Florida State has a new head coach and will have a fresh look in 2018. Here are the five storylines Seminoles fans should follow this spring.
The Florida State Seminoles had to open their coaching search for the first time since 1970. Jimbo Fisher, who succeeded legendary Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden, was a coach-in-waiting for three years before taking over in 2010.
Fisher joined Bowden as a national championship winning coach for the ‘Noles, winning the title in the 2013 season. Fisher left Tallahassee, Fla., for Texas A&M and the FSU administration went after a native Floridian for their head coaching position.
Willie Taggart, who is from Tampa, Fla., left the Oregon Ducks after one season to take over the Florida State program. Taggart inherits a program that finished 2017 with a 7-6 record and a 43rd overall ranking per Bill C’s S&P+ analytics. He took over the Ducks after a 4-8 season and Florida State has more talent and is in a better position for success in recruiting.
Taggart, who listed Florida State as his dream job, will have a huge decision to make this spring. Unlike inheriting Justin Herbert at Oregon, a clearcut starter, Taggart has to choose between two quarterbacks with starting experience, rebuild the FSU defense and install his spread-to-run offense at pro style FSU.
Bill C’s rankings have the ‘Noles pre-season No. 18 and Coach Taggart’s staff has already recruited in the 11th-ranked class from 2018 in short work. The prize recruit of the 2018 class is four-star Jaiden Woodbey, a safety from California.
Here are five storylines Seminoles fans should follow this spring.