USF Bulls coaching search: Willie Taggart, Calvin Magee among candidates

The South Florida Bulls' search for a new head coach has so far been secretive. However, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times thinks that there are two coaches in particular that could make for good candidates for the vacant position. One popular name that has surfaced is Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach Willie Taggart.

Taggart coached the Hilltoppers to their first Bowl Game this season, the Little Caeser's Bowl on Dec. 26 against the Central Michigan Chippewas. Taggart hails from Palmetto, Fla. and Auman believes that he is the best case scenario for South Florida:

Taggart may represent the best intersection of upside, interest, affordability and local ties out of a long list of coaches linked to USF's opening.

Another name that has come up under consideration is former Bulls assistant coach Calvin Magee. Magee has spent the the last few years being an assistant coach with Rich Rodriguez, helping coach such quarterbacks as West Virginia's Pat White and Michigan's Denard Robinson. As an assistant on the Arizona Wildcats this season, the team averaged 521 yards per game and scored 58 total touchdowns.

Magee has already been interviewed for the job and has been contacted a second time by South Florida. Other former Bulls assistants that have expressed interest in returning to Tampa include North Texas Mean Green head coach Dan McCarney and offensive coordinator Mike Canales.