Oregon preparing for coaching search with Willie Taggart a target of Florida State

George Schroeder | USA TODAY

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Amid reports Willie Taggart is a leading candidate for the sudden vacancy at Florida State, Oregon officials are gearing up for a coaching search if necessary, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The person requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Taggart, 41, a Florida native, was hired a year ago from South Florida after the Ducks fired Mark Helfrich. Oregon was 7-5 this season, though four of the losses came when starting quarterback Justin Herbert was injured.

Even before Jimbo Fisher’s departure for Texas A&M was official Fricay, Taggart was already being listed as one of the Seminoles’ top targets.

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In preparation, Oregon in recent days has indicated a willingness to increase Taggart’s contract (currently $16 million over five years). Taggart’s buyout is $3 million through the end of January. Oregon paid his $1.5 million buyout to South Florida; he would also owe that.

It’s unclear where Oregon might turn first in a search.

Though Central Florida’s Scott Frost, a former Ducks assistant, is widely believed to be headed to Nebraska, Oregon could make a run at him. Other possible candidates could range from California coach Justin Wilcox, a former Oregon player, to former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin. Nike founder Phil Knight’s interest in and influence on the program could be a significant factor in attempting to lure a coach.

If the job opens, the timing is poor for the Ducks, who appear to have missed their chance for the second consecutive year to rehire Chip Kelly. Last year, Kelly was unavailable when Oregon was searching for a coach, but was fired by the San Francisco 49ers not long afterward. Last week, Kelly was hired by Pac-12 rival UCLA. Although it’s unknown if Kelly would have returned to Eugene to coach again, the Ducks would have liked to find out.