Task for Taggart: turning FSU around
TALLAHASSEE — With its streaks of bowl appearances and winning seasons intact, Florida State has officially moved on to the Willie Taggart era.
Taggart was named the program’s 11th head coach on Dec. 6, five days after Jimbo Fisher resigned to go to Texas A&M. Taggart observed practices leading up to the Seminoles’ preparations for the Independence Bowl and was on the sidelines for last week’s 42-13 victory over Southern Mississippi.
With Florida State closing the books on a disappointing 7-6 season, it’s now Taggart’s program.
“I can’t wait to really put my stamp on it and get rolling. But more importantly, I can’t wait to continue to get to know these guys,” Taggart said last week.
“Once we get to know each other and the talent, the things they can do on the football field will take care of itself.”
Since winning 33 of 34 games from 2013-15, including a national championship in 2013, Florida State is 21-12, including 10-10 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Many thought this was going to be the season when Florida State would return to the College Football Playoff.
The Seminoles were ranked third in The Associated Press preseason poll but lost quarterback Deondre Francois in the opener against Alabama, did not play for close to three weeks due to Hurricane Irma, and was 3-6 at one point before winning out.
That allowed the Seminoles to make a 36th consecutive bowl appearance and avoid their first losing season since 1976.
This season marked the first time since 2011 FSU did not won 10 or more games or qualify for one of the New Year’s Six bowl games.
The biggest question leading up to next season’s opener against Virginia Tech will be about quarterback.
Glades Central graduate James Blackman started the final 12 games after Francois was injured.