Georgia women’s basketball coach returns to sideline 2 days after giving birth
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Hours after coaching her team to a victory, Georgia women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor gave birth to her second child.

Two days later, she was back on the sideline.

Not to coach — only to observe her Lady Bulldogs’ win at the helm of assistant coach Karen Lange.

Taylor, who had her daughter Drew Simone on Feb. 19, sat and watched from a unique position. She didn’t stand much for the Feb. 21 game, where she was in high spirits and drew even more respect from her players.

“I realize that she really can do it all,” Georgia freshman point guard Maya Caldwell said in the Macon Telegraph. “She’s super woman to me. She’s such a great coach, mom, wife and friend. That’s a lot to do, especially in this program.”

Georgia women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor and junior forward Stephanie Paul. Photo: AP

Taylor is Georgia’s fourth-year head coach. On the night after the squad’s 78-56 victory over Ole Miss, she realized she may be going into labor, according to the Telegraph. She left the gym around 11:30 p.m. that Monday evening and was in the hospital by 3:30 a.m.

She delivered a 6 lb., 8 oz. baby in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Taylor and her husband Darius are also parents to 2-year-old Jacie.

“I can’t express how much joy Drew has already brought to our family,” coach Taylor said in a statement. “We want to thank everyone in the Georgia community for your prayers and encouragement during this happy time in our lives.”

Taylor, who didn’t take time off leading up the birth, indicated her presence at games may not be constant, which, of course, is understandable.