Reviving the ’Noles
New coach Taggart invites FSU legends to assist program
TALLAHASSEE — Willie Taggart, a Palmetto native who grew up cheering for Florida State, looked forward to taking over a program with an elite football tradition.
He thought he would soon be immersed in a proud, winning culture he admired as a child. But after accepting the FSU job in December, something just did not feel right.
“From being afar and what I thought Florida State football was all about, I got here and I didn’t feel that same feeling I had from afar,” Taggart said.
“I just felt like there was a disconnect for some reason.”
During the spring, Taggart has worked to bridge the gap and continue a healing process for the FSU program after former coach Jimbo Fisher left during one of the worst football seasons in school history.
Taggart has earned praise from FSU administrators, players and fans for energizing the program. His highest profile move was reaching out to legendary former FSU coach Bobby Bowden and a slew of Seminoles legends with the hope of reconnecting the program’s rich past with its present and future.
“I wanted to get all our ’Noles back together and make them realize it’s their team,” Taggart said. “To me, that’s what Florida State is all about: the family and the passion people have for Florida State football — no matter who’s the coach, me or anyone else.
“It’s Florida State, and I want them to be passionate about it and love this program no matter what.”
During FSU’s spring practice the last three weeks, Taggart has invited Bowden, former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Charlie Ward, former standout receiver Peter Warrick and Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks among other guests to speak to the Seminoles.
“He’s done a good job reaching out and welcoming guys back, and guys feel welcomed to come back,” Ward said before meeting with the team Friday. “We like the energy he’s bringing. He’s been fruitful so far.”
Bowden, 88, visited practice earlier this week — his first team practice since being forced to retire in 2009.
“I enjoy being around him,” Bowden said of Taggart. “He’s got a good personality, and he seems to always be happy. And that’s the kind of people you like to be around.”
Outside of speaking engagements on behalf of the university and a few appearances at football games, Bowden intentionally tried to stay away from the program when Fisher assumed the head coaching job in 2010.
When Taggart met Bowden at his home in late February, Taggart extended an olive branch to Bowden that the Hall of Fame coach has embraced.
“It probably took Coach Bowden some time to give some space to Coach Fisher,” Ward said. “But the good thing about Coach Taggart, he grew up watching Coach Bowden . ... There are a lot of things that [Taggart] wants to emulate that Coach Bowden did during our time at Florida State.”
Former FSU fullback Zack Crockett, a scout with the Oakland Raiders who met with Taggart and the Seminoles during FSU’s Pro Day last month, loves the fact former players have been invited to connect with the current Seminoles.
Crockett said it is important for players to know the FSU legends who blazed the trails at their respective positions and learn from those standout players.
“For these guys to really see us, it’s not a fairy tale to them anymore,” Crockett said. “They can really put their hands on us, talk to us, get game knowledge from us and hook their wagons to us. And try to figure out how we played this game for so long, what made us great and what on and off the field made us better.
“For [Taggart] to bring the alumni back, it’s an amazing thing. I really think he hit it out the park with this one.”
The current Seminoles, working to grasp a new playing style this spring, welcomed Taggart’s idea of embracing FSU’s rich history.
Quarterback Deondre Francois, a former Orlando Olympia standout, said it was “special” to have Bowden and numerous former FSU Seminoles players meet with the team.
“It’s neat that he’s doing all that,” Francois said of Taggart. “He’s showing us the history and the culture from what Florida State came from.
“For him to just get here and already take that role of bringing all of those guys back, it shows that Coach Taggart really cares about Florida State.”
Legacy defensive tackle Frederick Jones, whose father Fred (1983-86) and uncle Marvin (1990-92) played at Florida State, said his teammates have taken advantage of the visits, gaining firsthand knowledge from the former players.
“He’s building a legacy and a new era,” Jones said of Taggart. “He’s bringing the old players back. Maybe we can learn something from them and learn a new perspective. It’s a good thing he’s trying to implement.”
It’s been about four months since the end of last season, but the FSU program has made significant strides after Fisher was hired away by Texas A&M in December.
The Seminoles were in the midst of a disappointing 5-6 season that started with national-title aspirations and saw Fisher shy away from the program he returned to national prominence after a bumpy end to Bowden’s tenure.
That’s when the healing process first began for the Seminoles, with longtime assistant Odell Haggins leading FSU to two victories as interim coach to end last season. He helped the Seminoles post a 7-6 record and extend the nation’s longest bowl streak to 36 straight seasons.
The Seminoles have tried to not hold any resentment toward Fisher, who agreed to the richest guaranteed contract in college football history, a 10-year $75 million deal with the Aggies.
“It was kinda upsetting that Coach Fisher left,” former cornerback and NFL hopeful Tarvarus McFadden said. “But you have to take opportunities when they come — you know, $75 million doesn’t come every day.
“There is no bad blood between Coach Fisher and the rest of us. Coach Fisher taught us a lot.”
But the Seminoles love the fact Taggart and his new coaching staff want to be at Florida State.
“Tagg is a new guy coming in, electrifying the kids and refreshing the air around there. He’s bringing a lot of energy to the atmosphere in ’Nole Land right now,” Crockett said. “I think it’s really going to shock a lot of guys in the ACC next season.”
Added McFadden: “I feel like the culture has changed at Florida State. The guys, you just look around and they just all seem happy. I think it’s going to be different this year for Florida State.”
Ward said FSU’s new coaching staff is oozing with passion and enthusiasm, excited to coach their new players at a storied program.
Ward says that eagerness stems from Taggart, whose personality reminds him of his former coach.
“He likes to connect with people, and he’s very much a people person, very similar to Coach Bowden,” Ward said of Taggart. “He knows our rich tradition and history, and it was one of the reasons why he left where he was to come to Florida State.
“I just think it is part of his DNA and his makeup of who he is and how he wants to be remembered as a Florida State head coach.”
The Seminoles will take one more step toward their healing process during the annual Garnet and Gold spring game next Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.
An old-school theme will be embraced with Bowden, former longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews and laundry list of former FSU players expected to attend.
Then, the onus is on Taggart to help FSU regain its footing in the ACC and nationally beginning next season.
Taggart has been surprised receiving so much praise so early in his tenure, even with FSU yet to take the field against an opponent under his leadership.
And Taggart knows his tenure will ultimately be judged against the accomplishments Bowden and Fisher achieved at the school, highlighted by three national championships.
When asked about the next imprint he wants to implement in his Florida State tenure, Taggart could not help but flash a beaming smile with a hearty laugh.
“Just win,” Taggart said.