WEDNESDAY
10:40 a.m. Update -- Couple of other things we spoke with Taggart about:
* On Deonte Sheffield, Taggart confirmed that Deonte is still a "walk-on" and not guaranteed a scholarship. There has been some discussion that he was guaranteed a scholarship after his first year, but that's not the case. He'll get one if he earns one and there is one available, Taggart said. He clearly does love Deonte and what he brings to the table.
* As for the incoming freshman class, Taggart said he doesn't know of any academic casualties. He's still expecting and hoping to have them all.
* On the single-digit jerseys, Willie said that still won't be decided until preseason camp.
9:50 a.m. Update -- Just caught up with Coach Taggart again. Had some really strong things to say about the football facility and the need for a standalone building. Story coming shortly.
He also confirmed that Alec Eberle, Josh Kaindoh and several other injured players who missed the spring are ready for full-go now.
9 a.m. Update -- The coaches and administrators are back at it this morning. The football coaches and basketball coaches likely will wrap up their meetings by around lunch time. Then the administrators will continue meeting through Thursday morning.
I'll have a story coming today on FSU's position (and possibly some other schools' thoughts) on the transfer rules being considered by the NCAA ... such as allowing players with good grades to transfer without sitting out a year. Will also update any other topics being considered.
We probably won't get a strong update on the ACC Network until Thursday, when we wrap up with Commissioner Swofford.
TUESDAY
2 p.m. Update -- Willie confirmed he'll be at the announcement ceremony Wednesday in Jacksonville for the 2019 FSU-Boise game. When I asked him his opinions on neutral-site games, he said he understands that they're part of the business now. They generate huge ratings and money and fans seem to like them. But he said he prefers doing them in place of road games, not home games. Will have more on that later. He incidentally has never coached in one of these neutral-site game before.
12:30 p.m. Update -- We just spoke with Coach Taggart for about 15 minutes. Talked about a number of topics and will have more coming. But here are some highlights:
* He said the team did a lot better academically this spring than the previous semester. Didn't give specifics, but he said their goal is to have a team 3.0 GPA. Not there yet, but he feels they're making major progress.
* He had some good things to say about paying players. Said they need to be paid, but not necessarily while they're in school. He thinks money should go to a trust fund that they can access when they graduate college. Said the school takes great care of them when they're in school, but what happens after? He does think it should be tied to graduation though.
* We also talked the transfer rules, which have been a hot topic, and he said players should definitely have the right to transfer, but sitting out a year needs to be part of the process. He doesn't ever see a scenario where players can just come and go like free agents. He also thinks players should be released from scholarships if they sign and a coach leaves.
* Will have more coming soon.
---------------------------------
Howdy folks,
Made the annual trek to Amelia Island for the ACC spring meetings this morning ... it's tough work, but somebody has to do it.
Unlike the ACC Kickoff in July, this is not really a "media" event. It's a work session.
The football coaches, men's and women's basketball coaches, athletic directors and faculty reps from each school will meet for a few days to discuss conference rules and also offer opinions on national issues, such as transfer regulations, etc. There also will be updates on the ACC Network, etc.
This will be Willie Taggart's first trip here, so we'll definitely be catching up with him to get his thoughts on some of the bigger issues.
Hope to get some decent info when they break for lunch. Will update when we do.
10:40 a.m. Update -- Couple of other things we spoke with Taggart about:
* On Deonte Sheffield, Taggart confirmed that Deonte is still a "walk-on" and not guaranteed a scholarship. There has been some discussion that he was guaranteed a scholarship after his first year, but that's not the case. He'll get one if he earns one and there is one available, Taggart said. He clearly does love Deonte and what he brings to the table.
* As for the incoming freshman class, Taggart said he doesn't know of any academic casualties. He's still expecting and hoping to have them all.
* On the single-digit jerseys, Willie said that still won't be decided until preseason camp.
9:50 a.m. Update -- Just caught up with Coach Taggart again. Had some really strong things to say about the football facility and the need for a standalone building. Story coming shortly.
He also confirmed that Alec Eberle, Josh Kaindoh and several other injured players who missed the spring are ready for full-go now.
9 a.m. Update -- The coaches and administrators are back at it this morning. The football coaches and basketball coaches likely will wrap up their meetings by around lunch time. Then the administrators will continue meeting through Thursday morning.
I'll have a story coming today on FSU's position (and possibly some other schools' thoughts) on the transfer rules being considered by the NCAA ... such as allowing players with good grades to transfer without sitting out a year. Will also update any other topics being considered.
We probably won't get a strong update on the ACC Network until Thursday, when we wrap up with Commissioner Swofford.
TUESDAY
2 p.m. Update -- Willie confirmed he'll be at the announcement ceremony Wednesday in Jacksonville for the 2019 FSU-Boise game. When I asked him his opinions on neutral-site games, he said he understands that they're part of the business now. They generate huge ratings and money and fans seem to like them. But he said he prefers doing them in place of road games, not home games. Will have more on that later. He incidentally has never coached in one of these neutral-site game before.
12:30 p.m. Update -- We just spoke with Coach Taggart for about 15 minutes. Talked about a number of topics and will have more coming. But here are some highlights:
* He said the team did a lot better academically this spring than the previous semester. Didn't give specifics, but he said their goal is to have a team 3.0 GPA. Not there yet, but he feels they're making major progress.
* He had some good things to say about paying players. Said they need to be paid, but not necessarily while they're in school. He thinks money should go to a trust fund that they can access when they graduate college. Said the school takes great care of them when they're in school, but what happens after? He does think it should be tied to graduation though.
* We also talked the transfer rules, which have been a hot topic, and he said players should definitely have the right to transfer, but sitting out a year needs to be part of the process. He doesn't ever see a scenario where players can just come and go like free agents. He also thinks players should be released from scholarships if they sign and a coach leaves.
* Will have more coming soon.
---------------------------------
Howdy folks,
Made the annual trek to Amelia Island for the ACC spring meetings this morning ... it's tough work, but somebody has to do it.
Unlike the ACC Kickoff in July, this is not really a "media" event. It's a work session.
The football coaches, men's and women's basketball coaches, athletic directors and faculty reps from each school will meet for a few days to discuss conference rules and also offer opinions on national issues, such as transfer regulations, etc. There also will be updates on the ACC Network, etc.
This will be Willie Taggart's first trip here, so we'll definitely be catching up with him to get his thoughts on some of the bigger issues.
Hope to get some decent info when they break for lunch. Will update when we do.
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