Local reaction: Taggart to USF

Kyle, Great job with both recruit and coach reaction stories!

Appreciate your work

Great job Kyle.

Oh ok. Gotcha. I read it like he knows of a kid that would flip.

Makes sense. Thanks for doing this. Great read.

Great feature Kyle. Appreciate the HS perspective.

From the Tampa Bay Times

Local coaches applaud USF's hiring of Taggart

We caught up with a couple of Tampa Bay's top high school football coaches at Friday night's Robinson vs. Godby game, and they had this to say about USF's hiring of Willie Taggart:

Plant coach Robert Weiner:

"I've known Willie Taggart for a long time and I think that he will really do an incredible job. He is exactly what you think he is: he is a young and energetic coach, who not only brings a lot of passion but he's an intellectual guy, a guy who seems to really have his finger on the pulse of his players.

"I think Willie will do an outstanding job and I think he's a great hire for USF. I think it's a great day for them and I think he's someone who will do a great job for a long time for them.

"I think it will really be a huge boost for them in recruiting, not only in the area, but beyond. I think Willie's reputation ... He's coached at Stanford and Western Kentucky and he's from down here, so you're talking about a guy who's been in some significant parts of the country, including the area he's going to be coaching in now. I really have a lot of respect for him and I think he's going to do an amazing job here."

Armwood coach Sean Callahan:

"I'm happy for him. I have a good feeling about him. I'm a guy that's in his corner.

"Hopefully, he can get into Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee and Pinellas and keep those kids at home. I'm sure that was a focus. Someone who can recruit this area and win with those kids."