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FAMU head coach Willie Simmons reacts to Taggart's firing

Posted at 5:16 PM, Nov 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-05 17:16:58-05

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — They started their head coaching positions at about the same time.

Willie Simmons at Florida A&M University and Willie Taggart at Florida State University, and now in their second season, their careers couldn't be going more differently.

Simmons spoke out Tuesday at FAMU with reaction to Taggart's firing. He said in big money football the emphasis is on wins and it's unfortunate that a lot of the work, the things that go into the coaching profession and what they do and sacrifice gets lost when the wins don't come.

"I think he'll look back at his time at Florida State and realize that he tried to do the right things," said Simmons. "And when you feel that way you can walk away with your head high. And that's what I tell my players sometimes you are going to give everything you have and come up short."

Simmons says the decision to fire Taggart doesn't just affect the coach, it affects his entire family and the assistant coaches families.