USF to announce the hiring of Taggart
USF's coaching search has reportedly ended, as Western Kentucky's Willie Taggart has accepted an offer to become head coach at USF.
Taggart replaces Skip Holtz, who was fired after three years.
Advertisement
No official announcement has been made, but USF is scheduled to hold a press conference Saturday at 4 p.m. to announce the hiring.
In his third season at Western Kentucky, Taggart, the 36-year-old native of Palmetto, Fla., led the Hilltoppers to a 7-5 record and a spot in the Little Caesars Bowl, the school's first bowl appearance.
Western Kentucky went 0-12 the season before Taggart was hired, but then went 2-10, 7-5, and 7-5 the next three seasons with Taggart at the helm. The Hilltoppers won at Kentucky earlier this season.
Before taking over the Hilltoppers, Taggart coached Stanford's running backs, including Heisman Trophy finalist Toby Gerhart, from 2007-09.
Taggart played quarterback at Western Kentucky and was an assistant there until 2006.
Taggart has connections in the Bay Area, having attended Bradenton Manatee High School and heavily recruited Florida.
Four-star quarterback Asiantii Woulard, a highly touted prospect from Winter Park who decommitted from USF after Holtz was fired, acknowledged the hire on Twitter Friday night.
"Excited to see what Taggert has planned for #USF!" he tweeted.