What's up with telly we about to get him???
I see 24/7 said something about coach T closing in on his first coaching hire
Coaching Insider: Taggart closing in on his first hire
This is what I’m hearing on Florida State’s potential assistant coaching hires:
— Willie Taggart’s first assistant coaching hire at FSU could come within the next week. I spoke to a source with direct knowledge that tells me former Oregon State running back coach Telly Lockette is close to finalizing a deal to join Taggart’s staff. His exact position is unknown on offense. Lockette has worked primarily with running backs, but would be open to coaching another position on the offensive side of the ball. Nothing has been finalized, but I expect things to get worked out here in the next few days.
— Who is Taggart going to bring from Oregon? A week ago Raymond Woodie and Donte Pimpleton sounded like slam-dunks to come to FSU. Over the past few days I’ve been hearing it’s about 50/50 that Woodie would remain at Oregon. However, I still fully expect Pimpleton to join the offensive staff in some capacity.
— At the quarterback position, I’ve mentioned two names in the south that makes sense - Shaun King and Chris Weinke. I’m not ruling them out, but I can confirm neither have been contacted yet by Willie Taggart. Which leads me to believe current Oregon receivers coach Michael Johnson could be in play. Johnson has coached quarterbacks in the NFL and in college. He also has offensive coordinator experience with the 49ers in 2010 and in college with UCLA in 2011.
— Another name to watch coming from Oregon is Dave Kelly. He’s currently title at Oregon is Football Recruiting Operations. I expect him to come to FSU in that role, but I’ve also been told by a good source to not count out a return to the field. Kelly could fit on-field at receiver, running back or tight end, but I’d say odds are he remains in an off-field role. But one way or another, I expect Kelly at FSU.
— I’ve asked around on the possibility of Taggart hiring FAU offensive coordinator Kendall Briles. I haven’t been able to confirm that there’s contact, but those in coaching circles believes he’s a name that should be involved in the discussion to join FSU’s staff. Willie Taggart had a relationship with the Baylor coaching staff while he was at USF and even brought his staff to Baylor for 3 days to learn some of the characteristics of their offense. The only thing I’ve been cautioned about is whether or not Briles would be willing to come to FSU in a non-play calling role since Taggart is the one calling the plays.
— On to Jim Leavitt. I continue to hear FSU is in play with him. While we didn’t jump on the initial rumors that Leavitt was a done deal to FSU, we have consistently heard he is the primary target at defensive coordinator. I wouldn’t expect anything to be known until Sunday at the earliest, as Oregon plays in their bowl game on Saturday. We’ve said numerous times that Jim Leavitt is searching for a head coaching job. However, as of now there aren’t any that I could peg him for. Leavitt has a large buyout (500k) on his current contract and is getting paid very well, he’s making $1.15 million in Eugene. When it’s all said and done, I think Leavitt ends up at FSU, but ‘Nole fans may need to have patience with this hire.
— I don’t have anything new on Ron Dugans or Terrell Buckley, two former ‘Noles. That doesn’t mean they’re out of the discussion, I still hear they are in play, but as of now neither has been offered a job. Both are young, energetic coaches that have gotten results on the recruiting trail and fit what Taggart is looking for when putting together a coaching staff.
