Halston Taylor’s cross country coaching career began at MIT in 1982 and since that time, the squad has become one of the most successful programs at the Institute. He has led Tech through 10 undefeated seasons and three others marred by one loss. The Engineers are also a perfect 14-for-14 at the NEWMAC Cross Country Championships under his watch.

During Taylor’s tenure, the men’s cross country team has been ranked as high as fifth nationally. He has been on the receiving end of numerous postseason coaching accolades, including a streak of five-straight Constitution Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards in the 1990’s; replaced by a recent run of 10 awards from the NEWMAC citing Taylor’s coaching excellence. In 2010, he guided the men to their first-ever New England Division III title and a 12th-place showing at Nationals.

Before arriving at MIT, Taylor coached the women’s track club at South Carolina and was the boy’s track coach at both Granby and Mohawk Regional high schools in Massachusetts. Taylor also coached the boy’s and girl’s cross country teams at Mohawk Regional.

A native of Columbia, S.C., Taylor is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where he was a four-year letter winner and a 4:05-miler. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Physical Education, Taylor entered UMass-Amherst to study and received his Masters in Exercise Science.