Tay Baker, Class of 2025
September 24, 1927 - September 29, 2026
The Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Tay Baker, who died peacefully at home on September 29, 2026, surrounded by his family - five days after reaching his goal of celebrating his 99th birthday. Until his death, he was the oldest living head college basketball coach in the country.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio, Tay graduated from Hamilton High School in 1945 and attended the University of Cincinnati, where his studies were interrupted by two years of service in the Army Airborne. He returned to UC, played basketball, and earned his Master of Education.
His teaching and coaching career began at Miamisburg, Lebanon, and Wyoming high schools before UC hired him as freshman basketball coach, with track and field duties added upon his arrival. In 1960, Tay was named Ed Jucker's top assistant, helping the Bearcats win back-to-back NCAA championships in 1961 and 1962 - and Jucker himself credited Tay as the "X's and O's man" behind those teams' success.
Promoted to head coach in 1965, Tay made an immediate impact, winning the Missouri Valley Conference championship in his first season and reaching the NCAA Elite 8, compiling a 125-60 record over seven years. A fortuitous call after his retirement from UC opened a new chapter at crosstown rival Xavier, where he found a community that became his second family. His Volunteer Classic team victory over Tennessee was what the Cincinnati Enquirer called "A Masterpiece in Coaching," and before retiring, Tay spearheaded Xavier's entry into the Midwestern City Conference - the launchpad for the success and reputation the Musketeers enjoy today in the Big East.
Retirement gave Tay the chance to pursue his passion for golf. Over decades at Clovernook Country Club he won two club championships, was a Memorial Tournament Honoree, and was recognized city-wide as a Legend of Golf for his work growing the game. He died with induction into nine Halls of Fame, and was enshrined in the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025 - his induction speech, delivered at age 97, lives on our YouTube channel.
Tay was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Patricia "Pat" (Nagel), his fellow Bearcat. He is survived by four children - Taylor Baker, Jr., Denise Bond, Jill Baker Braun, and Cindy Baker - along with nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
