Taggart working to instill accountability
TALLAHASSEE — New Florida State coach Willie Taggart’s constant message to the Seminoles football players is far from subliminal. Blame no one. Make no excuses. And of course, Taggart’s favorite catchphrase: Do something.
The three phrases are displayed on large banners draped on the perimeter of FSU’s practice fields are one of Taggart’s new imprints on the Seminoles program as he nears his fourth month on the job.
The words of encouragement, along with a speed limit sign that simply says “fast,” are meant to foster accountability and discipline within the Seminoles — areas Taggart where felt FSU needed drastic improvement.
Sure, Taggart may have used the same tactics during his lone season at Oregon last year.
But his mission at FSU is quite different. Taggart is tasked with reviving a program that was ranked No. 2 nationally entering the 2017 season but underwhelmed with a 7-6 campaign. And he has a team loaded with talent primed to return to ACC and national prominence.
“Those words that you see out there, I personally think it’s pretty much all you need with a work ethic to be successful,” Taggart said. “I think all of it is simple. It’s not easy because of all the distractions. But they were making excuses for not being successful.
“I tell our guys, ‘Don’t make excuses for anything. You have ability. The Lord blessed you with unbelievable talent, then that’s on you. Don’t blame the coach for anything, that’s on you. Don’t blame anyone else for not being the starter, for not getting a rep, for not getting the grades that you want or for not doing what you were saying you were going to do when you came here.’
“I want that to be a constant reminder for our guys. Each and every last one of them can do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it. It’s which one of them is going to have the discipline, the accountability and the work ethic to get it done.”
The Seminoles wrapped their second week of spring practice Saturday with the first of two scrimmages before their annual Garnet and Gold spring game on April 14 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
As Taggart continues to install his Gulf Coast offense and players get used to the new faster pace of play, the Seminoles seem to be taking the messages to heart.
“I love them,” FSU quarterback Deondre Francois said. “It reminds us to do something. Don’t make [any] excuses. They’re in big fonts. You have no excuses to make.”
When Taggart took the job in December, one aspect he noticed the most while reviewing FSU game film was the players’ knack for not playing for one another. The Seminoles grew weary of the burden from last season’s tribulations and it affected their play.
While players may or may not have blamed each other or faulted their previous coaching staff, Taggart wants the Seminoles to realize they are in full control of their own fate as football players and teammates.
“You shouldn’t point fingers at anyone. I think our guys understand that,” Taggart said.
“We’re trying to get them to understand that as a team. What our players need to understand is they need to play for each other, first and foremost. If they do that, it will take care of a lot of issues.”
Junior defensive end Brian Burns says Taggart’s motivation tactics have been welcomed among the players, especially with the way last season unfolded. But Burns insists the Seminoles were pushed to be accountable under the previous coaching staff.
“The new things he’s implementing to the program are awesome. Everybody is on board and everybody is positive,” Burns said. “It was not lacking [last year], but now that it’s reinforced.
“Everyone is buying into it a lot more.”