On Nov. 9, Athletics Director Wood Selig and President Gary Ransdell held a press conference in Diddle Arena.
The room was packed. There was an intensity about the place. There was a feeling of depression. A dark cloud hung over the Western football program. Ransdell sat at the podium with an evident look of disappointment as Selig explained the course of action Western was taking in not retaining Head Coach David Elson after the season.
Things were different two Mondays later in Diddle Arena. After a two-week coaching search, it all came down to Willie Taggart coming back home.
And as Selig officially introduced Taggart, he fittingly said, ‘Welcome home, Willie.’
There was energy. Smiles were abundant. And when Ransdell, Selig and new coach Willie Taggart walked in, there was rousing applause.
Taggart sat there while Selig read an opening statement. Taggart winked at familiar faces throughout the crowd.
He tried to hide a smile, but was unable to consistently keep the grin off his face.
Taggart’s nerves about being in front of a room full of people that had big expectations for him were apparent too. His voice was a bit shaky at times while he read his opening statement.
But from there on out, Taggart’s confidence in himself was apparent. He said the right things, making the right impression.
And as Taggart put a Western cap on and held up a No. 10 jersey representing the 2010 season, a big smile flashed across his face.
The trio on stage did exactly what’s expected in any setting where a new coach is introduced in a climate like Western’s.
They acknowledged the challenges but also embraced them as well.
Taggart even compared this rebuilding project to a hurricane wiping out his town and said it is his responsibility to rebuild.
If that’s the way Taggart wants to look at it, let’s hope he doesn’t look to FEMA for advice.
Taggart’s name or current gig maybe didn’t have the flash other candidates did, but Selig said selling this hire is easy.
“He understands WKU — he’s a WKU alum,” Selig said. “He is so well-respected in college football and even the NFL football world.”
But Taggart is going to take this project under his wing.
“I love challenges,” he said.
And that may be what makes Taggart a great fit for this job at the end of the day.
Other candidates may have looked at Western as a stepping-stone, a chance to better their own resumes.
For Taggart, it’s not only about the dream of becoming a head coach, but also getting his alma mater and a place he cares about to the level that people envision it.
Taggart’s reputation as a Topper is firmly set in stone. He’s remembered as a great player and a favorite son of the Western community.
Young Willie is still young, and he’s about to grow up right in front of us — leading, ironically enough, the youngest program in the Football Bowl Subdivison.
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