Florida State led Boise State for about 80 percent of their eventual Week 1 loss to the Broncos. It was fitting, because if Florida State fires head coach Willie Taggart before his six-year, $30-million expires, they'll owe him a buyout that's more than 80 percent of the remaining balance.
NEW: Candidates to Replace Taggart
In early December 2017, days after eighth-year head coach Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M, Florida State swiped Taggart from Oregon. It was a pricey swipe. They paid Oregon $3 million for Taggart's buyout and about $1.4 million that Oregon previously owed Taggart's former employer, South Florida.
His six-year contract calls for a base salary of $5 million per season:
Date of Hire through Jan. 31, 2019: $5 million
Feb. 1, 2019 through Jan. 31, 2020: $5 million
Feb. 1, 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021: $5 million
Feb. 1, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2022: $5 million
Feb. 1, 2022 through Jan. 31, 2023: $5 million
Feb. 1, 2023 through Jan. 31, 2024: $5 million
And he is eligible to receive several bonuses:
Win national championship: $500,000
Play in national championship: $250,000
Make College Football Playoff: $250,000
New Year’s Six Bowl: 175,000
Bowl appearance and 7-plus wins: $100,000
Bowl appearance: $50,000
Win ACC Championship: $150,000
ACC Championship appearance: $100,000
ACC Coach of the Year: $50,000
Undefeated season: $100,000
National Coach of the Year: $75,000
Single Season APR over 950: $100,000,
APR over 975: $175,000
APR over 990: $200,000
APR over 1,000: $250,000
If Florida State fires Taggart before his contract expires on Jan. 31, 2023, his buyout is 85 percent of the remaining balance. For example, for simplicity's sake, if the Seminoles fire Taggart on Feb. 1, 2020, after his second full season as head coach, they would owe him 85 percent of $20 million, or $17 million.
Feb. 1, 2020: $17 million
Feb. 1, 2021: $12.75 million
Feb. 1, 2022: $8.5 million
Feb. 1: 2023: $4.25 million
If Taggart voluntarily leaves Florida State, he owes $5 million (or the remaining balance if less than $5 million).
