Diljeet Taylor

Diljeet Taylor
Taylor meeting with Utah government officials in January 2022
Personal information
Born (1977-10-05) October 5, 1977[1][2]
Sport
Country United States
SportAthletics
Event
800 meters
College teamStanislaus State Warriors track and field
Now coachingBYU Cougars cross country, BYU Cougars track and field (women)
Swoosh TC Provo
Achievements and titles
Personal bests800 m: 2:07.76 (2004)[3]
1500 m: 4:29.30 (2003)[4]
3000 m: 10:25.05 (2002)[5]

Diljeet Dosanjh Taylor (formerly Mendoza; born October 5, 1977) is an American track and field coach and former runner. She is the head coach of the BYU Cougars track and field and cross country women's teams, which she coached to 2020 and 2024 national team titles. She also coaches a professional team for Nike.

Raised in California, Taylor was a NCAA Division II Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships runner-up in the 800 meters for the Stanislaus State Warriors track and field team. She coached at Menlo College and Stanislaus State before moving to Utah to coach BYU. In 2021, she became the first non-Mormon head coach at BYU in any sport for at least 50 years. Taylor has been described as an 'outspoken feminist in Mormon country'.

Early life

Diljeet Dosanjh was born on October 5, 1977.[1][2] She is Sikh, and was one of four siblings. Her parents were from India, where they both ran competitively at the youth level. Her uncle competed in the 1964 Olympic decathlon.[6] She grew up in a Punjabi-speaking household and only learned English after kindergarten.[7]

She attended Ceres High School in Ceres, California, where she played tennis and ran track and field.[8] She was 3rd in the 400 m at the 1994 Stanislaus County championships, running 62 seconds.[9]

Dosanjh was encouraged to participate in high school sports, but due to Indian cultural pressure she was discouraged to compete beyond high school. She was recruited to run for the Stanislaus State Warriors track and field team, but instead took a three-year hiatus from the sport.[10] She graduated high school in 1995 and married Enrique "Henry" Mendoza in April 1996, diverging with the wishes of her Indian parents, and worked full-time as a bank employee.[11][6][12]

Mendoza eventually attended Stanislaus State and competed on their cross country team as a sophomore in 1999.[13] On April 27, 2000, she was named the Turlock Journal athlete of the week for qualifying for the NCAA Division II Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 800 m.[14] She was ranked 11th going into the championships but finished 6th in her semi-final and did not advance to the finals.[15][16]

She earned her bachelor's degree in six semesters, graduating with a degree in liberal studies in the spring of 2000.[17][18][6] Returning as a graduate student studying for a master's degree in education, Mendoza placed 85th at the 2000 NCAA Division II cross country West regional qualifier.[6][19]

At the 2001 Bill Cosby Invitational, Mendoza set a school record of 2:20.47 in the indoor 800 meters, which she later improved to 2:16.05[20][21] Outdoors in 2001, Mendoza was 3rd in 2:11.85 at the Stanford Invitational.[22] She set a 2:10.82 800 m personal best and qualified for the NCAA championships, but did not advance to the finals.[23][24]

Mendoza was 67th at the 2001 NCAA Division II cross country West regional.[25] Indoors in 2002, Mendoza improved her school record to 2:14.46, 2:14.02, and then 2:13.37.[26][27][28] She was named the CCAA's track and field athlete of the week for February 25 to March 3.[29] She posted the 3rd-fastest semi-final time at the 2002 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships, improving her school record to 2:09.97.[30] In the finals, she improved her record again to 2:08.94 to finish runner-up behind Katerina Glosová.[31]

In her final season of eligibility, Mendoza qualified for the 2002 outdoor Division II nationals in the 800 m, 1500 m, and 4 × 400 m relay.[32] She won the 1500 meters at the 2002 California Collegiate Athletic Association conference championships and was runner-up in the 800 m.[33][34] At the Division II national championships, Mendoza finished 7th in the 800 m and 1500 m finals.[35] She ended her collegiate career as a three-time NCAA Division II All-American and as her school's athlete of the year.[34][36]

She remained at Stanislaus State as an administrative assistant after exhausting her athletic eligibility.[6] Mendoza continued to train with the team and competed in track unattached while also playing tennis at a club level.[37][38]

During the 2002-03 season, Mendoza worked as an assistant to the Stanislaus State Warriors men's basketball team under head coach Mike Terpstra. The school's athletic director received a letter stating that Mendoza was sexually harassed by Terpstra, but Mendoza later testified that she was not harassed.[39]

Coaching career

Mendoza got her graduate's degree in 2004.[40] From 2005 to 2007, Mendoza coached for the Menlo Oaks track and field team in Atherton, California.[41] She coached the women's team to a California Pacific Conference cross country title in 2006.[42] She also competed as a professional for the Nike Farm Team in 2006 under the name Diljeet Dosanjh.[43][44]

Dosanjh married Cal State Stanislaus basketball player Ira Taylor, who is a Mormon.[45][7] Under the name Diljeet Taylor, she began working for Stanislaus State in 2007 as the head cross country coach.[42][46] Taylor continued coaching as a new mother in 2010.[47] She became the school's interim track and field coach in 2013, and was appointed as director of track and field and cross country in June 2013.[48]

Taylor coached 3:52 mile runner Abraham Alvarado at Stanislaus.[49] Also under Taylor, Courtney Anderson won a Division II national championship individually.[34]

Taylor was offered an interview to coach the Brigham Young University team in 2016, which she accepted in order to visit family living in Utah. She didn't expect to get the job; as an athlete, she had once been kicked out of BYU's indoor track facility for wearing a sports bra while training.[7]

Nonetheless later that year, Taylor was named as women's assistant cross country and distance running coach for the BYU Cougars track and field team.[50][51] While at BYU in 2019, Taylor coached the Mormon school's first out LGBT athlete Emma Gee, who she encouraged to be her 'best self'.[52]

In 2019, Taylor was inducted into the Stanislaus State Warriors Hall of Fame 2020 class.[34] She considered leaving BYU for a position to coach the Stanford Cardinal track and field team but chose to stay at BYU to support Meghan Hunter, who broke her neck in a car crash but was able to recover and win a Big 12 Conference championship over 800 m.[7]

At the 2020 NCAA Division I cross country championships (held in March 2021 due to COVID-19), Taylor coached the BYU women to their first cross country national title since 2003.[53]

Taylor, Ed Eyestone, and various BYU Cougars track and field athletes meeting with Utah governor Spencer Cox in January 2022

Taylor was promoted to head BYU Cougars cross country coach in 2021. As a Sikh, she was believed to be the first non-Mormon head coach at the school in any sport for at least 50 years.[54]

In 2022, Taylor announced the launch of a new professional running group based in Provo, Utah called Taylor Made Elite. The group consisted mainly of BYU runners who had turned professional, and she would continue to coach the BYU school teams alongside the pro group. The group was unaffiliated with any shoe sponsor.[55] She launched a mobile app called Status Strong in 2023 for tracking mental health in athletes.[56]

In June 2024, Taylor was a part of Nike Athlete Think Tank, a program to provide support to female athletes. She was in the third cohort of the program with Dawn Staley, Emma Hayes, and Jenny Lang Ping.[57] In November, she led the BYU women to win the 2024 NCAA Division I cross country championships, her second national team title, alongside the men's team which also won under coach Ed Eyestone.[45][58] Taylor published a book, Believe in Her: Why Girls Need Confidence and How to Cultivate It, in July 2024.[59]

In February 2025, Taylor signed with Nike, Inc. to coach Swoosh Track Club Provo, a new professional team replacing Taylor Made Elite. She continued to coach at BYU alongside her pro team.[60] She was selected to attend Faith Kipyegon's Breaking4 event as a track and field luminary.[61] Taylor was named Utah Governor's 2025 State of Sport Awards Coach of the Year.[62]

While at BYU, Taylor has been described as 'an outspoken feminist in Mormon country'. She said that she occupied a unique 'trifecta' of being a woman in a position of power, a minority, and not a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that "some people on campus don't like me". She is known for both her personal style and individualistic coaching methods using positive reinforcement. She often uses metaphors in coaching and emphasizes positive thinking.[7]

Due to her reputation, Taylor is able to earn money from paid speeches, allowing her to wear Louis Vuitton and Gucci clothing that she became known for. Her race outfits have become the subject of commentary, having once also worn custom pants with images of her athletes on them.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "She Wasn't Supposed to Make a Career Out of Running. Now She Can't Stop Winning". runnersworld.com.
  2. 1 2 @diljeetdosanjhtaylor; (October 5, 2024). "Making the years count instead of counting the years. Grateful for another year around the sun and grateful to be in a place in life that my wishes are for others. #mywishforyou #birthdaywishes #blessings #october5 #punjabi #indianwomen #birthdaywish #diya" – via Instagram.
  3. ↑ Diljeet Taylor at Tilastopaja (subscription required)
  4. ↑ "CSU STANISLAUS". The Modesto Bee. April 6, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Stanislaus' Sprague sets school mark". The Modesto Bee. April 28, 2002. p. 33. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "GOING HER OWN WAY". The Modesto Bee. February 27, 2002. p. 19. Retrieved July 11, 2026. "MENDOZA: Runner has sights set on national championships". The Modesto Bee. February 27, 2002. p. 21. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "This Stylish Track Coach Won't Change for Her 'Haters'". nytimes.com.
  8. ↑ "Turlock 3rd in water polo". Turlock Journal. October 19, 1992. p. 12. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Track & Field". The Modesto Bee. March 26, 1994. p. 12. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Warriors' talented core should lead to a solid track season". Turlock Journal. February 24, 2001. p. 10. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Ceres High". The Modesto Bee. June 9, 1995. p. 15. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Licensed to wed". The Modesto Bee. April 8, 1996. p. 38. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  13. ↑ "CROSS COUNTRY CCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS at UC Riverside". Turlock Journal. October 25, 1999. p. 11. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Athletes of the week". Turlock Journal. April 27, 2000. p. 9. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Bound for the DII Nationals". Turlock Journal. May 24, 2000. p. 11. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Oliver, Moulton earn All-American status". The Modesto Bee. May 27, 2000. p. 27. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Stan State track success close to home". The Modesto Bee. April 13, 2001. p. 27. Retrieved July 11, 2026. "FOCUS: Duyst has a knack for developing local talent". The Modesto Bee. April 13, 2001. p. 28. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  18. ↑ "STANISLAUS STATE GRADUATES". The Modesto Bee. June 1, 2000. p. 17. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  19. ↑ "College". Turlock Journal. November 4, 2000. p. 15. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  20. ↑ "CSUS track team has record day at Cosby Invite". Turlock Journal. February 13, 2001. p. 7. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Warriors qualify for Nationals". Turlock Journal. February 27, 2001. p. 7. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  22. ↑ "TRACK & FIELD". Turlock Journal. April 2, 2001. p. 7. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  23. ↑ "STANISLAUS STATE TRACK". The Modesto Bee. April 30, 2001. p. 24. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  24. ↑ "COLLEGE TRACK". The Modesto Bee. May 26, 2001. p. 27. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  25. ↑ "NCAA Div II West Regional". The Modesto Bee. November 4, 2001. p. 40. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Track & Field". The Modesto Bee. February 3, 2002. p. 35. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Steele sets jump mark". Turlock Journal. February 11, 2002. p. 5. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Big efforts at track by Warriors". The Modesto Bee. February 24, 2002. p. 12. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Mendoza track & field Athlete of the Week". Turlock Journal. March 8, 2002. p. 8. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Mendoza advances at NCAA Indoors". The Modesto Bee. March 9, 2002. p. 12. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Mendoza second at nationals". Turlock Journal. March 11, 2002. p. 5. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Mendoza leads runners at Stanford". The Modesto Bee. March 31, 2002. p. 29. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Stan St. runners take titles". The Modesto Bee. May 12, 2002. p. 31. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "Stanislaus State announces inductees". The Modesto Bee. December 4, 2019. p. B2. Retrieved July 11, 2026. "FROM PAGE 2B WARRIORS". The Modesto Bee. December 4, 2019. p. B7. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Mendoza 7th twice at Division II track". The Modesto Bee. May 26, 2002. p. 41. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Track star wins 3 awards". Turlock Journal. May 17, 2002. p. 7. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  37. ↑ "CAL STATE STANISLAUS". The Modesto Bee. March 29, 2003. p. 25. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  38. ↑ "WOMEN'S TEAM TENNIS: TURLOCK C TEAM TAKE FIRST". Turlock Journal. November 7, 2003. p. 9. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Trial starts today". The Modesto Bee. April 19, 2005. p. 23. Retrieved July 11, 2026. "SUIT: Trial will start today in Superior Court". The Modesto Bee. April 19, 2005. p. 28. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Master's degree recipients from California State University, Stanislaus". Turlock Journal. June 5, 2004. p. 28. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  41. ↑ "New cross country and track & field coaches". Turlock Journal. October 24, 2007. p. 14. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  42. 1 2 "New XC coach has "big shoes to fill"". Turlock Journal. November 10, 2007. p. 9. Retrieved July 11, 2026. "CSUS FROM PAGE A9". Turlock Journal. November 10, 2007. p. 10. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  43. ↑ "SCOREBOARD". The Modesto Bee. May 7, 2006. p. C6. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  44. ↑ "SCOREBOARD". The Register-Guard. April 23, 2006. p. 33. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  45. 1 2 "Diljeet Taylor". byucougars.com.
  46. ↑ "Fresh faces, veterans push for strong XC season". Turlock Journal. September 10, 2008. p. 22. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Cross country". The Modesto Bee. January 22, 2010. p. 21. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  48. ↑ "TAYLOR'S CSUS TRACK ROLE GROWS". The Modesto Bee. June 16, 2013. p. C1. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Cross country". The Modesto Bee. September 12, 2014. p. C2. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Stan State cross country coach a 'Valley guy'". The Modesto Bee. August 13, 2016. p. B2. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  51. ↑ "10". The Modesto Bee. December 31, 2016. p. B3. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Being LGBTQ athlete at BYU complicated for Gee". Courier-Post. July 5, 2019. p. B5. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Stanislaus State Hall of Famer guides BYU to cross country national title". The Modesto Bee. March 17, 2021. p. B2. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  54. ↑ "IN GOOD FAITH". The Oklahoman. July 25, 2022. p. B1. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Pro Running's Newest Girl Gang Is in Utah". runnersworld.com.
  56. ↑ "This College Running Coach Launched a Mental Health App for Her Athletes—and You Can Use It, Too". runnersworld.com.
  57. ↑ "Staley's in Nike's Athlete Think Tank 3.0". Anderson Independent-Mail. June 9, 2024. p. B3. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  58. ↑ "How Coach Diljeet Taylor and BYU Struck Gold at Back-to-Back NCAA Championships". runnersworld.com.
  59. ↑ "Diljeet Taylor and the power of believing". deseret.com.
  60. ↑ "Diljeet Taylor Signs On As Nike Pro Coach To Oversee Swoosh TC In Utah, Will Remain At BYU". citiusmag.com.
  61. ↑ "Kipyegon comes up short for historic time". The Oregonian. June 27, 2025. p. B6. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Coach of the Year". utahsportscommission.com.

Works

  • Believe in Her: Why Girls Need Confidence and How to Cultivate It. Streamline Books. July 3, 2024. ISBN 979-8891651562.
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