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Officials at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) named Taylor Graham as the College’s head livestock judging coach. Graham succeeds Tyler Dewey. He comes to NEO from Oklahoma State University, where he served as assistant coach for the Cowboys’ livestock program. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Graham will also teach agriculture classes, where he boasts extensive experience in animal science. His official start date is Monday, Sept. 14, 2015. NEO’s livestock program has a long, storied history of success at the national level. The team annually boasts 30-plus members and wins national competitions on a regular basis. In the past three years, the livestock judging team has named the first six All-Americans in the history of the program. NEO consistently ranks among the top five teams in the nation.

“NEO’s Livestock Judging team has been a center of excellence for the college for over 50 years. Coach Graham inherits a program from Tyler Dewey that has great momentum and is coming off one of the best recruiting classes ever,” said NEO President Dr. Jeff Hale. This program is built for success, so we have high expectations for Taylor and our students.”

Graham will be the 10th coach since the livestock program began in the late 1940s. “I’m incredibly honored to become part of such a long-standing and highly regarded agricultural program,” Graham said. “NEO has a legacy of excellence, and it’s easy to see why so many alumni are leaders in all sectors of agriculture. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue and further the NEO program.”

Graham grew up in Crossville, Tennessee and graduated from Stone Memorial High School. He obtained his associate degree from Butler County Community College and transferred to Oklahoma State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture and natural science. Graham is expected to complete his master’s degree in the field of meat science in December 2015. Graham is a three-time All American himself and co-coached:

• Two national champion teams at the National Western Stock Show (2014)
• National champion team at the American Royal (2014)
• Reserve national champion team at the North American International Livestock Expo (2014)

“There is no one I would rather take over the livestock judging program than Taylor Graham. He has the ideal blend of character, leadership and livestock judging ability that it takes to be a great coach,” Dewey said. “Without a doubt, he will continue and build upon the great tradition of excellence established at NEO.” Dewey leaves Graham with a talented recruiting class including students who hail from across the country. To keep up with Coach Graham and NEO Livestock Judging, follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/NEOAMLivestockJudging?fref=ts.

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