TALLAHASSEE, Fla. _ Willie Taggart's first spring as Florida State head football coach is over, and he hopes the Seminoles players and coaches can build on the foundation they established during the first five months of his tenure.
During Thursday's ACC coaches' teleconference, Taggart praised FSU fans for "an unbelievable showing" during the spring game, which drew a school-record 60,934 fans in Doak Campbell Stadium last Saturday.
"It was a really nice environment to be around," Taggart said. "Had a lot of former players back which was pretty cool to see, over 300 former players back on campus. Just seeing the energy and morale of everyone, having Coach (Bobby) Bowden back and hearing the crowd cheer for him was really awesome for me, personally.
"We got some things accomplished in the spring ball that we wanted to. ... Now it's moving on to the offseason with a lot of positive momentum, and it's up to us to continue to build on that positive momentum now."
Taggart praised his players for grasping the new schemes his coaching staff has implemented this spring.
On offense, Taggart said his players have adjusted to the fast-pace, no-huddle tempo he hopes to play with next season.
On defense, the Seminoles have adapted a simpler playing style behind new defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett, who aims to have players playing "fast, physical and aggressive" without being confused by play calls.
"(We're) just trying to get better in what we're doing, trying to implement the way we do things. (And) change the culture to how we want it and have great coaches in here to mentor and hold our guys accountable to doing what they say they're going to do," Taggart said.
"I know what I thought Florida State has always been and should be, and (we're) going to try to implement that vision with everyone around and get it back to a championship level."
