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Willie Taggart fired after three seasons at Florida Atlantic

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•11/26/22
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Florida Atlantic coach Willie Taggart looks up before a game on Sept. 11, 2021. (Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)

Former Florida State coach Willie Taggart has been fired at Florida Atlantic, the program announced Saturday evening.

Taggart is out following a 32-31 overtime loss to Western Kentucky on Saturday that kept the Owls from becoming bowl eligible for the second straight season under Taggart’s watch.

Taggart finishes his FAU stint with a 15-18 record, including an 11-12 mark in Conference USA play.

“This evening, we made a change in leadership with the Florida Atlantic University football program. It was a difficult decision, as we have tremendous respect for Willie Taggart,” FAU vice president and director of athletics Brian White said in a press release.

“He has represented FAU with class and character. However, the lack of on-field success needed to be addressed as we look toward the future. A national search will begin immediately to identify and recruit the best coach to lead FAU Football as we begin play in the American Athletic Conference next season. With the integrity of the search in mind, we will have no further public comment until the announcement of the Owls’ next head football coach.”

Willie Taggart fired by Florida Atlantic

Taggart took over at Florida Atlantic following Lane Kiffin‘s highly successful stint in Boca Raton, Fla., when Kiffin left for Ole Miss following the 2019 season. Kiffin won two CUSA titles while at FAU, with his squads twice reaching the 11-win mark (2017 and 2019).

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Taggart had previously been fired by the Seminoles after a tumultuous two-year stint from 2017-18. He went 9-12 with the Seminoles, while compiling a 6-9 record in ACC play.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have Coach Taggart on board to lead our football program,” White said in a press release at the time of Taggart’s hiring.

“Coach Taggart is a proven program builder who will develop strong relationships with our student-athletes and develop them as future leaders. His deep relationships around the state of Florida and the nation will be vital in recruiting as well. The traits he brings to the table will allow us to continue building upon our recent success.”

With Willie Taggart fired there are currently seven FBS-level coaching jobs that are open.