FSU fires Taggart
Willie Taggart is looking for a new job.
The former USF coach, who led the Bulls from 2013-16, was fired by FSU on Sunday after an embarrassing 27-10 loss to Miami on Saturday.
Taggart posted a 9-12 record as coach at FSU, including a 4-5 record so far in 2019. The Seminoles’ 5-7 performance last season was FSU’s first losing season since 1976 and ended an NCAA-record 36-year bowl streak, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
“I think very highly of Coach Taggart and wish him well,” Florida State president John Thrasher said in a statement obtained by the Times, “but in the interest of the university we had no choice but to make a change.”
Taggart’s buyout at FSU does not come cheap: The Seminoles will pay him $17 million to depart.
Following his less than two-year tenure in Tallahassee, Taggart’s overall record as coach is six games below .500 at 56-62, including a 24-25 record at USF.
After departing the Bulls before the 2016 Birmingham Bowl, Taggart was coach at Oregon for one season, leading the Ducks to a 7-5 record before leaving Oregon for the FSU job before the Las Vegas Bowl.
More Stories
USF men’s soccer faces former AAC foe UCF in new 2024 schedule
USF men’s soccer is set to play against ranked teams such as Hofstra and former rival UCF in its new 2024 schedule released on Monday. Both teams are ranked on the United Soccer Coaches Men’s Top 25 Poll, compiled by the largest soccer coaches organization in the world. Hofstra is currently ranked 17th, while UCF […]
Former USF football player killed in car crash
Former USF tight end Teigan Martin was killed in a single-car crash in Minnesota on Monday morning, according to the Carver County Sheriff’s office. First responders responded to a report of a crash on County Road 122 near Hollywood Township, MN, just after 5 a.m., according to a sheriff’s press release. Deputies discovered a vehicle […]
USF’s Jose Fernandez wins gold in international basketball championship
It may be a few weeks until the Olympics, but a familiar face in USF Athletics is already taking home the gold. Related: USF’s Abdul Rasheed Saminu qualifies for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics On Sunday, USF women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez led the women’s USA Basketball U18 team to gold in the 2024 FIBA […]
USF’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu qualifies for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics
Bulls sophomore sprinter Abdul-Rasheed Saminu may have just punched his ticket to the Paris Olympics, representing his home country, Ghana. “Every athlete’s dream is to run in the Olympics,” Saminu said. “I am very thankful to be representing my country.” Saminu, 22, qualified for the Olympics’ 200-meter dash, granting him a spot on Ghana’s roster. […]
Here’s what you missed in USF Athletics this month
June has been a month of transformation for many USF Athletics’ coaching staffs. Over the last few weeks, Athletics Director Michael Kelly has announced leadership changes across various sports. From new hires, to promotions, to extensions, USF sports will consist of a blend of new and old faces in coaching positions. Here are some notable […]
OPINION: USF’s football stadium will add much to college experience
While I love watching college football, I often find myself canceling on my friends when I am invited to a game after looking at the drive time to Raymond James Stadium. Whether you’re a commuter or someone who lives on campus, it’s no secret that going to watch a USF football game is inconvenient. There’s […]