Willie Taggart

#53
#53
VolsDeep said:
I feel like this guy has so much upside it's ridiculous... I realize that UT fans might be leery hiring a coach that isn't more "proven," but this guy isn't unproven in the same sense as Dooley. It was a stretch to consider Dooley's time at LA Tech a success, whereas to think that WKU, a team that was AWFUL just a few years ago, is now 12-2 in its last 14 games is very impressive.

On top of that, we wouldn't have to pay Gruden money to get him.. At the end of the day, it's a gamble no matter who we pick. TN is a unique place in the sense that we have super high expectations but don't have the same number of "gimme" recruits that other schools do.

What is everyone's thoughts on the guy?
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WKU has beaten Kentucky within the last year..thats a big positive..
 
#54
#54
VolsDeep said:
I'm just not convinced that Gruden at $5mil is going to be a better Head Coach than Willie at $2-$3mil.... Obviously, I can understand why we would go with Gruden over Willie, I just feel like this guy has a lot of potential... Although it's also possible that he is Turner Gil 2.0
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I sort of doubt that. Gruden has several years of NFL experience, is known for his offenses, and has the type of personality and name recognition that would instantly attract top 5 classes. It's difficult to know how much success Gruden could have here, but we know he was a better NFL coach than Saban, and I would be surprised if we weren't consistently in the top 2 in the SEC East if Gruden were here.

I definitely think Taggart should be on our list if we make a change. But I'd see him as falling below Gruden, some NFL guys, and maybe a few more proven college coaches (like Mullen). But of the "up and comers", I do like Taggart the best.

I think Taggart would be a reasonably good hire, but he might be difficult to sell after Dooley. It's true that Taggart has proven himself at WKU in a way that Dooley never did, but it's also true that Taggart has never experienced anything like coaching at Tennessee before. He's not coaching against Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier at WKU. Even his experience at Stanford, where there's much less pressure and lower expectations, might not have been that helpful for gauging how he'd do at Tennessee.

There will definitely be a learning curve for Taggart, even if he is a good coach. That would be my biggest worry. I don't think he comes here at we're immediately 10-2. I think he probably struggles a couple of years before finding his footing. And my question is, are Tennessee fans willing to wait for that after the Dooley experiment?

If we were to take a risk on someone, I think Taggart's the best guy to go with. But a proven commodity like Gruden is always going to be higher on the list.
 
#56
#56
Hiring Willie Taggart will get Hart fired...He HAS to make a grand slam hire or its his butt on the line....No assistant coaches or new head coaches...No more experiments...He needs a head coach that will energize the fanbase...Taggart is not that guy....Most people would not even know who the heck he is.
 
#57
#57
DiderotsGhost said:
I sort of doubt that. Gruden has several years of NFL experience, is known for his offenses, and has the type of personality and name recognition that would instantly attract top 5 classes. It's difficult to know how much success Gruden could have here, but we know he was a better NFL coach than Saban, and I would be surprised if we weren't consistently in the top 2 in the SEC East if Gruden were here.

I definitely think Taggart should be on our list if we make a change. But I'd see him as falling below Gruden, some NFL guys, and maybe a few more proven college coaches (like Mullen). But of the "up and comers", I do like Taggart the best.

I think Taggart would be a reasonably good hire, but he might be difficult to sell after Dooley. It's true that Taggart has proven himself at WKU in a way that Dooley never did, but it's also true that Taggart has never experienced anything like coaching at Tennessee before. He's not coaching against Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier at WKU. Even his experience at Stanford, where there's much less pressure and lower expectations, might not have been that helpful for gauging how he'd do at Tennessee.

There will definitely be a learning curve for Taggart, even if he is a good coach. That would be my biggest worry. I don't think he comes here at we're immediately 10-2. I think he probably struggles a couple of years before finding his footing. And my question is, are Tennessee fans willing to wait for that after the Dooley experiment?

If we were to take a risk on someone, I think Taggart's the best guy to go with. But a proven commodity like Gruden is always going to be higher on the list.
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All very good points. Hard to disagree with you. Also, kudos on the unique volnation name. :hi:
 
#59
#59
VolsDeep said:
You are assuming that hiring Gruden doesn't bring with it its own risk. Anytime you hire a new coach, you are taking a "chance." Ask Nebraska and Pittsburgh if hiring a known NFL coach is a sure-fire thing.

Like I said, Gruden would probably get the nod over Willie for the reasons you mentioned, but that doesn't mean it is the best hire. Gruden brings a level of flare that might last a year or two, but after that you have to perform....and I don't think Willie would be inferior to Gruden on the recruiting trail.
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I think the difference between Gruden and Weis/Wansted is that they werent plastered all over ESPN like Gruden is.

And, if memory serves, weis was OC for Belichick when they were cheating, so you have to wonder just how good of a coach he really he is.
 
#60
#60
I did some reading up on Taggart. Apparently he tries to instill a toughness in his players similar to what Jim Harbaugh did in Stanford and is doing with the 49ers. Jim Harbaugh is the only coach I've ever seen who could literally win games through sheer willpower and determination. If Taggart could do that at Tennessee, I'd be a happy fellow.
 
#61
#61
EastTN28 said:
I agree with OP. Gruden, Cowher, Stoops, Carroll, Petersen...are just not realistic. Of course we should reach out & try to get Gruden, but it ain't happening. The more realistic options are going to be guys like Willie Taggart, Kirby Smart & Sonny Dykes. Charlie Strong is realistic, but is still not guaranteed.
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Strong couldn't sign the papers fast enough if we offered.
 
#62
#62
LittleDTO said:
Strong couldn't sign the papers fast enough if we offered.
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Would look pretty bad on his part after the Jim Rome interview about 3 weeks ago where he stated he would coach for less money at L'ville. He said he would stay there as long as they will have him. Gave him his first job. Said he would not leave for any other job.
 
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#63
#63
I think Taggart is a very realistic option to be the next head coach at the University of Tennessee.
 
#64
#64
He's on the list...but if he's even sniffing the top 5, I disapprove.
 
#65
#65
Of all the names I have seen thrown out there, this guy is our most likely hire, IMO.

Why? Because I didn't know he even existed until 3 hours ago. That's the kind of coaches we hire here.
 
#66
#66
Taggart is not a realistic option at this point IMHO.

He is seemingly having trouble keeping WKU motivated to win at the moment. The toppers are falling apart and no one has an answer ... See loss to FAU on saturday.

:hi:
 
#67
#67
HilltopperVol89 said:
Taggart is not a realistic option at this point IMHO.

He is seemingly having trouble keeping WKU motivated to win at the moment. The toppers are falling apart and no one has an answer ... See loss to FAU on saturday.

:hi:
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Been downhill since blowing the Monroe game. Losing a 28-7 lead with that crowd and "atmosphere" on HC sucked. That's the most rocking that stadiums been in the 5 years I've lived here. Chose to stay home yesterday and watch the UT game instead, and was happy with the decision early on, but games turned out to be disasters. The one positive about the WKU loss is Willie wont be going anywhere this year, but as sorry as Jakes as been at times losing him could hurt next year. Never thought I'd say that.
 
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#70
#70
Willie is a good coach imo but it's way to early in his career to get any big-time offers. I don't follow WKU closely but it seems Willie is one of the best up and coming young coaches, it's a shame the timeline doesn't work-out for it but we just can't pull the trigger on a guy like him right now.
 
#71
#71
bowlinggreenvol said:
Been downhill since blowing the Monroe game. Losing a 28-7 lead with that crowd and "atmosphere" on HC sucked. That's the most rocking that stadiums been in the 5 years I've lived here. Chose to stay home yesterday and watch the UT game instead, and was happy with the decision early on, but games turned out to be disasters. The one positive about the WKU loss is Willie wont be going anywhere this year, but as sorry as Jakes as been at times losing him could hurt next year. Never thought I'd say that.
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I stayed at home as well. The stadium was absolutely electric when they blew it against Monroe. It has gone downhill since that second half. I was there for the MTSU game. They couldnt get out of their own way to make a play.

Jakes has progressed, but I am excited about Mauro and DaMarcus Smith.

Taggart will leave WKU, but it wont be this year.
 
#72
#72
He's not as much of a project as Dools is/was, but nevertheless he's still a project. He's had one great year, even though it has been great considering WKU was very recently the garbage heap of the Sun Belt.
The problem is he does nothing for immediate recruiting like Patterson, Petrino, etc. would. We need somebody who can get the hosses in here instead of settling for 2-star players from Athens Academy, etc.
 
#73
#73
volatil said:
Would look pretty bad on his part after the Jim Rome interview about 3 weeks ago where he stated he would coach for less money at L'ville. He said he would stay there as long as they will have him. Gave him his first job. Said he would not leave for any other job.
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Yeah, well...the philosophy in today's world is to protect your backside but leave a crack in the door just in case. It's political bro. Tell the fans what they want to hear, not what they ought to hear.

I was sitting with a bunch of buddies the night Tennessee won the NC against FSU. Before the game, we were talking about business and I told two of friends,"I don't lie, cheat or steal. I build my business on integrity and I expects employees to follow along. That's how my parents raised me."

Their response, while laughing: "you're never going to get anywhere in life."

I'll NEVER forget that deflating moment, but it's the society we live in and human nature to be greedy.

FTR: I own a successful bar and a television production company! And I'm still as honest as the day is long!!
 
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