***Breaking Stories***
Taggart not a factor - USF and Strong exclusive
This blog didn't make mention of the former USF recruits that Willie Taggart went after as soon as he secured the Oregon contract, but trying to go after the Bulls' favorite replacement for him is a bit hostile. It's almost like running up the score on the last play of a game that was already decided.
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It has been two days since Bulls fans were shocked to learn that head coach, Willie Taggart was headed off to Oregon for the same position there. What followed has been a media storm of speculation as to whom will replace him at USF, as if that’s the bigger story. In some ways it is, considering that Taggart has been talked about as a candidate at playoff conference schools for several years, even taking an interview elsewhere in the past. Because he has been expected by the media to leave, as he is widely considered a rising star, who follows him is the story that involves mystery. And, the names being considered serious candidates are mostly more accomplished than the man to be replaced. Some might argue that the Bulls are trading up.
Looking Back
The media speculation yesterday afternoon got a little over zealous, with numerous outlets all reporting that USF was in negotiations with Charlie Strong. All cite the same story written by Roy Cummings of Florida Football Insiders. Cummings may or may not have “insider” knowledge about the deal, but what he actually wrote and what has been extrapolated are not the same. Cummings wrote, “It is believed that USF has already begun negotiating a contract with Strong…” The most definitive thing he wrote was that someone had a belief that negotiations had started. So far, nobody has reported that there has even been an interview. There’s nothing at all wrong with him speculating, and his Twitter feed indicates a he’s a good news source, but it’s a bit strange to see his speculation being the basis for many other news stories. All of that said, Strong probably is the favorite and USF would be smart to get the deal done before the end of the day today, to allow their new coach to contact recruits prior to the recruiting dead period that begins on Monday.
Looking Forward
The Tampa Bay Times’ Martin Fennelly has a good commentary about the Taggart situation and how it is good for USF. In short, when you’re losing your head coach to an elite program, it says a lot about the program being left behind. It tells future coaches that they won’t get stuck and that the tools and support are there to keep their careers going. Until the Bulls are in a playoff conference, dealing with coaches moving on is something they will have to expect. And, as Fennelly quotes a USF students as saying, USF usually has to fire coaches. Losing coaches to better jobs isn’t something they have had to deal with, much. That’s a sign that things are moving in a more positive direction.
Rivals’ Mike Farrell touches on the two related USF stories in his Three Point Stance segment. He basically suggests that USF is getting a better deal than Oregon is. Bulls’ fans may remember that bowl game out in El Paso and hope he’s right.
