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Florida State Football: Walt Bell a home-run hire for Seminoles

By Shannon Sickmon

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Nyqwan Murray #8 and Da'Vante Phillips #5 of the Florida State Seminoles react after an FSU touchdown during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Nyqwan Murray #8 and Da'Vante Phillips #5 of the Florida State Seminoles react after an FSU touchdown during the first half of the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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If the hire of Maryland’s Walt Bell goes through, it would be a recruiting coup for Florida State football.

After Jimbo Fisher’s defection to the SEC, new Florida State head coach Willie Taggart has cleaned house and re-staffed at several key positions. According to a source at the university, Taggart will most likely add Maryland offensive coordinator, Walt Bell, to an already loaded coaching staff.

Bell has an up-tempo, spread offense attack and is known for being hands-on with his players. Bell is a creative play-caller, maintains a fast pace and uses lots of bubble screens and jet sweeps. At 33, Bell is one of the nation’s youngest offensive coordinators. His approach to the offense is architectural, and his style may be the boost that the Seminole offense needs.

In his time at Maryland, Bell’s offense earned 173 points in the first four game of 2016, which is a program record. The Terps improved in every offensive category under Bell. The rushing offense in particular amassed stellar numbers — they racked up 2,594 yards. Maryland has only passed 2,500 yards in a season a handful of times. In his first year as OC at Arkansas State, Bell’s players broke five school records. He shone at North Carolina and at Oklahoma State. In short, his resume has been extraordinary.

While the move is a coup for Florida State, it is also a boon for Bell. He will get a healthy pay raise if he joins the staff in Tallahassee. In addition, Bell will have a chance to build his resume coaching a perennial power program like the Seminoles (before the peanut gallery chimes in with snark about this past season, trust me — 2017 was an anomaly).

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Taggart’s new hire will ensure that 2018 will be a great year for the ‘Noles. A very warm welcome to Bell.

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