Taggart hired as FAU's new head coach

Willie Taggart is staying in the Sunshine State.

Taggart will become Florida Atlantic's new head coach, he told Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.

The 43-year-old was fired by Florida State toward the end of his second season at the helm.

Taggart will replace Lane Kiffin, who left FAU last week to take the top job with Ole Miss.

The Seminoles signed Taggart to a six-year, $30-million deal after poaching him from Oregon. He went 5-7 in his first season in charge, which meant Florida State failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time in 36 years.

The Seminoles opted to part ways with Taggart in November after a loss to rival Miami pushed them to 4-5.

While the coach's time with Florida State was a disappointment, he was able to rebuild USF from 2013 to 2016, going 2-10 in his first year and 10-2 in his last.

He also led the Ducks to a 7-5 record in 2017 before leaving for Florida State.