EUGENE – Willie Taggart, the newest head coach of the Oregon Duck football program, was formally introduced by athletic director Rob Mullens during a press conference Thursday morning. Taggart was energetic in his opening statement and seemed to brimming with confidence about where the future of Duck football.
“I’m excited,” said Taggart. “Very excited to have the opportunity to be here at the University of Oregon, a place where I feel like we can win a national championship.”
Taggart was comfortable and friendly in front of the media, but as soon as his press conference got started he was ready to be done and get the ball rolling with the Ducks.
“To be perfectly honest with you all, I cannot wait until the press conference is over with so I can get to work.”
The 40-year-old is the 33rd head coach in the program’s history. He comes from the University of South Florida, where he turned around a program that went 2-10 his first season to a school-record 10-2 in his last. The Florida native also helped turn around his Alma Mater Western Kentucky and when asked how he will get Oregon back on track, he had a simple answer.
“Everyone in our football program, everyone that touches our football program, will attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”
Taggart answered lots of questions. He plans to start talking to former assistant coaches at Oregon, as well as his former assistants and others very soon to begin compiling a coaching staff at UO. He’s also going to get on the recruiting trail immediately and will go over the list of current committed players to see which ones are still good fits for the team. Taggart was also asked how he plans to fix Oregon’s dismal defense and he echoed the advice given to him at the start of the press conference by UO president Michael Schill.
“Getting a really good defensive coordinator, first and foremost,” Taggart explained. “The very best one we can get and trust me, there’s a lot of them that want to be here as well.”
Near the end of his time in front of the press, Taggart was asked what he would have to say to fans that might have distanced themselves from the program after a down year.
“Buckle up, because it’s going to be fun. We’re going to get after it. We’re going to recruit the best of the best.”
Taggart spent about 30 minutes in front of the media. Watch the full video of his time in front of the media below.
