At the regularly-scheduled Kirkwood School District Board of Education meeting on Monday, July 24, 2023, the Board of Education approved the recommendation of the appointment of Mr. Nelson Taylor as the next boys head basketball coach at Kirkwood High School. Taylor will succeed Coach Sam Briscoe, who stepped down to take a new position outside of the District.

For the last 13 years, Taylor has been an instrumental part of the KHS boys basketball program, serving as Freshman Head Coach and JV Head Coach. Most recently, he served as Varsity Assistant coach on last year’s 24-3 District Runner up team. In addition to coaching, Nelson serves as a grade-level counselor at Nipher Middle School, a role he has fulfilled for the past eight years. Taylor holds a  Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology  from Hampton University and a Master’s degree from Webster University. 

"We are extremely excited to announce that Mr. Nelson Taylor will be leading our boys’ basketball program next year and beyond,” said Corey Nesslage, KHS athletic director. "Over the last 13 years, he has brought a steady hand and consistency to the entire basketball program, while also being a great mentor and role model to all involved. We look forward to the possibilities his leadership will bring and are enthusiastic about the positive impact he will make on our student athletes in the coming seasons."