Former Bobcat Standout Athlete, Mike Taylor Steps Down As Head Coach Of Polish National Basketball Team
(Images submitted) Above: Olympic Qualifying Tournament Team
Mike Taylor, a former Clarion Area standout athlete, has recently stepped down as the head coach of the Polish National Basketball Team. Mike, his fellow coaches and player leave a strong legacy with Team Poland.
Here is a summary of much of that legacy.
Mike was the Head Coach Polish National Team for eight years, 2014 to 2021.
He was the first American Head Coach/Coach in Polish Basketball Federation (Pzkosz) history. Mike had the second longest tenure among head coaches in Polish National Team history, behind only Witold Zagorski, who guided Team Poland from 1961 to 1975.
Mike coached 111 games for Team Poland, with a record of 60 Wins – 51 Losses (54%) He coached in 51 official International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) games for Poland, with a record of 30 wins and 21 losses (58%).
He coached his 100th game for the Polish National Team against Israel at the Valencia Bubble in November 2020.
Mike led Poland to World Cup in China in 2019, the second World Cup appearance in Polish Basketball history and the first in 52 years, finishing eighth. They were voted Team of the Year (covering all sports) in the Country of Poland.
His Polish National Team made the 2021 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania, advancing to the semifinals. The tournament was eventually won by Slovenia and Luka Doncic.. . A highlight of 2021 was 17 year old Jeremy Sochan’s debut, on February 21st, making him the youngest player in the history of the Polish National Team.
Team Poland qualified for three straight EuroBasket Tournaments (2015, 2017, 2023), winning their Qualifying Groups in 2014 and 2016. They went 5-1 both years, with the 2014 squad having the best scoring offense, in all qualifications.
In addition to the three EuroBasket appearances with Team Poland, Mike also was an assistant coach for Czech Republic, which made EuroBasket Tournament, in Slovenia in 2013.
Mike led Poland to first win over Spain in forty-eight years, on February 20, 2020, during the EuroBasket qualifiers in Zaragoza, Spain, an 80-69 victory.
Team Poland improved their FIBA World Ranking from #42 in 2014 to their current #13 standing.
Since taking over as Team Poland’s Head Coach, Mike worked in the Polish National Basketball Federation (PZKOSZ) as consultant for the Polish Basketball League (PLK).
He also conducted the Polish National Team Development Camp in Gizycko, in 2018. He worked to expand the National Team player pool and push prospects. Mike organized and ran the camp, “Where next-generation players were exposed to the National Team System and Culture.” The Prospects Team beat the Belarus B Team back-to-back, in Bialystock, Poland.
Mike shared his thoughts on this remarkable ride.
“My time in Poland has been a special part of my coaching career. It’s never easy at the end, but I am thankful for the experiences and proud of our accomplishments. My dad always told me to put your heart into your team and leave it in a better place than when you arrived. Looking at the Polish National team today, our seven years together reflected that. I take many wonderful memories from Poland as well as many friends for life. I believe history will look at this time in a positive that saw Poland re-establish itself in top European basketball.”
“. . . I have talked with most of our players and staff and some of the conversations have been emotional. We have been through a lot together and shared many great moments. We will always be bonded by our 2019 World Cup run in China. That is a part of Polish basketball history. I am so thankful we shared it together. Some of my favorite moments from the World Cup include our 79-76 overtime win over China September 2nd, 2019 in Beijing, our second round World Cup win 79-74 over Russia September 6th, 2019 in Foshan, our World Cup 7th/8th place game against Team USA and coaching against legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich September 14th, 2019 in Beijing.”
Of major importance to Mike is player development. Mike always strives to be optimistic
A Team Poland overview of Mike’s coaching philosophy attests to that. It mentions Mike’s optimistic and positive attitude and energy and his style of coaching “that helps to maximize talent and team by creating an environment and team culture where players enjoy the process and have fun, (building) relationships with players and coaches and help everyone enjoy the process create a positive self-fulfilling prophecy where players feel belief from coach and play with confidence.”
The overview lists player development “. . . as a main focus for developing relationships and caring about players positive coaching/relationship-based coaching enjoying the experience and taking the challenges together.”
Mike and his staff traveled throughout Europe. They visited players and made building relationships and networking with a number of coaches and general managers a top priority. They visited European(basketball) clubs and American colleges, as well as doing NBA tours. All of this worked together to “create a team-environment and culture where players and staff enjoy time together, love to compete together and have pride in team.”
Mike shared about several who have been helped to reach their full potential.
“Development means a lot to me and I am so proud of how our players developed in their careers over the last 7 years. Players have improved, raised their level and taken challenges year by year. Every player has been important, but several have been extra special.
“Number one is Mateusz Ponitka. We shared a special connection and I am so proud of the player and person he has become. Right from the beginning, we recognized he has the unique ability to be his best when it matters most and can impact pressure games in a variety of ways. It was no surprise to us how he performed on the game’s biggest stage in China and how he has risen to the top of Europe, with Zenit St. Petersburg in the EuroLeague.
“AJ Slaughter will always be a special player to me, as well, and he was our perfect choice for naturalized passport player. AJ’s character and personality fit in perfectly with our team and he proved to be a key player for us. The fact he kept coming to play for us and for me means a lot.
“Our core players led by legendary Polish point guard Lukasz Koszarek, blue-collar big man Adam “Beast” Hrycaniuk, skillful power forward Aaron Cel and athletic small forward Michal “Soko” Sokolowski made our team go. I loved to coach them.
“In recent years, we have integrated next generation talents, like rising NBA prospect Olek Balcerowski, top talent Jeremy Sochan (currently a freshman at Baylor), young point guard Lukasz Kolenda and physical center Dominik Olejniczak (Florida State).”
Mike surrounded himself with a quality staff through the years.
“Like the players, I am also appreciative of our coaches and support staff.
“First, conditioning coach Dominik “Dominator” Narojczyk deserves special recognition as he was with me all 111 games over the 7 years.
“Next, Marek Popiolek worked his way up from video guy in 2014 to technical director (GM) in 2021. We worked hard to impact as many Polish coaches as possible and I am proud that many of our assistants are now head coaches in the Polish Energa Basketball League.”
And for some special support the program has been given, throughout Mike’s tenure.
“Finally, I would like to thank the Polish Basketball Federation (Pzkosz) for their support over my 7 plus year run. Specifically, (I would like to thank) Marcin Widomski, for our close work in the beginning and former President Grzegorz Bachanski, for his support during tough times after Eurobasket 2017 and at the mid-point of our World Cup Qualifications after a loss in Hungary. I am proud we repaid your loyalty with our historic success in China.”
Mike closed by saying, “Right now its time to process the ending and spend some family time. One great part of my time with the Polish national team is that it allowed me to balance basketball and family well. The future is wide open and I am excited to see God working in my life and what doors open next.”
Following are quotes from some of Mike’s many friends.
Piotr “Papi” Paprocki Athletes in Action
Mike truly deserves to be recognized for everything he has done for not just the Polish National Team but more importantly for the entire basketball community in Poland.
I am honored to be able to mention a few things about Mike from a slightly different angle. I am probably the only person (being quoted) that doesn’t have a status of a national team player or coach.
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Piotr “Papi” Paprocki. When Mike and I met I was a director of the Polish branch of a faith-based organization called Athletes In Action (www.athletesinaction.org)
We met through a mutual friend, his former player Garrett Stutz (played at Wichita State and now playing professionally in Japan).
When Mike first came to Poland in 2014 at the time our AIA staff was organizing several camps and clinics throughout the year. Knowing he is there, we really wanted to invite him over to speak. Mike has always been very gracious and we were shocked how quickly he responded to our invitation. We knew from the start that he is different and that for Mike basketball is more than just X’s and O’s. I mean don’t get me wrong, he is a basketball junky, but as much as we enjoyed talking about basketball, there was always time to bring up topics such as: family, faith, convictions, building a team culture, finding positive ways to motivate players – all these things that go far beyond basketball.
Even though I was not on his staff, I can honestly say that after spending some time with him, I was always amazed how he adds value to people. When I saw him interacting with others I thought: “Man, this guy really wants other people to be the best they can be!” During clinics he always took time to graciously answer even the most bizarre and sometimes even ridiculous questions. He really wanted to know what coaches struggle with and asked them many questions!
I can honestly say, Mike is a humble servant leader we needed for Polish basketball at the time, and we actually still do. You see, lots of coaching here (and perhaps this is how Polish culture still works, given the fact that mentally we are still in the process of coming out of the mindset of Communism) tends to be still very negative. We still see a lot of coaches using fear as a key motivator. They think that the more harsh they are, the more their players will show them respect. It’s so not true!
And Mike proved that you can still succeed and motivate without being harsh or authoritative. The mindset he was showing us is not easy to acquire! For the past few years I was able to coach at camps with a youth club here in Warsaw. One time Mike was able to come and watch one of the youth practices. Unfortunately I wasn’t there that day. However, sometime later I was pleasantly surprised to find out what came out of that meeting. During pre-season coaches’ meeting the owner of that club – a good friend of mine handed each coach a copy of the club’s handbook. In it, one of the first sections was referring to how coaches will be expected to deal with players. So on the first page there was The # 1 rule, also known as “Coach Taylor’s rule”. The rule says – Praise in public, rebuke behind closed doors”.
It may sound like a trivial and insignificant rule, but turned out to be extremely helpful when it comes to keeping that positive atmosphere and approach players with respect. We are still holding onto this rule and trying to teach it to the next generation of coaches!
Coach Mike for sure will be missed. However the impact he has made is long lasting. He not only took our national team to the next level but he also passed on a belief that Polish basketball can and will become successful and recognized internationally. More importantly, throughout his time in Poland Mike added value to hundreds if not thousands of people; leading not by force, but by his example of a true servant leader. I know he will move on and the next team he will coach – whether it’s another national team or an NBA team – will be very blessed to work with him!
Grzegorz Bachanski (2011-2018) President of Polish Basketball Federation (2018 – Present) Vice-President of Polish Basketball Federation.
I was a President of the Polish Basketball Federation in the term of office 2011-2018. That was my decision to hire Mike Taylor in 2014. That time the situation of our basketball was very difficult after the horrible – for our national team – EuroBasket 2013. We were looking for the young, perspective coach who would like to work very hard both for us and for his position. Among the different candidates (more than 10) we found Mike. He inspired us his passion and enthusiasm and we knew he had worked in Europe for some years.
After almost 8 years our cooperation, I must admit it was good decision to start working with Mike. He took our national team on a higher level. And it is not only about sports results which were excellent. Thanks to his work Mike led all the players to start to treat playing for national team very seriously.
Mike did his best to find the role and goal for every player. Nobody was removed from the list of national team players. Players knew that everybody could play for national team under some circumstances: hard work, hard work and once again hard work.. He built the really TEAM.
Journalists and specialists said the Poland team did not have the stars but they appreciated very much it as (we) worked like a TEAM. There was our sign during the cadency of Mike Taylor
Łukasz Koszarek: Point Guard (2015-2021)
I was a captain 2 years.
When Mike took the National Team, we were coming off the worst performance at the European Championship ever. So the team was down, and he brings to the table amazing positive vibe. Over the past years he has changed our mentality, players started to enjoying their time on the National Team as much as ever. We started to feel like a family.
I personally tried to finish my NT career few times. Mike always convinced me to play, and thanks to him I was able to participate with greatest success in years of Polish Basketball. I consider him like a great, great friend of mine; never forget the times when he defends and supports me.
Mike spent 8 years in Poland and will surely be remembered as one of the best National Team coaches ever.
Marek Popiołek: Video assistant (2014-2016), Sports director (2017-2021)
I’ve been with the National Team since Mike took over. I will always be very grateful to him because he gave me an opportunity to work at this level and has been very patient for me throughout all these years. Watching him work allowed me to develop a lot and learn so many things which helped me not only in professional life but a personal one too.
As the years went by we established a better friendship and trust between us and since 2017 we cooperated on a different level: Mike as a coach and me as a sports director of the team so our cooperation was much more important.
I think Mike, because of his achievements and philosophy will be considered as one of the coaching legends in Poland and I am sure he transformed a lot of valuable ideas and concepts to our coaches and players. I am convinced that a part of his philosophy will be “used” here in Poland by other people and I can say Mike mentored many of us.
He has definitely been somebody special to our basketball and to me personally.
Mateusz Ponitka: Forward
My name is Mateusz Ponitka and I was one of the players who had this great opportunity to work with Mike for the last couple of years. What I want to say about him is that I have never before seen such a positive and easy going person in my life. I built a strong connection with him from the very start. He was the guy who believed in me and trusted from our first conversation. There are so many great stories about him making great or funny things, during our run with the National Team that it’s impossible to describe them all.
Because of his positive energy and the way he coached us, we created an amazing atmosphere inside the team, which helped us to make big things on the court. He put us in the position where Poland was back on the basketball map again. During his time here, we were always in the EuroBasket. We were in the World Cup for the first time since 52 years, and for the first time ever, we also played in qualifications for the Olympic games. I think there was only one coach, beside Mike, in our history who achieved so much with the National Team.
What I truly respect in him is that he always, always believes in his players, in his team. Always. No matter who we played against, no matter what was going on, he was always able to find the way to his players and get everything what was the best from us.
And of course his speeches. Very famous in Poland at the time of the World Cup. Goosebumps during the pre-game talk.
Hell of a personality, great motivator and coach. I will always be thankful to him for trusting me, developing me and letting me just be me, on and off the court. He has been a big part of my career and big part of creating the habit to be the best when it matters the most.
A.J. Slaughter: Point Guard
Mike and I began to build a great relationship back in 2015, as I began the process to become a naturalized citizen for the Polish basketball team. Our relationship quickly grew on the court, but more so off the court. Coach Taylor is an ultra-positive, high character individual. I have to say, he is also one of the highest IQ basketball minds I’ve had the chance to play for.
Sharing all the knowledge gained over the years from his time in the NBA with the Red Claws and Celtics, he helped me expand my game. He was the first coach to see the potential in me playing the point guard position. This move has increased my value in Europe over the years and that’s thanks to Mike’s vision.
Our 6 year run with the Polish national team was amazing. We did great things for basketball in the Country of Poland. We raised the level and opened new doors for the younger generation to follow.
Great Memories
8th place finish in World Cup
Playing and advancing in the Euro Basket
Playing Team USA at the WorldCup
All the birthday pies to the face (lol)
Coach Taylor deserves all the credit for what he did with the Polish national team. Outstanding job and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.
Aaron Cel: Forward
So I will start to talk about coach Mike T by saying that he changed the way people were coaching basketball in Poland. He was the first that applauded when I made a turnover, telling me “good try Aaron, next time it will work, don’t be scared to try again,” or the first to tell me after a missed shot, “that was a great decision, don’t worry about the miss, next time it will goes in” … coach Mike T literally made us believe even more in us that we did! He did that since the beginning and that was the first step to make us accomplish our dream to go to the World Cup with a team we can say was less talented than the others.
The second thing he made sure that was always good was the atmosphere the chemistry, he stayed in touch with all of us during the whole year, even when our next meeting was a few months later. He made sure we had contact with him, by sending all of us some funny video, some funny pics, some funny quotes. These small things made us stay together even when we were not physically together.
He also was smart in his decisions, always trying to bring the best from all of us, for exemple the first EuroBasket we played together in France, Damian Kulig was starting all the games at the power forward position and me ( born in France ) was happy about my role as usual, but before the game against France, Mike T brings Damian K and me for a quick talk and told us that I am going to start against France.
He knew my motivation was on top against France and he was right, unfortunately, we lost by 3 but it was the France team with Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and few others.
But before all that, Mike T is a true pro.
Always ready against any opponent, analyzed day and night how we have to play the next opponent or what was right what was wrong in the last game. So professional that during one travel to somewhere he was scouting the next team we were to play against, and he forgot that we are at the airport and that our plane is taking over in few minutes. We took the flight without him lol
He was so focused on his work that he forgot that we fly in few minutes! Lol
Anyway he took the next one and landed well.
I wish for coach Mike T to join an NBA organization soon, because what he accomplished with the Polish National Team, he deserves to be known and rewarded!
Thank you coach for everything.
Dominik Narojczyk: Strength and Conditioning Coach
From the very beginning, M T was characterized by positive energy. Basketball is his whole life. And each training session gives him joy. Always prepared. Open to cooperation. Perfect motivator and speaker. His positive attitude was never faked.
We have achieved many great successes together
Adam Hrycaniuk: Center
I worked with Mike during his whole journey in Poland
Back in 2014 when Mike was hired, I already had experience with Poland NT for 3 years. I experienced two other coaches and Mike was the third one, to coach the team and try to build a group of people that can put the sport of basketball in Poland on higher stage in Europe.
My first impression of Mike was very positive, especially because I had graduate from school in the US and had more experience working with American coaches than other guys on the team.
His positive attitude, work ethic and preparation was on a very high level. He has been working with some great NBA coaches and with his personality and his passion, he became one of my favorite people that I had been working with.
At the beginning, our situation was not easy. We had to prove all over Europe that the Polish National Team has a great coach and good group of basketball players. We have not had stars, like France, Spain and Italy had, but the team spirit willing to play for the National Team, and the coach that respects you, proved that we can compete with anyone and a few months later we proved it.
After a few days/week, we bought into Mike’s philosophy. We worked hard every day. Three hours in the morning and the same in the evening. His play book was 100 pages thick. The system was on a different level then we were used to. We had never seen something like that. Every small move on the court he anticipated. His meetings before the games or practices were full of great information, great quotes and pictures. He knew how to separate work from the off time. On the court, he was focused on work. Off the court, he was a very great person that listened or tried to solve off the court problems.
After a few years, we became not only a great team, but also great group of people that would jump into the fire after each other. We share our family situations, we were often together at the preparations camp, when our kids were born, meeting wives, family members. All these situations made our relationship even closer and stronger.
The whole organization under Mike Taylor grew up. We built the team that played great as a group, fought in every game no matter who the opponent was. We had beat great teams, through the 7 years and basketball in Poland gained big respect.
Most of us finished our National Team careers along with Mike. We will always have great memories to share. We have believed in ourselves, even though many haven not.
I still stay in touch with Mike and respect him so much as a coach and person, because he had such a big impact on my National Team career and respect him for what has he done here In Poland.
(Congratulations on a Great Run, Mike and Team Poland!!!! What wonderful, lifelong friendships you made!!!! Mike, you make us CLARION PROUD!!!!)