We're not going to complain about having a head coach that doesn't say much in press conferences. The history of our program has had one coach that was nationally notorious for his awful pressers (Leavitt), and one that was fantastic on the mic but atrocious on the field (Holtz). We'll take wins over sound bites every time.
And I like hearing Willie speak. He's engaging and personable, and yesterday he was actually asking for more questions from the media during his event. But he doesn't really say too much in things like these that's not coachspeak. It's not a knock, as that's the way he feels comfortable talking about his program. But if you're looking for insight, you might not get much. And that's totally fine.
But it's nice to see kids like Austin Reiter, Todd Chandler, Andre Davis, and Reshard Cliett get a chance to have a chance at the podium. You learn things like some people actually had negative feedback about Todd Chandler's 700 lb. squat (really, internet? REALLY??) and that Andre Davis spent his summer as a local recreation leader and helping kids to read near his alma mater Jefferson High School.
The best quotes from Media Day that we hacks in attendance transcribed on Twitter are below. And you can watch the whole thing here if you'd like.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>No preseason guarantee from <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTaggart">@CoachTaggart</a>, but goal is clear: "I wouldn't say bowl game or bust, but a bowl game's a must."</p>— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/496018613334450176">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Taggart says there aren't any excuses. Expects results from the veterans in his system.</p>— Jeff Odom (@ByJeffOdom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJeffOdom/statuses/496018907858477057">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Taggart says it will be "running back by committee" to start with ... A group effort to start the season off.</p>— Jeff Odom (@ByJeffOdom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJeffOdom/statuses/496019215242235904">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"This year our guys have got to become true believers." <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTaggart">@CoachTaggart</a></p>— USF Football (@USFFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/USFFootball/statuses/496017021206036481">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Taggart asked if QB job is Mike White's to lose: "It's a job for somebody to take, and that's at every position."</p>— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/496021567256928256">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USF?src=hash">#USF</a> quarterbacks using GoPro cameras in practice. Taggart said it gives them a chance to see film from a field-view, which has helped.</p>— Jeff Odom (@ByJeffOdom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJeffOdom/statuses/496023654686547969">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Taggart says the guys he's recruiting haven't asked him about autonomy, cost of attendance, etc.</p>— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/496024647763496960">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USF?src=hash">#USF</a>'s Reiter says he's not a dessert guy ... Diet to add muscle included "a lot of grilled chicken ... A lot."</p>— Jeff Odom (@ByJeffOdom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJeffOdom/statuses/496025458807681026">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Austin Reiter: “The last two seasons have given me a pretty big chip on my shoulder."</p>— Collin Sherwin (@USFCollin) <a href="https://twitter.com/USFCollin/statuses/496026094412525568">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Austin Reiter feels "extremely confident" with either White or Bench as the starting quarterback.</p>— USF Football (@USFFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/USFFootball/statuses/496025759438635008">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Andre Davis has been working as a local recreation leader in his old neighborhood in the offseason. Also helping kids read too.</p>— Collin Sherwin (@USFCollin) <a href="https://twitter.com/USFCollin/statuses/496027770078896128">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USF?src=hash">#USF</a> Andre Davis said last year he wanted to work on becoming a leader. Going into the season, he now considers himself a "team-first guy."</p>— Jeff Odom (@ByJeffOdom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJeffOdom/statuses/496027397238845442">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USF?src=hash">#USF</a>'s Todd Chandler says there's a sense of urgency being a senior ... It's all or nothing. <a href="http://t.co/l3iFrgIhSS">pic.twitter.com/l3iFrgIhSS</a></p>— Jeff Odom (@ByJeffOdom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJeffOdom/statuses/496028415888084992">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USF?src=hash">#USF</a> LB Reshard Cliett says he is 100 percent healthy going into camp: "Really excited." <a href="http://t.co/5Vjb8FUw8O">pic.twitter.com/5Vjb8FUw8O</a></p>— Jeff Odom (@ByJeffOdom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJeffOdom/statuses/496029737014157312">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Reshard Cliett... "We've got to become a top 10 defense." USF's defense finished ranked in the top 25 last season.</p>— USF Football (@USFFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/USFFootball/statuses/496030548566220801">August 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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