Florida State fires Willie Taggart

The Willie Taggart era in Tallahassee lasted less than two years.

Florida State announced that the school fired the embattled head football coach Sunday, one day after the Seminoles lost 27-10 to Miami at Doak Campbell Stadium.

“I spoke to Coach Taggart this afternoon to let him know of our decision,” said Florida State athletic director David Coburn in a statement released by the university. “I met with the team and coaches immediately after that conversation to let them know of the change. It was very important to us that the student-athletes know right away.”

Odell Haggins has been designated as interim coach for the remainder of the season. Haggins, a former FSU lineman, served in that role two years ago after the departure of Jimbo Fisher.

Florida State made the expensive decision — Taggart’s contract buyout is estimated at $17 million — with the Seminoles mired in fifth place in the ACC Atlantic, ahead of only N.C. State and Syracuse.

Taggart, who arrived from Oregon after the 2017 season, ends his tenure in Tallahassee with a career record of 9-12. His winning percentage of .429 is the lowest for the Seminoles since Darrell Mudra, who went 4-18 in 1974 and 1975.

Florida State also narrowly avoided embarrassing home losses to Samford in 2018 (trailing in the fourth quarter before scoring two touchdowns in the last 4:03 to escape 36-26) and Louisiana-Monroe in September (winning 45-44 in overtime on a missed extra point).

This year, FSU again opened its season in disappointment, blowing an 18-point lead and losing 36-31 at Doak Campbell Stadium against Boise State in a game that had been quickly relocated from Jacksonville in advance of Hurricane Dorian.

The Seminoles rank 126th of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams with 8.9 penalties per game.

“I think very highly of Coach Taggart and wish him well, but in the interest of the university we had no choice but to make a change,” said FSU President John Thrasher. “We will support our student-athletes in every way and do all we can to return to the winning tradition that is Seminole football.”

Florida State stands at 4-5 after Saturday’s loss. The Seminoles must still play 5-4 Boston College, Alabama State and rival Florida and need two victories to avoid missing a bowl game for a second consecutive season.

The school announced plans to launch a national search to determine Taggart’s permanent successor as Florida State — now far removed from the stability of Bobby Bowden’s 34-year tenure — seek their third head coach in less than two years.