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Can Oregon Football Keep Willie Taggart With A New Contract?

By Justin Phillips

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Willie Taggart of the Oregon Ducks heads off the field after the game against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies beat the Ducks 38-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Willie Taggart of the Oregon Ducks heads off the field after the game against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies beat the Ducks 38-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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The College Coaching Carousel is in full swing and Oregon Head Coach Willie Taggart may be willing to take a ride.

On Wednesday, the University of Oregon offered a new contract to Taggart who is in consideration by Florida State as a possible candidate. Over the last few weeks, Taggart has been linked to possible jobs including Florida. The Ducks went 7-5 in their first season under Taggart after going 4-8 last season. Of course, the Oregon Football Coach is a hot commodity and with Florida roots, coaxing him back to the Sunshine State could be an interesting proposition and a devastating result for the Oregon Ducks.

When Willie Taggart signed with Oregon last year his buyout was for $3 Million which could easily be afforded by a school like Florida State. On Wednesday, Oregon reportedly offered Taggart a 5 year, $20 million extension. His base salary this season was just under $3 million. Before the Washington game, speculation started about Taggart making a jump, but he shut it down quickly.

With the number one recruiting class coming next year, does it make sense for Taggart to leave? I don’t think he will as he has already stated his intent to stay with the Ducks, but a high profile school in his home state could be enough to pull him away – if the money is right.

There have been several moves in College Football over the last week highlighted by former Oregon Coach Chip Kelly heading to the UCLA Bruins and Sunday saw Dan Mullen moving from Mississippi State to Florida.

The Oregon Football Coach has media availability slated for Friday afternoon as Oregon begins practicing for their bowl game, but that is more than two days from now and for some fans that may be too much time for Taggart to ponder the possibilities.

The new deal for Taggart is a one-year extension of the contract he signed last year with a buyout of $4.5 million.

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