Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching

Tayler Cook knows a thing or two about winning, and the former George Mason University women’s basketball standout hasn’t wasted any time imparting what she knows. 

In her first year as head coach at Heritage High School in Leesburg, Cook took over a girls’ basketball team that had finished 12-12 the year before, leading the Pride to a remarkable 25-3 record and the program’s first Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 4 state championship. 

“It was definitely a good year and an exciting flip,” said Cook, who earned a BS in physical education from George Mason’s College of Education and Human Development in 2018 before returning for a master’s degree in special education. “I told them before the start of the season that they could win a state title, but they had to believe it.” 

Cook’s impact was almost immediate. Heritage, a Loudoun County school that had never advanced that far since opening in 2002, also claimed Dulles District and Region 4C titles while holding opponents to fewer than 33 points per game, making them one of the toughest defensive teams in Northern Virginia.  

Cook was named Class 4 State Coach of the Year for her efforts. 

“We’re so excited to have her,” said Pride Athletics Director and fellow George Mason alum J. J. Totaro, BS Public Administration ’03. “It takes a real special coach to get players to use their talents selflessly, use them with a team mentality, and rise to the moment when situations get tough. We look forward to seeing what they can do this coming season as well.” 

Cook, who is a special education teacher in addition to coaching basketball, is a former VHSL Player of the Year and daughter of longtime Spotswood High School Coach Chris Dodson, whose career ledger includes 12 district titles, 10 regional crowns, and six state championships. She played a key role in Spotswood’s back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014. 

It seems that winning is in her DNA. 

Cook was a four-year player at George Mason, where she still ranks 14th all-time in assists with 251 and 25th in rebounds with 495. She helped lead the Patriots to a 24-win season and a berth in the 2018 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT) after three consecutive losing seasons. 

Cook took over at Heritage following a successful run guiding Tuscarora High School to back-to-back state tournament appearances. She brought with her a dynamic five-out, spread offense, and a passion for player development. 

“It feels different as a player than as a coach,” Cook said. “As a player, you’re definitely having fun and doing it with your best friends. I just wanted it so bad for them as a coach because I had done it.” 

While Heritage graduated six seniors from this year’s title-winning team, including two starters, Cook likes her team’s chances for next year with the return of several top prospects. 

“It’s a lot of fun, and I truly enjoy coaching them,” she said.