A $30 million mistake: FSU fires head football coach Willie Taggart

After yesterday’s 27-10 loss to in-state rival University of Miami, Florida State University has fired head football coach Willie Taggart:

Breaking: Florida State announced head coach Willie Taggart's contract has been terminated effective immediately. We will have more coming up on @WMBB at 5:30.

— Courtney Mims, WMBB (@MimsCourtney) November 3, 2019

Longtime FSU assistant coach Odell Haggins has been named interim head coach:

Florida State fires Willie Taggart. Odell Haggins, who is in 26th season on FSU’s coaching staff, will be interim head coach

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 3, 2019

He’ll be paid almost $18 million as part of his contract’s buyout:

Willie Taggart is going to get paid $17.7M by the place that employed him to not show up to work. Any of you calling this man anything other than a hero and an inspiration are wrong.

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) November 3, 2019

Total cost to FSU? Over $30 million:

$2,515,000: What Florida State paid Willie Taggart per game. Total cost, including Oregon & USF buyout, will come to about $30,180,000.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 3, 2019

That’s quite the mistake:

Willie Taggart had a 6yr/$30M contract with FSU and they owe him 85% of the remaining salary. So Taggart will tack home approx $17M on his way out of FSU plus the approx $10M he made already.

Many boosters had to be consulted to cover this bill.

— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) November 3, 2019

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Taggart leaves with a 9-12 record:

.@FSUFootball has fired coach Willie Taggart. 9-12 in his 21 game career with the Noles. @ACCFootball https://t.co/DZ4QQrJE3k

— Jeff Gravley (@jgravleyWRAL) November 3, 2019

And with only one win over a Top 25 team:

Willie Taggart was just 1-7 against AP Top 25 teams in his one-plus seasons at Florida State.

The 7 losses to ranked opponents are tied with Northwestern, South Carolina, Arkansas and Maryland for most among Power 5 schools in that span.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 3, 2019

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