Ryan and Shane are both at the Willie Taggart introductory conference.

We’re 20 minutes away from @CoachTaggart’s introductory press conference at #FAU.

The event will be live streamed via @FAU_Football’s Facebook account.

Welcome to Paradise, Willie Taggart!

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

First to bat is President Kelly.

And we're live. First up, @FAUpresident John Kelly.

President Kelly is thanking AD @Brian_E_White_ and @RGAlpert for their hard work this last week. pic.twitter.com/DtXoA5a8fq

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

That didn't take long. President Kelly and AD Brian White only made brief remarks. Now we got the new head man, Willie Taggart.

No time to waste. Welcome to Paradise, @CoachTaggart! pic.twitter.com/Ya9tGWPbUQ

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

Willie Taggart taking a break from thanking the university's and the athletic department's leaders to thank Howard Schnellenberger.

#FAU’s @CoachTaggart: I’m over here looking at one of the best coaches of all time. I’m getting goosebumps just looking at Mr. Schnellenberger. It’s an honor. I can’t wait to see you in the Hall of Fame, you deserve it. pic.twitter.com/EaUgQRLFP1

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

For what it's worth, this is the second time in five days that a coach has said "this place is special" while at FAU Stadium.

#FAU's @CoachTaggart: This place is special. There's a potential to be great. The leadership is in place, and the work is here, and the money is here. We don't want to just win conference championships, but we want to win it all. And I want to be apart of that. pic.twitter.com/qMZu6G4yep

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

Taggart is really impressed with the facilities, and the school's leadership. But he's most impressed with the players.  The players are what is giving the program momentum.

#FAU's @CoachTaggart: I don't need to create any energy. The juice is here. These guys have already built all the momentum needed. We have some players. We have a quarterback! Every coach in America would be happy to have a Quarterback like him back.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

 

Taggart stressed the importance of the assistant coaches recruiting in the tri-country area. He called it, The State of FAU, a method coined by Schnellenberger to create a "State of Miami" within Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.

Shane soon after asked Coach Taggart about the challenges facing the program as we near Early Signing Day on Wednesday.

.@CoachTaggart to our @MarinelliShane on #ESD & recruits: I won't sell them anything else other than the truth. I will meet with every last one of them. We want young men that what to be at #FAU. We'll try to keep the guys that are committed, and add players of great character.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

WOW! What a moment.

Real recognize real.

What a moment for @CoachTaggart, linking up with the 🐐, Howard @Schnellenberger. pic.twitter.com/3J9JAoV6Zs

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

You love to see it, you love to hear it!

#FAU's @CoachTaggart just said "I'm glad to be here in Paradise. That feels great to say!"

Oh yeah, he's bought into what we're doing here y'all!#GoOwls 🌴😎🌴

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019

Sounds like Taggart will try to keep FAU's playing style very similar to the current scheme.

#FAU's @CoachTaggart on his playing style: Fast paced, up-tempo offense. Aggressive defense.

Yep, that'll do just fine.

— FAU Owl's Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) December 12, 2019