OnTheBus

So the verdict is, no, coaches don't jump directly from C-USA to AAC. Because why the hell would they? It's essentially a lateral jump. If you've built a program in the C-USA to the point you are ready to level up, you're not going to look to spend another three years in a different G5 conference. Kiffin is/was never coming here this cycle.

And Tubberville made a similar step down. But I'm looking for a coach that was successful enough in the C-USA to look for a jump to a different G5 school. And I can wait all day.

Someone name me the last C-USA head coach that decided to make the incredible leap into The American. I'll wait...

Seeing it now, yeah QF is very flat. Indeed. I hadn't seen the video yet when I responded that it could be a positive comment if delivered a certain way.

With a smile and a smirk

It's all about the delivery. Wish there was video.

Yeah I don't think people remember how much pressure was building to that Homecoming game vs Syracuse, 2015. Season started 1-3, Taggart was 5-21. Frustration was mounting. There was a lot of speculation about his future should he lose that Homecoming game and start the season 1-4. Of course, he would go on a 17-4 run starting with this game. This game, where for the first time QF truly took over and balled out. From there, the offense broke free and never looked back. The most significant single game in Taggart's tenure, dare I say.

How dare Brett not refer to us as S. Florida The nerve of some people...

So just to be clear, if he were to make a financial commitment to the future of our program, that wouldn't sway your opinion one bit?

If he makes some kind of credible financial investment in our program that juicy FSU buyout, would that change your mind?

This is as good a time as any to remind people that before Corey decided to defend Strong at all costs this season, he was calling for Strong's head like many of us at the end of last season. Can someone tell me how you spell hypocrite? Oh wait... "This team is composed of undersized QUITTERS!!! They are a reflection of the attitude of a complete inept staff. Strong needs to retire and not let this program go further in the hole. New ad fire this bum and all his men. These players don't have internal motivation and will never be winners on the field."

Remember when everyone thought we were getting Strong on the cheap because he was riding the Texas buyout? Good times...

Taggart was the right coach at the right time for us. A hungry, ace recruiter, from a heralded coaching tree (Harbaugh), coming off a a resoundingly successful rebuild at WKU, with nowhere to go but up. That was exactly what we needed at the time. It's what we need now. Problem is, Taggart no longer fits that description. Now, he's damaged goods. There's a point to be made that FSU went from consistently having the 3rd or 4th best recruiting class in Jimbo's final years, to falling outside the top-10 with Willie. Cristobal is putting together better classes at Oregon than Willie did (and never forget, Willie went after players he was recruiting for US). I was on the bus with Willie. Just look at my username. But Tags has been exposed. Regardless of what he's done for us before, he's not what we need right now. We DO NOT need a coach who's current reputation is of someone who jumps ship at the first opportunity, can't make proper in-game adjustments, and just got fired from a different team in the same state.

I am 85% certain that KB is regretting taking this job in the first place.

I'm not saying anyone in particular *coughLarryScottcough* would stick around long term. Least of all Willie T, as the user I was replying to suggested.

Willie would have won more games in his first couple seasons if he (1) didn't hire Chuck Bresnahan to run the defense (2) didn't try to implement an overly-complicated Stanford offense that doesn't fit the strengths of Florida talent. Willie's offense wasn't unstoppable because of his schemes, it was a handful of NFL-talent homerun playmakers. Willie never won a bowl game anywhere. Not just at USF. Four schools. 0 bowl wins. You can say that it's because he's left each team for a new team before a potential bowl victory (as if that's something you'd want to flaunt), but the fact remains that he has 0 bowl wins on his resume for his career. You think he'd stick around this time? What do you base that on, other than your feelings? Willie continually took over losing programs and bailed before they could establish enough consistent winning to let him exit with a wining record (Oregon aside). You think Oregon would be doing better if Willie stuck around? Mario Cristobal is a better coach than Willie Taggart. Cristobal has 2 more bowl victories and 3 more bowl appearances than Willie. Their career W/L ratios are almost identical. Oregon is better off right now.

Skip Holtz: 3 seasons, 16-21, defeated Miami, Clemson, Notre Dame, went 4-16 in his final 20 games Charlie Strong, 3 seasons, 21-16, 10 win season that ended ranked #21, 4-14 in his final 18 games (assuming loss next week, and assuming he's gone after) Both came here having won conference championships, welcomed with lavish pressers, touted as the coach who would bring us a championship of our own. Both had a great first season, followed by similar downward trajectories, quite possibly at the worst possible moments (height of conference realignment, and vanishing behind Mickey Mouse college). Which was more enjoyable/disappointing/sickening to you?

Thank you. Willie T is damaged goods. We hired Charlie Strong as a once promising coach known for recruiting, built a team from the ground up, went to a AAA destination gig, failed, and needed a new gig. It would be the same story with Willie T, except he managed to get kicked off campus quicker. Do we really want to play that game back-to-back? I'm very grateful for what Willie accomplished while he was here, but he wasn't perfect. His flaws (mostly in-game management & adjustments) have become more notable in his higher profile gigs. We need to be looking forward, not backward. Lets not take someone else's sloppy seconds. We need to follow the rising star OC model.

Willie Taggart had a losing record (24-25) at USF. Willie Taggart never won a bowl game for USF. Willie Taggart made the choice to leave us for one year of Oregon. Willie Taggart has a losing record (16-17) across two other HC gigs since leaving USF.

Since leaving, Willie T has gone through two HC gigs in a three year span. He's still never actually won a bowl game in his 10 years as a HC. When Willie T came here, he was riding high on potential. Now, all he's left with is a bruised reputation.

Willie T's first full recruiting class here (2014) was loaded. Perhaps our greatest recruiting year ever. QF, Mack and several other great contributors in there. Willie T's following two full recruiting classes were not nearly as good. Willie T's success came down to a couple offensive studs. Much like how Teddy Bridgewater made it for Charlie at Louisville. We need someone who can build a complete roster, and properly manage 60 minutes on the field.

Willie Taggart was perhaps one game away from getting fired here. Home vs Syracuse, 2015. Homecoming game. His record was 7-19. The pitchforks were coming out. With nothing to lose, Willie turns Quinton Flowers loose. The Bulls win in an upset, and finish the season on a 7-2 run. QF, Marlon Mack, and several other gamers saved Willie's ass.

You know what matters more than $? Happiness. Charlie hasn't looked happy to me for a few weeks. He's 59 with consecutive seasons of declining results in the G5. There are no better coaching opportunities for him in the future. All Charlie is coaching for at this point is $ and himself. And I'm not convinced he's getting the personal gratification at this point. There's plenty of $ to be earned in the media. Charlie will find a very nice second career on television.

I've been saying for the past several weeks I expect him to retire a la Mark Richt.

This brings back memories of Skip's last game. Home vs Pitt. Of course, we all knew Skip was going to be fired the next day at this point. I had spoken to someone with the program who noted that DC Chris Cosh had already cleaned out his office before the game. Highlight of the game was me, and four of my drunken friends in the student section turning Raymond James' playing of "Don't Stop Believing", and replacing every single line of the chorus with "Fire Skip Holtz".