There are not many people better equipped to speak to young athletes on Florida's Gulf Coast then area native and new Florida State football coach Willie Taggart. He will have the honor of serving as the guest speaker at the Best of HT Preps awards banquet this spring.

The third annual event takes place on May 21st at the Robarts Arena. It is being sponsored by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. 

Student-athletes who participate in 21 different sports at 20 area high schools will be recognized. Taggart follows in the footsteps of notable football personalities and former Best of HT Preps speakers Derrick Brooks and Tim Tebow. 

Taggart takes over the Florida State program after going 7-5 in his first season as the Oregon head coach. He spent the previous four years as the head coach at the University of South Florida. 

Taggart's Bulls went 10-2 in 2016 and finished ranked 19th in the polls. He had his first head coaching opportunity at his alma mater Western Kentucky and posted back-to-back 7-5 records in his final two seasons. 

Taggart originally joined the WKU coaching staff in 1999 after being a four-year starter at quarterback for the program. He also spent three years coaching running backs at Stanford. 

To inquire about Willie Taggart's speaking fee and appearance cost, contact the agents at Athlete Speakers by calling us at 800-916-6008 or by Starting Your Booking Request Now. 

Willie Taggart Interview at the Independence Bowl: