CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Citadel’s former head football coach Charlie Taaffe has died at age 69.
In a post on Facebook, Taaffe’s sister said he passed away after a short battle with widespread cancer.
Taaffee served as head football coach for the Citadel between 1987 and 1996 and was arguably the best in the military college’s history.
During his time with the Bulldogs, Taffee compiled a record of 55-47-1 and led the Bulldogs to five winning seasons and three trips to the playoffs.
“I think Coach Taaffe is the standard around here,” said current head football coach Brent Thompson. “He had quite the career record here and he found a way to sustain a lot of success. He was able to win a championship in a very challenging Southern Conference.”
His most successful season came in 1992 when he led the Bulldogs to an 11-2 record and the Southern Conference championship, according to a press release from the college. The Bulldogs ended the regular season as the No. 1 team in the nation.
Taaffe was chosen as the Eddie Robinson Award recipient, honoring the top football coach at the FCS level.
“It is a sad, sad day for The Citadel family,” said current head baseball coach Tony Skole who was part of Coach Taaffe’s first recruiting class at The Citadel. “There are many of us walking around today with just an awful feeling in our stomachs and a pain in our hearts. Coach Taaffe was an amazing man who made a huge impact on the lives of so many people.”