Rice University Athletics
Baseball: Taylor, Curry Change Roles In Staff Reorganization
1/11/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The moves follow the resignation of assistant coach Jon Prather, who left the staff this week "to pursue interests outside of baseball."
Taylor, beginning his first season on the Rice staff, had been an assistant at Galveston College for the past two seasons after six at Blinn College in Brenham and a five-year professional career. The Houston native (Waltrip HS '86) was the starting shortstop for Graham's 1987 national junior college champions at San Jacinto College North.
"Mike has been an excellent talent evaluator in his years at Galveston and Blinn, and with us last fall, and I expect him to move successfully into this new role," said Graham.
Curry, who will serve as a volunteer coach this season while finishing his Rice degree, was a two-year letterman for the Owls and was the regular catcher for Rice's 1999 College World Series team. The Galveston native had transferred to Rice in 1998 after two seasons at Galveston College, twice earning all-conference honors for the Whitecaps.
"Zane's appointment got an immediate positive response from our veteran pitchers, since he had worked with them as their catcher and as Jon's assistant," said Graham.
Prather had served under Graham the past eight seasons at Rice, helping the Owls to their current string of five consecutive conference championships and places in the 1997 and '99 College World Series.
"It's like losing a member of the family, but we respect his family commitment," said Graham.
The Owls open the 2001 season on Feb. 1 against Baylor in the Astros College Classic at Enron Field. Rice has been ranked as high as seventh in the nation in preseason polls.
