University of Georgia head coach Joni Taylor has been named the 2021 Whack Hyder Georgia Women’s College Coach of the Year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Friday. 

This is the third time in six seasons Taylor has earned the award. 

The 2021 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year led her team to a 21-7 overall record, including a SEC Tournament championship game appearance and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. 

Georgia finished fourth in the conference standings after being picked ninth in the preseason poll. Taylor’s team won five games against top-25 squads, including a season sweep of Tennessee for the first time since 1985 and a win against No. 2 Texas A&M.

A group of four seniors — all college graduates — led the Lady Bulldogs. Senior guard Que Morrison was named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, while senior center Jenna Staiti garnered All-SEC honors. 

Georgia has been a leader in the classroom and in the community under Taylor. Last winter, the Lady Bulldogs led all SEC basketball teams (women or men) with nine honorees on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. 

In addition to Friday’s announcement, Taylor is also one for four finalists for the Werner Ladder Naismith National Coach of the Year. Fans can vote for Taylor at www.naismithfanvote.com.