Taft basketball coach Derrick Taylor won’t return after district investigation

Taft coach Derrick Taylor speaks to his team during the City Section Open Division playoff opener against King/Drew in February. Taft coach Derrick Taylor, who piloted the Toreadors boys’ basketball team to a City Section Open Division title last winter, has been informed by the Los Angeles Unified School District that he won’t be permitted to teach at Taft and won’t return as head coach, he told The Times on Tuesday. When asked for comment in May, a district spokesperson told The Times the investigation was related to “allegations of improper adherence to District policy regarding COVID-19 testing procedures at Taft related to students involved in some of our athletic programs.” “While we cannot discuss personnel matters due to employee confidentiality, we take our ongoing commitment to students very seriously,” a district spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Times. “This includes conducting appropriate investigations when concerns are raised and ensuring personnel actions are taken in accordance with Los Angeles Unified policy.” Taylor is one of the most decorated coaches in City Section basketball history, notching his 500th coaching win last year as part of the City-winning season.