LINCOLN — A different coach might not have thought this to be a good move.

As the newest Football Bowl Subdivision member, Western Kentucky is taking its inevitable kicks in the facemask.

A national champion just seven years before at a lower level, the Hilltoppers last season finished 0-12. That followed losing their final eight games of 2008.

It cost David Elson his job last November, when WKU officials decided they didn’t like the direction the program seemed to be heading.

With the position open, Willie Taggart just wanted to know where to sign.

“I knew what I was getting into, but I also know where this program can go — where it’s been and where it can go,” Taggart said. “Personally, I love challenges, and we’ve got a hell of a challenge ahead of us now.

“But we truly believe we can turn it around and get it back to where it belongs.”

Western Kentucky begins its 2010 season Saturday with a 6 p.m. game at Nebraska, not only a long-established FBS program but one ranked eighth and ninth nationally in preseason polls.

It’s a tough way to start, Taggart admits, but just goes with the mission he chose to accept. And as a former Hilltoppers quarterback and assistant coach, it’s one that he understands and believes in.

“I played here, coached here, and just the winning ways — the way we did things before — I knew the potential,” Taggart said. “I know we can go beyond where we’re at. But it’s a process, and it’s going to take time and it’s going to be a little tougher than expected.”

Western Kentucky was on the verge of starting its transition to the FBS level when Taggart left in 2006 after eight seasons as an assistant coach. The idea of leaving the Football Championship Subdivision level (formerly Division I-AA) was something that had been discussed for several years.

Taggart was behind it, saying he felt as if the school had done everything else, including 511 all-time wins, 12 conference championships, 10 playoff appearances and the 2002 I-AA national championship. The tradition was strong and the recruiting base solid, and L.T. Smith Stadium was in the process of expanding to 25,000 seats.

“I thought the next logical thing was to go to FBS,” he said. “Sometimes people are not happy with change, but change is good.”

Elson led WKU through the FCS-FBS transition before being fired during the school’s first official season in the Sun Belt Conference. It was Elson whom had gotten the job back in 2003 when Taggart, then 27, was a candidate.

Since returning, Taggart has found the president and administration to be supportive. He said first-year Athletic Director Ross Bjork is not only somebody who is full of energy but armed with the experience of previously being at BCS conference schools (UCLA, Miami, Missouri).

“I see no reason for us not to be successful,” Taggart said.

It hasn’t happened yet, but Taggart said that’s where patience becomes a must. Fans not used to the losing need to understand what it takes to compete at the next level. He has preached that it’s not going to happen overnight.

Personnel-wise, Taggart said, WKU isn’t quite there yet. The Hilltoppers at least have some experience returning for 2010 after playing a number of youngsters a year ago.

Their first assignment is a dandy, but Western Kentucky started last season by playing in front of 98,761 at Tennessee.

“More than anything we’re trying to be mentally tough and build our confidence back,” Taggart said. “You lose so many games, it starts to create bad habits and negative ways. We’ve got to change our ways, and get back to being positive and how we feel about ourselves as football players.”

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

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