He was a teenager there, still finding his way, still learning to be what he would be. He was a college student, a book in one hand and a ball in the other.
He left as a man. A guy who had been a player, an assistant, a head coach, the molder of the program.
And now, Willie Taggart has come full circle. Now, he is the opposition.
Taggart, the head coach at USF, has the world on a string lately. He has a new contract extension, and a hot team filled with underclassmen, and a resurrected football program. He is back in the bowl business, and from the looks of things, he might just make another one next season.
For the first time, however, Taggart has to play against his alma mater, high-powered Western Kentucky. For the first time in his life, Taggert has to want someone to stop the Hilltoppers in Monday’s Miami Beach Bowl.
“I tell everyone, everything about me is WKU,” Taggart said. “WKU is in my DNA. I grew up as a young man and a coach there. I’m very indebted to WKU and really excited and proud on their progress.”
That progress is led by Brandon Doughty, the No. 2 passer in the nation. Taggart’s team counters with quarterback Quinton Flowers and running back Marlon Mack, a duo that have produced the No. 11 running team in the country.
Taggart would rather talk about his duo, or about his defense, or about his offensive line than himself.
“I think it will be like any other game,” Taggart said. “It’s not about me; it’s more about two great universities that have had two outstanding seasons getting the opportunity to come down here to Dade County and play another game here in the Mecca of football.”
Game time is 2:30 p.m. Monday.
