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Florida State owes Willie Taggart second-largest buyout in college history

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 11/3/19

Florida State’s decision to fire Willie Taggart so early in his tenure is a costly one.

Taggart was owed nearly $18 million in his contract buyout, according to the Orlando Sentinel’s Matt Murschel.

Willie Taggart was 9-12 during his time at Florida State. His buyout was around $18M.

— Matt Murschel (@osmattmurschel) November 3, 2019

Action Network's Darren Rovell notes that the $17 million buyout would be the second biggest in college history.

Willie Taggart’s buying from FSU comes out to around $17 million, will be second largest buyout in college history. Charlie Weis was paid $18.9 million to leave Notre Dame.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 3, 2019

Yahoo’s Pete Thamel says that if Taggart’s entire coaching staff is bought out at the end of the season, the entire cost to move on would be around $20 million.

The buyout for Willie Taggart is more than $17 million. FSU will end up paying more than $20 million to buy out the whole staff at the end of the year. One of the bigger buyouts in college football history.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 3, 2019

If coaches on staff are able to find new jobs, their future salaries will offset against their buyout amounts, so it is possible that Florida State will not pay out that full $20 million amount. Regardless, between the cost to move on from Taggart and what it will take to hire someone new, the Seminoles made a very, very expensive decision.

Taggart was enjoying the team’s win over Syracuse last weekend because he knew how much his job was in danger. It turns out that was the last win he got to celebrate.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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