I'm extremely disappointed that he won't even coach in the bowl game for WKU. But I don't hold him leaving against him at all. Think it's a great opportunity.

As stoked as I am, I hold no illusions that Taggart will stick around should he have the success we Bulls fans hope he has. What makes the situation worse is that Woolard pulled the trigger too soon on an extension for Holtz and it backfired on him. He may not pony up when he needs to, now.

 

However, I'll burn that bridge when I come to it. For now Welcome Coach Taggart ..... Go Bulls!!!!

Dick Vitale ‏@DickieV

Spoke to new coach at USF &RISING STAR =WILLIE TAGGART-super hire Feel bad 4 MAC schools & places like Cincy & WKU- tough to keep coaches

USF press conference at 4 pm est.

Hate to lose him right when he had WKU on the upswing but certainly can't blame him and wish him the best of luck.

Joey Johnston ‏@JJohnstonTBO

WKU AD Todd Stewart on Willie Taggart: "South Florida made a great hire."

 

Joey Johnston ‏@JJohnstonTBO

Willie Taggart told WKU AD it wasm't about money. Intrigued by #USF, coming home. WKU was prepared to rework his contract.

 

Bill McGillis ‏@USFinsiderBillM

Students and fans welcome to attend this afternoon's @USFFootball press conference introducing new head coach Willie Taggart. LRS Center 4PM

You can see where they are going with this hire ...

 

Patrick Burnham ‏@Burnhamball

Would like 2 invite the local high school coaches to our 4pm press conference in the Big East Room to introduce Coach Taggert, #usf #gobulls

Mrs. S and I went to the press conference. Coach T lools good in green and gold.

 

Turns out Tony Dungy was involved in all of the interviews. Taggart was his recommendation.

Pics when I get home later.

The pictures make it worse as a WKU fan.

The pictures make it worse as a WKU fan.

 

Sorry, don't want to offend ... deleted them.

Sorry, don't want to offend ... deleted them.

 

Haha its okay. It's a great opportunity for Willie.

Haha its okay. It's a great opportunity for Willie.

 

That's OK, I'll just post links. Those that wish to view can. Let me know if the links are dead.

 

My vantage point in the press conference, explains reason for some bad shots.

 

Coach T speaking at his introduction 1.

 

Coach T and a little member of Bulls Nation.

 

Coach T (or at least his hat) with Plant High Head Coach Robert Weiner

 

Coach T interviewed by the flagship of USF 98.7 The Fan.

 

Coach T with Mrs. S

Swamp thanks for the pics. Big fan of Willie, have gotten the pleasure of knowing him and his is a wonderful man. I am excited for Willie T and the Bulls.

Swamp thanks for the pics. Big fan of Willie, have gotten the pleasure of knowing him and his is a wonderful man. I am excited for Willie T and the Bulls.

 

Yesterday was my first time meeting Coach T. He has a dynamic personality, to say the least. He seemed extremely excited to be here. His parents and siblings were all in attendance.

 

Hear are a few things he said that stood out, and WKU people have probably heard some of them already.

 

• "I consider recruiting to be like combing your hair and brushing your teeth. If you don't do it enough, you look bad."
   
  
• "It's a sprint, not a marathon."
   
  
• "I used to have to drive hours to see my parents, so I only got to see them once or twice a year. Now, I can see them anytime I want."
  

 

Though old hat for GT, Jim Schue and others on here, this was my first press conference so I was fascinated by what was going on around me.

 

• The majority of the team was outside of the conference room, some got inside, and I talked to a couple of players, afterward. They seemed excited, but Quinterrius Eatmon was more concerned about me standing between him and the chicken wings .
   
  
• It was odd seeing Holtz's old staff there, though they were cordial and smiling. I saw several conversing with Coach T before leaving.
   
  
• I got the one pic of Plant High Coach Weiner and Willie, but I swear almost every high school coach in the area was there. Even Earl Garcia, Hillsborough High Head Coach and elder statesman of Bay Area coaches, was there.
   
  
• Gary Shelton, of the Tampa Bay Times, makes me look thin and young.
   
  
• One of the $$$ boosters wives, who Mrs. S and I were standing next to, commented, "I'm not sure how he will do, but he is an extremely handsome young man, isn't he?" Mrs. S immediately agreed. I felt small and insignificant, though the way the old lady said what she did made me feel kind of creepy, too.
   
  
• I love USF President Judy Genshaft, but she really needs to back away from the cosmetic treatments for a while. Her face is in a perpetual smile, now. She's starting to look like the Joker.
  

 

I do not know who all was interviewed for the position, but it is evident that many were, and Tony Dungy was in on every interview. AD Doug Woolard was profuse in his accolades for Dungy. Tony could not make the presser, as he was on the way to New York to prep for Sunday Night Football, but I guess he was available for a phone conference with the press after the live conference.

 

We did not get someone of the stature of a Tommy Tubberville, but I think we did OK.

 

From what I understand, Coach T is on the road visiting current commits, today.