USF Coach Willie Taggart Snagged by Oregon: Reports

TAMPA, FL — Fresh off the University of South Florida’s return to national rankings for the first time since 2011, Bulls head coach Willie Taggart appears poised to leave the program he’s grown over the past four seasons.

Taggart has reportedly accepted a position with the University of Oregon to replace Mark Helfrich. Under the now-ousted Helfrich's leadership, the Oregon Ducks finished the season 4-8 overall. Meanwhile, Taggart’s Bulls are celebrating a 10-2 season; the best in USF’s history.

Taggart also coached the Bulls to yet another victory in the annual War on I-4 rivalry game against the University of Central Florida Knights in late November. That 48-31 win shot the Bulls into the national rankings with a No. 24 placement on the Associated Press Poll. The victory also put the team in 23rd place on the Amway Coaches Poll.

Taggart’s impending appointment in Oregon has been reported by several media outlets, including ESPN and Fox Sports. No confirmation from the school or Taggart has been issued. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy reportedly spoke on Taggart’s behalf to Oregon officials.

“He has all the elements Oregon is looking for,” Dungy told ESPN. “He’s a bright, young coach and it makes him easy to recommend.”

Before South Florida, Taggart coached at Western Kentucky, where he turned a historically doormat program into a bowl-game contender.

It's unclear how much money Oregon will be paying Taggart, 40, initially, but it's unlikely to be the $10 million Nike CEO Phil Knight was reportedly willing to pony up to land a marquee football coach. Taggart was paid $1.7 million this season by South Florida, according to USA Today's database of coaching salaries.

The USF Bulls are set to play in the Dec. 29 Birmingham Bowl. The Bulls will face South Carolina at Legion Field in the post-season match-up.

Image: Another Believer, used under Creative Commons