Complete overview of Florida State's new football coaching staff
Head Football Coach
Willie Taggart (41) – Head Coach
Hometown: Bradenton, Fla.
Last School: Oregon (2017)
Other Stops: South Florida (2013-16), Western Kentucky (2010-12), Stanford (RBs, 2007-09), Western Kentucky (Assist., 1999-2006)
Notes:
* The 10th full-time head football coach in Florida State history
* Was officially announced as head coach just five days after Jimbo Fisher stepped down.
* Salary: $30 million for six years ($5 million annually)
* Turned around floundering programs at both Western Kentucky and South Florida.
* Learned under Jack Harbaugh (Western Ky.) and Jim Harbaugh (Stanford)
Stories:
Taggart's enthusiasm makes quick impression on other FSU coaches
15 things we learned during Willie Taggart's FSU introduction
Warchant TV: Willie Taggart introduced as Florida State's new head football coach
Assistant Coaches
Offense
Walt Bell (33) - Offensive coordinator and QB coach
Hometown: Dickson, Tenn.
Last School: Maryland (2016-17) as OC and QB coach
Other Stops: Southern Miss (WR), North Carolina (TE) and Arkansas State (OC)
Notes:
* Youngest member of Florida State’s coaching staff.
* In his first year at Maryland, helped the Terps rack up over 2,500 rushing yards for the first time in 13 years.
* His offense at Arkansas St. broke five school records.
* He turned down an offer to become the head coach at Louisiana-Monroe two years ago. Had he accepted, Bell would have been the youngest FBS coach at age 31.
Stories:
Closer look at new FSU O.C. Bell ... 'He's going to be great'
Reports: Bell hired to be FSU's next offensive coordinator
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Donte' Pimpleton (38) - Running backs coach
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Last School: Oregon (2017) as RBs coach
Other Stops: South Florida, Western Kentucky
Notes:
* A college teammate of Taggart at Western Kentucky.
* Coached Royce Freeman at Oregon, a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award.
* In 2016, USF set school records with 3,709 rushing yards, 47 rushing touchdowns, an average of 6.50 yards per rush (No. 2 nationally), and averaged of 285.7 rushing yards per game.
* Coached Marlon Mack for two seasons at USF.
* Played quarterback and wide receiver at Western Kentucky.
Stories:
Pimpleton agrees to join Taggart's staff
Two Taggart assistants now official: FSU adds Woodie, Pimpleton
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Telly Lockette (43) - Tight ends coach
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Last School: Oregon State (2016-17) as RBs coach
Other Stops: USF, Miami Central (HS, 2008-12)
Notes:
* Coached running backs at South Florida under Willie Taggart in 2013-14, where he was the primary recruiter for the Miami area.
* As head coach at Miami Central, he guided the Rockets to two 6A state titles. He was also the offensive coordinator at Miami Northwestern when the Bulls won the state title in 2006.
* While at Central, he coached both Dalvin Cook and former Seminoles star Devonta Freeman, the highest paid running back in the NFL.
* Has major connections in South Florida, which should really help FSU recruit that fertile part of the state. Has never coached tight ends after before.
Stories:
Telly Lockette is the first addition to Willie Taggart's staff
Recruiting experts: Lockette will give FSU 'huge' lift in South Florida
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David Kelly (61) - Wide receivers coach/Recruiting coordinator
Hometown: Union, S.C.
Last School: Oregon (2017) admin – recruiting
Other Stops: Stanford, Duke, UGA, Ga. Tech, LSU, UCF
Notes:
* Last two jobs (USF and Oregon) were in administrative/off-field roles.
* Oldest member of FSU’s coaching staff.
* Started out as a high school coach in Georgia. Won 4A state championship in 1993.
*Named a Top 25 recruiter by Rivals in 2009 and ESPN in 2010.
* UCF’s assistant HC in 2011 and was being groomed to possibly become the next head coach. Fired after being accused by the NCAA of misconduct in recruiting, which he steadfastly denied.
Greg Frey (45) - Offensive line coach/Run game coordinator
Hometown: Clearwater, Fla.
Last School: Michigan (2017) OT, TE, run game coordinator
Other Stops: West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan (twice), USF
Notes:
* This is the second time Frey has replaced Rick Trickett. He also took over the West Virginia OL coaching duties in 2007 after Trickett left for FSU.
* Got his start in coaching in 1996 as a graduate assistant at USF. He ended up coaching with the Bulls for 11 years, with the last seven overseeing the offensive line.
* Played offensive line for Bobby Bowden at Florida State from 1991-95.
* Has coached more than 20 players who would go on to the NFL.
Story: Former Seminole player Greg Frey hired as new FSU O-line coach
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Defense
Harlon Barnett (51) - Defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Prior School: Michigan State (2007-17) defensive backs coach, co-defensive coordinator in 2015-17
Other Schools: Cincinnati, LSU (graduate assistant)
Notes:
* The primary defensive play-caller for Michigan State. Last season, the Spartans were ranked No. 4 in total defense and held seven teams to 10 points or less.
* All-American player at Michigan State under then-defensive coordinator Nick Saban. His first coaching job was as a graduate assistant on Saban’s staff at LSU in 2003.
* Known for being aggressive on defense, especially with his defensive backs. Michigan State forced 23 turnovers last season; FSU's defense forced 15.
* As with most of the staff, is considered an excellent recruiter in Georgia and Florida.
* Played in the NFL for seven seasons.
Stories:
New FSU defensive coordinator Barnett was beloved by Spartans
Taggart snares Spartans' Barnett to lead FSU defense
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Odell Haggins (50) - Defensive tackles coach
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
Last School: Florida State (since 1994)
Notes:
* Has been on FSU’s coaching staff for 23 seasons.
* Coached 17 defensive linemen who have been selected in the NFL Draft (will be 18 this year with Derrick Nnadi).
* Played defensive tackle for Bobby Bowden from 1985-89. Earned Kodak, Walter Camp and UPI All-America honors as a senior in 1989. Played in the NFL for three seasons.
* An excellent recruiter in both Florida and the D.M.V. area (D.C., Maryland and Virginia).
* For four consecutive years was named a Top 25 recruiter by Rivals.com.
Stories:
Odell Haggins to remain on FSU's coaching staff
As always, Odell Haggins is rock solid when FSU needs him
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Mark Snyder (53) - Defensive ends coach
Hometown: South Point, Ohio
Last School: Michigan State (2015-17) DEs coach in ’17, LBs before that.
Other Stops: Texas A&M (DC), Ohio State (DC), UCF (DC), Marshall (HC)
Notes:
* Six years of FBS experience as a defensive coordinator.
* Worked closely with FSU defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett at Michigan State.
* Head coach at Marshall for five years (2005-09).
* Jim Tressel disciple. Worked with the former Buckeyes head coach at Ohio State and Youngstown State.
Story: FSU grabs another top Spartans assistant; Snyder joins defensive staff
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Raymond Woodie Jr. (44) Linebackers coach
Hometown: Palmetto, FL
Last School: Oregon (2017) OLB, DE
Other Stops: Western Ky., USF, Oregon
Notes:
*Like Taggart, Woodie is originally from Palmetto, Fla.
*Has been with Taggart more than any other coach on the staff (Western Ky., USF, Oregon).
*A strong recruiter with many contacts in the Tampa and Orlando areas.
*In his one year at Oregon, one recruiting service named him the Pac-12 recruiter of the year.
* Has defensive coordinator experience -- USF in 2016.
Stories:
LBs coach Woodie could have major impact on '18 class, beyond
Two Taggart assistants now official: FSU adds Woodie, Pimpleton
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Special Teams
Alonzo Hampton (43) – Special-teams coordinator
Hometown: Warren, Ark.
Prior School: Oregon (2017) defensive analyst
Other Stops: South Florida (2015-16, ST, DBs), Western KY (2011-12, DBs)
Notes:
* Has several years’ experience coaching at the high school level in both Georgia and Arkansas.
* Played for the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars during the late 90s.
* Worked with Taggart previously at Western Ky., USF and Oregon.
* Strong recruiter in Georgia.
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