake line.
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Taylor claims that several Morehouse football players joined the handshake line, violating conference protocol and creating a potentially unsafe environment.
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According to Taylor and Tuskegee officials, he tried to get security to enforce these rules and protect his players.
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Despite remaining calm, Taylor was unexpectedly handcuffed by an officer and briefly detained before being released and returning with his team.
Taylor later said the experience left him feeling “violated” and “heartbroken,” particularly because his players and supporters witnessed it.
Legal Action and Reactions
Following the incident, Taylor hired prominent civil rights attorney Harry Daniels to review and potentially pursue legal action over the handling of the situation.
Tuskegee University officials have publicly supported the coach, emphasizing his concern for player safety, proper security protocol enforcement, and his professionalism under pressure.
The event has sparked broader discussions in the sports community about security policies at athletic events, especially for HBCU rivalries where emotions can run high.
Coach Benjy Taylor’s Salary: Estimated Range & Industry Context
While Taylor’s exact contract details and annual salary have not been publicly disclosed, understanding salary context is key:
College Basketball Coaching Salaries
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Top Division I head coaches at major programs can earn millions annually (e.g., multi-million dollar contracts in Power 5 conferences).
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Division II and HBCU head coaching salaries typically are significantly lower, often reflecting budgets of smaller athletic departments rather than big revenue sports models.
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Factors that typically influence salary include program success, institutional budget, conference revenues, and years of experience.
Given Taylor’s extensive coaching history and Tuskegee’s athletic profile, his compensation likely reflects mid-tier collegiate coaching standards — competitive for his level but distinct from high-profile Division I contracts.
Taylor’s Legacy in Basketball Coaching
Benjy Taylor is widely respected for his dedication to the development of student-athletes, program building, and his commitment to team discipline and safety. Even with the recent controversy, his decades of experience and leadership continue to influence the basketball community.
From leading Chicago State to historical success, helping shape University of Hawaii’s program, and steering Tuskegee’s Golden Tigers with professionalism, Taylor remains a notable figure in college basketball.
Final Thoughts
Benjy Taylor’s story illustrates the pressures and responsibilities placed on coaches — not just for wins and losses, but for player safety and institutional integrity. His recent handcuff incident has amplified conversation around security and protocol enforcement in collegiate sports, while also spotlighting the challenges faced by coaches in today’s competitive environment.
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