FSU Football: 3 ways Willie Taggart has already impacted FSU

FSU football has already experienced the Willie Taggart effect.

FSU football is undergoing a metamorphosis before our very eyes. It’s hard to qualify, but it’s really fun to be a fan of this team again.

The weird part is they haven’t played one down for new head coach Willie Taggart, but the fan base is rejuvenated and players already feel his swag.

The best way I can describe FSU football is looking at yourself in the mirror each day. Because you’re so used to what you look like, it’s hard to see the subtle changes as they occur over time.

The wrinkles in places that used to be smooth, Lebron James hair and fat that gradually appeared over time.

That’s what it felt like the last few years under the former FSU football coach. If not for a generational talent like Dalvin Cook, who knows what other flaws would have been uncovered.

However, Wednesday the mirror revealed all those flaws and more when Willie Taggart was named new head football coach at FSU.

Let’s take a look at how Taggart has already impacted the FSU football program in less than a week on the job.

Social Media

A tweet on Twitter, that’s something you NEVER saw from Jimbo Fisher. Not only does Taggart understand the power of social media, he allows his players to use it too.

I understand the players under the former coach implemented a self-induced social media ban, but I wonder how much influence came from above?

It’s another way Taggart can interact with fans, current players and recruits.

Did you see the full court press the current players and recruits put on Justin Fields, the No. 1 overall player in the 2018 class the other night?

I don’t know if FSU will flip Fields who’s committed to Georgia, but it was impressive to see the onslaught.

What about using social media to connect with some of the greatest ‘Noles of all time? Taggart is over 10 years younger than the former coach, so using technology to his advantage is a no-brainer.

Recruiting

The former coach basically shut down FSU recruiting the final month he was here according to multiple reports.

In fact, the 2018 recruiting class lost SEVEN commits in less than a week due to uncertainty with the coaching hire. Their national ranking plummeted 21 spots with just 11 commits currently in the class.

However, the hire of Taggart has given the FSU football program an instant boost on the recruiting trails. He hit the recruiting trail the first night on the job and got FSU commit Amari Gainer to shut down his recruitment after scheduling visits to Texas and Miami.

The hiring of Taggart also got FSU’s highest rated recruit, AJ Lytton to shut down his recruitment too.

Coach Taggart and defensive line coach/interim head coach Odell Haggins visited four-star defensive tackle Robert Cooper to make sure he’s still committed to this class.

Taggart is making the rounds with current FSU commits while targeting other talented players this week. The ‘Noles are in great position to land several big time commitments in the coming weeks.

They’ll close with a top 10 class no question.

Energy and Pride

How many times did you see the former FSU football coach do the tomahawk chop? Did he ever do it?

Did it ever look like he really wanted to be at FSU the past few years?

Watch this:

That’s a guy that’s where he wants to be.  It’s infectious, and the entire fan base seems to have been born again. I’ve had more fun writing about FSU football this week than I have in a long time.

Player Responses On Twitter To Taggart Hire

Taggart has also embraced ideas from the players like alternate uniform combo’s and things like this below.

It’s a lot easier for players to go hard in practice when the environment is inviting and they can relate to things.

Conclusion

All three of these things are super important for the FSU football program moving forward. All of these aspects are intertwined somewhat.

A presence on social media let’s everyone know you’re up with the times and easier to promote the FSU brand.

Obviously recruiting is important and FSU has never had problems getting blue chip players as the former regime had an average finish of No. 4 in the nation the last few years.

It’s quite possible Taggart could improve upon that depending on who he’s able to bring on his coaching staff. However, those moves will not be completed until after FSU’s bowl game since most of the old regime is still under contract.

Most importantly is the energy and passion Taggart has brought to this program. Now, he still has to win games, otherwise all this energy will be for nothing as expectations at FSU are always conference and national championships.

Next: Why Willie Taggart Will Dominate Recruiting In Florida

The good thing is Taggart understands and embraces those expectations. I can’t wait to see what changes he makes on the field that will help modernize this program even more.