FSU Football Officially Fulfills Willie Taggart's Buyout
Florida State University officially fulfilled the buyout of former football head coach Willie Taggart on Wednesday. This was initially reported by Tampa Bay Times reporter Matt Baker.
Taggart went 9-12 during his tenure in Tallahassee. His first season with the Seminoles in 2018 saw a 5-7 record – the first time the Garnet and Gold missed the postseason since 1976, Bobby Bowden’s first year as head coach at FSU. After a 4-5 start, he was fired in November of 2019 following a 27-10 loss to Miami at home.
Longtime defensive line coach Odell Haggins took over the squad as the interim head coach and led the ’Noles to a 6-6 record and a Sun Bowl berth. There they lost to the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Mike Norvell replaced Taggart in December of 2019. Since his arrival, the Seminoles have endured seasons of 3-6 (COVID-19 year), 5-7, 10-3, and 13-1. The 2023 team brought the first conference championship to Tallahassee since 2014 as well as the first New Year’s Six appearance since 2016.
Taggart did not pick up a win against Florida State’s in-state rivals (Miami and UF). Norvell has a 3-0 record against Miami (3-1 if you count the 2020 game, he did not coach due to a positive COVID-19 test) and a 2-1 record against Florida (the Seminoles and the Gators did not play each other in 2020).
Taggart was fired from Florida Atlantic in 2022 after three consecutive five-win seasons. He currently works as the running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens.
READ MORE: Former FSU Football Star Jordan Travis Reveals Thoughts On Historic Playoff Snub
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