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Diljeet Taylor is the Head Women's Cross Country Coach and Assoc. Director of Track & Field at BYU.
In this RU-vid interview, Jimmy Rex sits down with Diljeet Taylor to discuss her incredible journey. Diljeet shares her story of resilience and determination, from her early days as an immigrant who didn't speak English to becoming a national champion and BYU coach. She talks about the lessons she learned from her upbringing, her love for running, and how she defied cultural expectations to follow her dreams. Diljeet emphasizes the importance of choosing happiness and being a person of value, drawing inspiration from her experiences in kindergarten and playing chess.
Jimmy praises Diljeet for being a true advocate for female empowerment, highlighting the contrast between her approach and the misconceptions surrounding feminism. Diljeet talks about her early struggles with her cultural identity and how running became a source of confidence and freedom in her life. She reflects on the power of the queen piece in chess as a metaphor for her own journey to empowerment.
Diljeet also shares her pivotal decision to leave her family at the age of 18, defying her parents' expectations and cultural norms to pursue her dreams of running. She describes the challenges she faced during this period and how she eventually found her way back to the track.
Jimmy and Diljeet discuss her coaching career, starting with a part-time position at Menlo College and eventually leading to her current role as the head coach of the BYU women's track and field team. Diljeet talks about the culture she has built within her team, emphasizing purpose, gratitude, and empowerment as key values. She shares her vision of being a positive influence in her athletes' lives and helping them chase their dreams.
Throughout the interview, Diljeet's story serves as an inspiring example of determination, resilience, and the power of pursuing one's dreams while staying true to one's values.
BYU to an NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country National Championship (2020-21)
1 Individual Cross Country Champion (Whittni Orton - 2021)
BYU to two national runner-up finishes (2019 & 2021)
BYU to six top-10 finishes at NCAA Championships
BYU athletes to 15 All-America honors
BYU to five West Coast Conference Championships (2018, 2019, 2020-21, 2021, 2022)
49 All-WCC selections
1 CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree
13 USTFCCCA All-Academic honorees
BYU to 20 meet wins
*As of July 2023
Honors:
USTFCCCA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year (2019 & 2020-21)
USTFCCCA Program of the Year (2020-21)
Two-time Women's Cross Country Mountain Region Coach of the Year (2019 & 2020-21)
Three-time USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year (2017, 2022, 2023)
USTFCCA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Mountain Region Assistant Coach of the Year (2021)
*As of July 2023
BYU Women's Distance Coaching Highlights
Has coached BYU athletes to:
5 Individual/Event National Championships (3 indoor & 2 outdoor)
Courtney Wayment (Steeplechase - 2022)
Courtney Wayment (5000m - 2022)
Anna Camp-Bennett (1500m - 2021)
Courtney Wayment (3000m - 2021)
DMR (2021) - Alena Ellsworth, Lauren Ellsworth-Barnes, Olivia Hoj Simister and Courtney Wayment
4 Individual Conference Championships (MPSF, Indoor)
79 All-American honors (47 indoor & 32 outdoor)
47 First Teamers (36 indoor & 11 outdoor)
21 Second Teamers (11 indoor & 10 outdoor)
11 Honorable Mention (all outdoor)
14 School Records (6 indoor & 8 outdoor)
Has also helped BYU women's track and field to top-10 team finishes at both NCAA Division I Indoor and Outdoor National Championship meets (2021 & 2022).
*As of June 12, 2023
Other Coaching Highlights
Coached 16 All-Americans at Cal State Stanislaus
Coached consecutive runner-up finishes in the indoor championships by the distance medley relay team while at Cal State Stanislaus
Helped qualify two athletes to compete in the 2016 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon (men's middle-distance runner Abraham Alvarado and women's javelin thrower Channing Wilson)
Coaching Experience
BYU Head Women's Cross Country Coach and Associate Director of Track and Field (2016-Present)
Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Cal State Stanislaus (2013-16)
Men's and Women's Cross Country Head Coach at Cal State Stanislaus (2007-13)
Distance Coach for Men's and Women's Outdoor Track Team and Women's Indoor Track Team at Cal State Stanislaus (2007-13)
Head Coach at Menlo College (2005-06)
Running Career
Three time All-American in indoor and outdoor track and field during her 1999-2002 career at Cal State Stanislaus
Set school record indoor record in the 800m (2002)
Finished second at the NCAA Indoor Championship in the 800m (2002)