The Oregon Ducks found their new head football coach on Wednesday, as they hired South Florida's Willie Taggart. The school announced the move on Thursday morning with a press conference. Taggart replaces Mark Helfrich, who was fired at season's end after going 4-8 overall, including 2-7 in Pac-12 play.
Reports say Taggart, along with Mississippi State's Dan Mullen were the two finalists to land the job. The 40-year-old had been at USF for the past four seasons, increasing his win total every year he was there. He went from a two-win season his first year, to four, and then eight before going 10-2 this past season.
The coach also has experience as an assistant with Stanford from 2007 to 2009. He would then go on to coach Western Kentucky from 2010 to 2012 before moving on to USF.
South Florida named co-offensive coordinator, T.J. Weist, as the interim head coach who will lead the team in the Birmingham Bowl. The school then went on to hire former Louisville and Texas head man, Charlie Strong, to the position on Sunday morning. He will be in attendance for the team's bowl game.
Stanford coach, David Shaw, worked closely with Taggart during his time with the school. Shaw called the hire a "big move for Oregon" as he will now oppose his former assistant in the Pac-12 for years to come.
Reports say Taggart, along with Mississippi State's Dan Mullen were the two finalists to land the job. The 40-year-old had been at USF for the past four seasons, increasing his win total every year he was there. He went from a two-win season his first year, to four, and then eight before going 10-2 this past season.
The coach also has experience as an assistant with Stanford from 2007 to 2009. He would then go on to coach Western Kentucky from 2010 to 2012 before moving on to USF.
South Florida named co-offensive coordinator, T.J. Weist, as the interim head coach who will lead the team in the Birmingham Bowl. The school then went on to hire former Louisville and Texas head man, Charlie Strong, to the position on Sunday morning. He will be in attendance for the team's bowl game.
Stanford coach, David Shaw, worked closely with Taggart during his time with the school. Shaw called the hire a "big move for Oregon" as he will now oppose his former assistant in the Pac-12 for years to come.
