Story: Willie Taggart and other coaches recruiting above their pay grade in 2018

[RivalsWoody]

USA Today released its annual college football coaches salary database recently and there was plenty of discussion about which of the nation’s highest-paid coaches are actually earning their keep in terms of on-field performance. But what about from a recruiting perspective? Today we look at the database and cross reference it with the class of 2018 recruiting rankings to see which coaches are a bargain for their efforts on the recruiting trail.

WILLIE TAGGART, OREGON

Willie Taggart
AP Images
Current recruiting ranking: 5
Current salary ranking: 42

Taggart’s first year in Eugene has seen its share of ups and downs, but there’s no doubting his ability to recruit and assemble a staff that can do the same. Oregon’s rise up the rankings has been aided by out-of-state recruiting, with players like Rivals100 wide receiver Warren Thompson, a Florida native, headlining the class. Because of his ties to Florida, a relatively low salary and his recruiting prowess, Taggart’s name has already been mentioned in relation to the open Florida job. Some were surprised when Oregon reached across the country to hire Taggart, but if the current class holds it will be the best Ducks class since the heart of the Chip Kelly era.

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