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FSU Football: Willie Taggart finding quality assistant coaches for Noles

By Jason Parker

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 30: A Florida State Seminoles cheerleader runs a flag on the field before a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 30: A Florida State Seminoles cheerleader runs a flag on the field before a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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FSU football will have an almost completely new coaching staff for the upcoming season – and it looks like a group that could be among the nation’s best.

With the clock getting closer to the next National Signing Day and spring practice for FSU football, new head coach Willie Taggart found himself needing to fill out his staff for the 2018 season. So far, with six of the 10 positions on the staff filled, there is a lot to be smiling about if you are the Seminoles heading into the upcoming season.

So far, Taggart has mostly hired a group of people that have either worked with him at one of his previous stops – Western Kentucky, South Florida or Oregon, where he left after turning the programs around – or players that have ties to the Florida State program through playing and coaching the Noles.

  • The biggest name in position was the recent move to hire Harlon Barnett as the defensive coordinator on Friday, pulling him away from his alma mater (Michigan State) where he spent three years turning around the Spartans defense that was ranked fourth last season in the S&P+ rankings.
  • Another move this week was bringing in offensive line coach Greg Frey, hiring the former Seminoles offensive lineman and Clearwater native away from his position as coach and run game coordinator for the Wolverines following stints at other locations, including Indiana.
  • Raymond Woodie, Telly Lockette and Donte’ Pimperton are all men who worked with Taggart at several stops along the way – with the first two being Sunshine State natives that will dominate recruiting for FSU football.
  • Of course, the biggest hire may be the one person returning from last season as Odell Haggins, a former All-American for the Seminoles who spent nearly a quarter century as an assistant before being named interim coach, is coming back to lead the defensive line.

With four spots left to fill, two names that have been mentioned include Alonzo Hampton – who coached defensive backs for USF before becoming a defensive analyst for the Ducks last year – as well as former Noles star Ron Dugans, who could leave the rival Miami Hurricanes as receivers coach to lead the Seminoles’ past catchers.

Next: Why Deondre Francois Should Be Starting QB in 2018

FSU football is going to be one of the more desirable jobs in the country – especially with more money now being available for assistants – and Taggart is going to make sure the best of the best lead the garnet and gold for the foreseeable future.

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