Ravens' RB Coach Willie Taggart 'A Harbaugh Brother'
Long before Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and running backs coach Willie Taggart began their coaching careers, they were already connected.
Taggart played quarterback for John's father, Jack Harbaugh, at Western Kentucky from 1994 to 1998 and became an assistant for him after he graduated. He then became a running backs coach for Jim Harbaugh in 2007 when he was at Stanford.
Now, Taggart's coaching journey has led him to become the Ravens running backs coach with John at the helm. "We go way back," John said. "He's a Harbaugh brother, we're Taggart brothers. My dad and Willie are so close from the time when Willie was a quarterback through coaching and coaching with my dad, [and] coaching with Jim. Such a close relationship."
For Taggart, John has proven to be similar and different to his father and brother as a coach. "It's been like working for Jack Harbaugh all over [again]," Taggart said. "It was the same way working for Jim, it was like working for Jack Harbaugh. It's been great. they all have different personalities, they all are great coaches and go about doing things their own way...Now I can say I've worked for all three of them."
While early into his tenure, Taggart has already made a strong impression and has built a good relationship with Baltimore running back Justice Hill. "He brings a good energy," Hill said. "A super cool guy and as a running back in the room, you always want that chemistry. He helps build that comradery with all of us."
Taggart, who joined the Ravens staff this offseason, was a head coach in the college ranks from 2010 to 2022 for five different schools, Western Kentucky (2010-2012, the University of South Florida (2013-2016), Oregon (2017), FSU (2018-2019) and Florida Atlantic University (2020-2022).
With his experience in the college ranks, John feels the addition of Taggart will give Baltimore a boost offensively. "Having Willie here is a big advantage for us," John said. "He's a very established coach, a great offensive coach, a great head coach - groundbreaking head coach in so many ways in college football... I know our players love him, he's added so much to our staff. We're rolling with Willie."
Follow the Baltimore Ravens Daily Blitz Podcast
Follow Raven Country on Twitter
Ravens Alert! Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Baltimore Ravens?
