Haggins has team’s backing
Count current and former Florida State players as fans of removing the interim tag on Odell Haggins and making him the program’s next head coach.
Several players like Marvin Wilson, Corey Durden, Jaiden Woodbey, Asante Samuel II and Janarius Robinson voiced their support on Twitter for Haggins. A couple of players also tweeted out the hashtag #HireOdell.
“The best man for the job already in Tallahassee @FSUFootball,” redshirt junior defensive tackle Cedric Wood tweeted.
Former quarterback Danny Kanell also voiced his support for Haggins on the social-media platform on Saturday saying: “FSU absolutely needs to give serious consideration to keeping Odell Haggins on as head coach. I hope he gets the opportunity to make his case. #Noles.”
247Sports.com’s Josh Newberg reported early Wednesday that Haggins is interested in becoming the program’s next head coach.
Haggins, who is in his 26th season as an assistant at FSU, did not show interest in leading the program when Jimbo Fisher resigned before the end of the 2017 season to take the Texas A&M job.
Haggins was named the interim coach following Fisher’s resignation and led FSU to wins over LouisianaMonroe and Southern Mississippi in the Independence Bowl.
He was named the interim again when Willie Taggart was fired on Nov. 3. The Seminoles are coming off a 38-31 win over Boston College last Saturday, pushing Haggins’ record to 3-0 as an interim coach.
Athletics director David Coburn said he would ideally like to have a new coach in place before the season ends.
Haggins said he received numerous text messages and voicemails following the win at Boston College.
“I appreciate the support, but it’s very encouraging text messages and also messages,” he said during a press conference on Monday. “And my voicemail is filled up. Once I clear it out, it fills right back up. So, therefore, it’s a lot of encouraging things going on, a lot of support, supporting the kids.”
Blackman prepares: Quarterback James Blackman is coming off arguably his best game with the Seminoles.
During the win over Boston College, Blackman was efficient in throwing for 346 yards and two touchdowns.
His best throw came on a 74-yard touchdown to wide receiver Tamorrion Terry. With the Eagles coming with a four-man rush plus a blitzing linebacker, Blackman stepped up into the pocket and threw a dime into Terry’s hands in stride. Terry raced into the end zone, cutting Boston College’s lead to 14-10 in the second quarter.
What made the throw even more impressive was Blackman was getting hit by another linebacker up high near his throwing arm.
The success Blackman had in the game started during the week of practice leading up to the contest. Haggins told his team to attack the Eagles on every play.
“The message all week to this football team was to attack our opponent in all three phases, that’s what coach [Kendal] Briles did with James Blackman; we attacked,” Haggins said. “So he had great preparation.”
Haggins focuses on family: Haggins decided to do something different after Sunday’s practice.
He sensed the team needed to be together after playing its first game since Taggart’s dismissal. Haggins told his assistant coaches that once the team got back from Boston College that they needed to grade the film and correct the mistakes.
On Sunday, he told his assistants to take their respective position players out to dinner after the conclusion of practice to enjoy each other’s company and not to worry about football for a few hours.
It seemed to work. “Everybody jumped into it Monday, practice, administration, everybody just worked together,” he said, “So, therefore, me as a coach, I, as the head coach, I thought we needed that. And that’s very important. I’m big on family, being with your family.”