New FSU coach urges players, coaches to always do right thing

TALLAHASSEE — The onfield expectations for new Florida State football coach Willie Taggart are clear: he was hired to help the Seminoles regain their footing as the ACC’s top power and compete for conference and national championships.

In the process, Taggart hopes to prepare the Seminoles for life after football, helping players realize their professional potential and graduate.

He also faces a unique challenge leading a program working to get rid of a negative national reputation fueled by past athletes’ trouble off the field.

Taggart said he takes responsibility for his players and coaches, and he gave them a simple and direct message regarding off-field issues when he was hired in December.

“Just do right and do right all the time,” Taggart said last week during ACC spring meetings.

“There are consequences for your actions and they all understand that. I do think every situation is different, but we have rules and we laid them out to our guys. And we’re not going to budge with them. When you do these things, this is what’s going to happen so there are no ifs ands or buts when you do make a mistake.”

Taggart has already disciplined a prominent Florida State player during the first six months of his tenure.

Quarterback Deondre Francois is being disciplined internally after