Jimmy Taylor

James A. "Jimmy" Taylor, Sr. (born March 15, 1942) is a businessman and former basketball coach. He is currently the co-owner of Bonedaddy's restaurant in the Village at Lee Branch on U.S. Highway 280 in Inverness.

Basketball coaching career

Taylor graduated from Mississippi State University, then coached basketball at Ensley High School, where he won two city championships. In 1970, Taylor became the youngest NCAA Division I head basketball coach when he was hired by the University of South Alabama at age 28. Taylor coached at USA for five years, then went to Mississippi State as an assistant coach.

Banking

In the early 1980s, Taylor shifted his focus from basketball to banking. He led a team of investors to buy four banks to form Alabama National BanCorporation. After guiding that bank through a merger with National Bank of Commerce, Taylor left the organization in 1996.

In 1997 Taylor bought the John A. Hand Building in downtown Birmingham and led a team that spent millions of dollars restoring it into a bank and condos. In 1998 it became the headquarters for a new financial institution dubbed The Bank which Taylor led until his resignation as president in January 2005. Taylor relenquished his CEO title of The Banc Corporation, which had been renamed Superior Bancorp, in December 2006.

Restaurantuer

Taylor and partner John Cowan, former managing partner of Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Bar, opened Bonedaddy's in August 2007.

Personal

In 2000, Taylor and his wife Martha were awarded the Jefferson Award by the Jefferson County Historical Commission. The Taylor Building, adjacent to the John A. Hand Building on 20th Street North, is named in his honor.

References

• Williams, Roy L. Former coach, banker joining new team. August 15, 2007, Birmingham News.