Coach Willie Taggart Launches Bold Initiative to Empower Palmetto Youth Through School Partnership
PALMETTO – Football coach and hometown hero Willie Taggart has returned to Manatee County with a powerful new mission: to invest in the future of Palmetto youth. On Tuesday, the School District of Manatee County announced a collaboration with the Taggart Family Foundation, aiming to provide expanded educational and enrichment opportunities for students at Lincoln Memorial Middle School.
Taggart, currently the assistant head coach and running backs coach for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, unveiled the first phase of the initiative during a special event held at Lincoln. Backed by community leaders, school officials, and residents—many of whom were students wearing bright camp t-shirts—Taggart shared his plan to "do something meaningful" for his hometown.
The first phase includes before- and after-school programming at Lincoln, offering students academic tutoring, mentorship, STEM and technology education, financial literacy, wellness support, and workforce development. The goal is not only to boost academic outcomes but also to create a safer, more connected environment between the school and the Palmetto community.
Taggart emphasized that this effort is about more than school programs—it’s about creating lasting change. Future plans include the development of a new community center to serve both youth and adults.
A 1994 graduate of Manatee High School and former student at Lincoln Memorial, Taggart’s roots in the area run deep. His impressive coaching résumé includes leadership roles at major collegiate football programs such as Florida State University, the University of Oregon, and the University of South Florida.
The School Board unanimously approved moving forward with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the partnership with the Taggart Family Foundation, with programming expected to begin at Lincoln during the 2025–2026 school year.
District officials praised the initiative as a milestone for Lincoln Memorial Middle School and a hopeful turning point for the Palmetto community. As the foundation’s work begins, the community looks ahead with excitement to a brighter future built through teamwork, mentorship, and investment in youth.
