I didn't think there would be a "major surprise" pick by the Ducks for their new head coach. I thought it would come down to one of the three they had first interviewed -- Schiano, Taggart, and Harsin. I never thought Fleck was in the mix. His resume was too thin to take a big chance on. Now, it may turn out that Taggart doesn't work out, but I don't think it'll be because of a lack of effort or willingness to adapt, take advice and learn from mistakes. 

I've read that Taggart is a stickler for detail. There's an Oregonian column from several years ago highlighting this when he was the running backs coach under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford. It's worth a read; and a contrast from what's been written about Helfrich. Also, he significantly improved two programs - W. Kentucky and S. Florida - and there's never been any personal or professional scandals written about him. Lastly, I think it's no small thing that Taggart becomes the first African American head football coach at Oregon.