Taylor Black, the Florida baseball assistant coach who helped steer the Gators to two consecutive College World Series appearances, announced this week that he will join NC State as the program’s new recruiting coordinator.
Black’s return to the Triangle marks a full‑circle moment; he spent three years on staff at NC State from 2014 to 2017 before heading to Gainesville in 2022, where he quickly became a cornerstone of the recruiting department.
A New Chapter for the Wolfpack
During his tenure in Florida, Black’s eye for talent produced standout performances, most notably guiding Jac Caglianone and Luke Heyman to double‑digit home run totals in 2024 and contributing to the Gators’ deep runs in the NCAA tournament.
The Gators’ back‑to‑back appearances in the CWS, culminating in a runner‑up finish in 2023, underscored the impact of Black’s work, a legacy that includes securing commitments from high‑profile prospects such as Dale Thomas and Hurston Waldrep.
Before coaching, Black honed his own game at Kentucky, where he completed his final two collegiate seasons before being selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011, a transition that gave him a player‑first perspective now applied to talent evaluation.
His move to NC State is being viewed as a strategic boost for the Wolfpack, who hope to leverage Black’s proven recruiting network and developmental expertise to close the gap with the nation’s elite programs.