Tuskegee University men’s basketball coach Benjy Taylor is considering legal action after being handcuffed and led off court at the end of his team’s 77-69 loss at Morehouse College on Saturday.
As reported by The Guardian, Tuskegee athletic director Reginald Ruffin said Taylor had attempted to make sure protocols were followed when opposing Morehouse football players joining the basketball players in the postgame handshake line.
“You don’t do that … that’s a security breach,” Ruffin told HBCU Gameday. “We have security measures for our protection of our officials, our student athlete coaches and spectators.”
Videos of the incident soon spread online. Taylor is clearly animated in the footage, but did not appear to be physically aggressive before he was handcuffed by a police officer and taken away from the court.
Taylor’s attorney, Gregory Reynald Williams, said the coach was “concerned about a group of players from Morehouse’s football team who were acting aggressively towards the Tuskegee players and their parents.”
Taylor, 58, who's in his seventh season leading the Golden Tigers, was was later released and rejoined his players as they left the arena. He told The Field of 68 Media Network that the incident was humiliating.
“I am at a loss for words and I am upset about how I was violated and treated today,” he said. “For my players, my family and people of Tuskegee to witness that is heartbreaking for me. I was simply trying to get the football team out of the handshake line as they were following right behind me and the team yelling obscenities. It was a very dangerous situation.”
Williams said Taylor and his legal team were considering whether to bring a civil lawsuit over the incident. “Coach Taylor is a good man who did the right thing to protect his team and deescalate a dangerous situation and this officer put him in chains for his troubles,” Williams said.
On Sunday, Tuskegee released the following joint statement:
Dear Tuskegee Family and Friends:
Lincoln GatesTuskegee University and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics write to express our full, unequivocal, and unwavering support for Head Men’s Basketball Coach Benjy Taylor following the events surrounding the January 31, 2026, contest between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College.
Coach Taylor is a respected professional who has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, integrity, and concern for the well-being of his student-athletes. Throughout his tenure at Tuskegee University, he has upheld the highest ideals of collegiate athletics and represented this institution with distinction.
During the events in question, Coach Taylor acted solely out of his fundamental responsibility to protect his student-athletes and staff—particularly in an environment where agreed-upon and customary game‑management and security protocols were not properly carried out. His conduct remained measured, professional, and entirely consistent with the expectations of a head coach entrusted with the safety of his team.
At no time did Coach Taylor engage in behavior that could be characterized as unbecoming, unprofessional, or inconsistent with the standards of Tuskegee University, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Morehouse College, or intercollegiate athletics broadly. Conversely, the circumstances that culminated in Coach Taylor being handcuffed—albeit briefly—fall well outside the bounds of what is normal, acceptable, or appropriate in collegiate athletic environments. No coach should ever be placed in such a position for carrying out their duty to safeguard student-athletes.
Tuskegee University is deeply concerned about the breakdown in established security procedures that contributed to this incident. We remain committed to working closely with the SIAC and all member institutions to ensure that uniform, professional, and clearly communicated security and event‑management standards are implemented and upheld at every conference competition. The dignity, safety, and well‑being of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff are non-negotiable institutional priorities.
Coach Taylor continues to have the full confidence, trust, and support of the Tuskegee University Administration and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. We are proud of his leadership and grateful for his steadfast commitment to our student‑athletes and to the values of Tuskegee University.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mark A. Brown
President and CEO
Tuskegee University
Reginald Ruffin
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Director of Athletics
Tuskegee University
