Jim Taylor compiled a brilliant record as a head football coach, primarily at Shelby. Taylor, a native of Franklin, attended Franklin High School, then Gardner-Webb Junior College and graduated from Western Carolina, playing football at both Gardner-Webb and WCU. He coached football at Polk Central for four years, from 1970 through '74, while also coaching track and serving as athletic director. His football teams at Polk Central went 28-12 overall. From 1974 through 2005, Taylor coached at Shelby, taking over the helm of the Golden Lions in 1977. He guided Shelby to 10 conference titles, two NCHSAA state championships and two state runner-up finishes. His teams were an outstanding 201-54-2 in his 21 seasons as a head coach there. Since 2005, he has served as the county athletic director for the Cleveland County Schools. He is a former president of the North Carolina Coaches Association and current executive secretary of the North Carolina Football Coaches Association.