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Florida-based recruits give impressions of Taggart, Mullen

Willie Taggart
Willie Taggart (AP)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- With Dan Mullen and Willie Taggart settling into their offices at Florida and Florida State respectively, opinions on the two new coaches in the Sunshine State are starting to form. The narrative relating to each will certainly change as their careers unfold, but Rivals.com recently polled a handful of recruits to gauge perception of the new head coaches on the block.

A number of sought-after, Florida-based prospect gave their input on the two new hires and shared their opinions on, among other things, which coach will win more games in year one.

MORE: Three-Point Stance | Would UCF competed well in CFB playoff?

ON FSU'S WILLIE TAGGART

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“I know he’s a really good coach, but I don’t know too much about him. I just have people tell me he’s a good coach and a player’s coach.” -- Rivals100 defensive back Josh Sanguinetti

“I don’t really know too much. I just know he was at Oregon and then he came to Florida State. I’m pretty sure he’s a good coach and they’re gonna do big things at Florida State.” – Four-star Tennessee commit Te'Cory Couch

“The biggest thing I like about him is that he was at our schools down here the day after he was signed. He was out talking to us. That meant a lot to me. It showed that he doesn’t just want to be in his office. He wanted to get out and talk to us. He wanted to reach out.” -- Class-of-2020 athlete Derek Wingo

“I know he coached out on the West Coast. I don’t really know anything else about him. From what I’m hearing, he’s a good coach.” – Four-star defensive back Tyler Scott

“I’m loving him. He’s a pretty good coach. He recruited me even back when he was at USF and then offered me at Oregon. He’s following me this year. I like him.” – Athlete Trevor Solomon-Wilson

“He’s good. I like him. I haven’t talked to him yet but I like him.” -- 2020 Miami commit Marc Britt

“When I think of him, I think of a wise man. He changed that program at Oregon. His memo is “do something,” and by the time he was done at Oregon they definitely did something.” – 2019 defensive back Tiawan Mullen

ON FLORIDA'S DAN MULLEN

Dan Mullen
Dan Mullen (AP)

“I met him. I met him a while back. He’s a player’s coach for sure. He’s a really good guy. He’s down to earth.” -- Sanguinetti

“I don’t know much. They haven’t really hit me up, but I’m pretty sure he’s a good coach.” – Couch

“I would like to see him come out a little bit more. I’ve seen a lot of his assistants come out and talk to us, though. They talk about getting us up to the campus and getting us in on visits.” – Wingo

“I know he was at Mississippi State. They recruited me a little, but I don’t know a lot really.” – Scott

“I don’t really know him. He’s sent me stuff. Two or three letters, but that’s it.” -- Solomon-Wilson

“Seems like a family kind of guy. I don’t know him, but that’s how it seems.” – Britt

“He’s a great guy. He offered me at Mississippi State. So when I think of him, I just think about looking forward to that Florida offer.” -- Mullen

ON WHICH PROGRAM WILL WIN MORE GAMES IN 2O18

“I think Florida. I think they’ll probably win five or six.” -- Sanguinetti

“I’m gonna go with Florida State just because I feel like they had a young team. I mean, I know Florida had a young team, too, but Florida State is really good.” – Couch

“Next year? I think definitely Florida State. It has more talent and South Florida has been getting up there a little more. I think Florida is rising too, but I think Florida State for next year.” – Wingo

“I got Florida. They have nice transfers coming in this year.” – Scott

“I’m going with Taggart.” -- Solomon-Wilson

“If I can’t say Miami, I’ll say Florida State. I think they’ll win a couple more.” – Britt

“That’s tough. It depends, but I’m going to say Florida State. I’m only saying that because Florida State was my favorite school growing up, though.” -- Mullen

ON WHICH CLOSE WILL STAY IN PLACE LONGER

“Dan Mullen. I mean, Willie had been, like, three places in two years. So I mean, it seems like that one’s pretty easy.” -- Sanguinetti

“I think Dan Mullen because I’ve seen what Coach Taggart did in the past.” – Couch

“Definitely Taggart because he’s a South Florida guy. This means something to him.” – Wingo

“I got Dan. Who knows with Willie Taggart? He might want to go back to the West Coast or something. Who knows?” – Scott

“Taggart. I think he’s a fit there for sure.” -- Solomon-Wilson

“I think Mullen. Florida seems like his home. It seems like that the place he really wants to be.” – Britt

“God bless them both but I’ll say Dan Mullen because he was at the staff at Florida once already and it feels like that’s where he belongs.” -- Mullen

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