November 12, 2021

The Tampa Bay Cannons are excited to announce the hire of Mike Taylor as the new head coach starting the 2022 season. 

When Andrew Roca announced his retirement during the 2021 AUDL season, it was imperative to find the right candidate who would fill his shoes. Mike brings an experienced resume as a player and coach. In 2015 he was awarded the Spirit of the Game award at USA Ultimate College Nationals. Four years later as the head coach of the University of Central Florida ultimate program, he was named the 2019 Southeast College Coach of the Year. More recently, Mike was invited by Disc/Diversity to coach on the Con10ent Tour this November during the stop in Seattle. 

Mike has demonstrated his coaching knowledge reaches past the game of ultimate. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in sport and exercise science with a specialization in coaching. Previously, he was also the head coach for the Florida Associated Speed Skating Team (FAST). While with FAST he prepared athletes for local and national competitions in speed skating. 

Several veteran Cannons players are excited by the new hire.

“We're going into a new season with more uncertainties than we have in the past and the decision to make Mike our head coach has got me excited," said fourth-year Cannons vet and UCF alum Adam Vinson. "Having been coached by Mike in the past and seen the success he has brought the team, I can wholeheartedly put my trust in him again."

Fifth-year Cannons vet Billy O’Bryan added, “I think a fresh perspective and a change in leadership can do a lot to help us get past our previous season. I’m really excited to see what Mike brings to the team and to get to work.” 

Previous coaches for the Cannons include Tuba Benson-Jaja (25-17 record) and Andrew Roca (10-28 record). The Cannons last made the playoffs in 2017, when the team finished third in the South Division.