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This morning on FSU board... Part of lengthy article on changes for upcoming season
Based on what I’m hearing, his upcoming discussion with defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett is one to keep an eye on. There have been some reasons to believe Barnett’s scheme and philosophy don’t match with what Taggart wants to do. Although recently Barnett has shown the ability to adapt and change. He moved from he sidelines to the press box for the last two weeks and his defense was noticeably simpler this past weekend against Boston College, which resulted in FSU’s first win in four weeks.
I’m not expecting Barnett to leave at this point, he is the highest paid assistant coach on the staff at $980,000 per year. He signed a two-year contract when he arrived at FSU and would be owed nearly $2 million if he was fired. But if there is a scenario where Barnett does not return to FSU next year, there’s a good chance defensive ends coach Mark Snyder could be gone as well. Snyder coached with Barnett the last three seasons at Michigan State and was Barnett’s one hire, given to him by Taggart. As I said, the upcoming discussion with Barnett and Taggart is worth keeping an eye on.
— I’ve spoken with several sources within the FSU program and throughout coaching circles that believe FSU will go in another direction at special teams. Alonzo Hampton’s unit has underperformed all season, and he’s the most likely to go if/when there are changes made after the season.
— The possibility of a coach or two being reassigned to an off-field job is also something I’m hearing. Wide receiver coach David Kelly has been Taggart’s off field recruiting coordinator for the past three years, two at USF and one at Oregon. He was given an on-field job this season, but there’s talk that he’d be more valuable to the program if he was in charge of FSU’s recruiting strategy and building the culture in a full-time role.
Will be something to watch - it says nothing will happen until after early signing day.....
Based on what I’m hearing, his upcoming discussion with defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett is one to keep an eye on. There have been some reasons to believe Barnett’s scheme and philosophy don’t match with what Taggart wants to do. Although recently Barnett has shown the ability to adapt and change. He moved from he sidelines to the press box for the last two weeks and his defense was noticeably simpler this past weekend against Boston College, which resulted in FSU’s first win in four weeks.
I’m not expecting Barnett to leave at this point, he is the highest paid assistant coach on the staff at $980,000 per year. He signed a two-year contract when he arrived at FSU and would be owed nearly $2 million if he was fired. But if there is a scenario where Barnett does not return to FSU next year, there’s a good chance defensive ends coach Mark Snyder could be gone as well. Snyder coached with Barnett the last three seasons at Michigan State and was Barnett’s one hire, given to him by Taggart. As I said, the upcoming discussion with Barnett and Taggart is worth keeping an eye on.
— I’ve spoken with several sources within the FSU program and throughout coaching circles that believe FSU will go in another direction at special teams. Alonzo Hampton’s unit has underperformed all season, and he’s the most likely to go if/when there are changes made after the season.
— The possibility of a coach or two being reassigned to an off-field job is also something I’m hearing. Wide receiver coach David Kelly has been Taggart’s off field recruiting coordinator for the past three years, two at USF and one at Oregon. He was given an on-field job this season, but there’s talk that he’d be more valuable to the program if he was in charge of FSU’s recruiting strategy and building the culture in a full-time role.
Will be something to watch - it says nothing will happen until after early signing day.....
