Will Muschamp to South Carolina

[jbcarol]

Chris Low ‏@ClowESPN 10h10 hours ago Connecticut, USA

South Carolina interviewed Shawn Elliott today. Lincoln Riley and Will Muschamp also on the interview list.

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc 6h6 hours ago South Carolina, USA

Shawn Elliott says his interview with Ray Tanner went very well. He and Tanner shared ideas. He felt good leaving.

Ellis Johnson told us that he won't comment on the specific candidates at USC b/c he's talked to some of them, thinks Tanner is doing well.

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman ‏@BruceFeldmanCFB 9h9 hours ago

RichRod has won Pac12 South & beaten 4 Top10 teams in the past 4 years. He's now in the mix for #SouthCarolina: http://foxs.pt/1O65fUR

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc 44m44 minutes ago

SportsTalk Retweeted William Gunter

There are more metrics that you can point to that would indicate success than failure for Muschamp IMO.

The fact he's had a top 15 defense every year he's coached in the SEC is one thing.

Ray Tanner isn't a gambler. He is going to hire the guy he feels is best suited to run a program at USC.

[jbcarol]

Josh Kendall
‏@JoshatTheState

Will Muschamp pulling out all stops to close Gamecocks deal now by offering Marcus Lattimore a job. http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article47963460.html ...

[jbcarol]

John Talty Verified account
‏@JTalty

Jimmy Sexton in the house for Alabama's practice at the Georgia Dome.
1:23 PM - 4 Dec 2015


James Crepea ‏@JamesCrepea 4m4 minutes ago

James Crepea Retweeted John Talty

How long until Ray Tanner calls?



Brandon Marcello Verified account
‏@bmarcello

Sources: Will Muschamp has NOT resigned at Auburn. Situation can change, of course, but as of this minute he has NOT resigned.

1:18 PM - 4 Dec 2015

[jbcarol]

Dan Wolken ‏@DanWolken 3m3 minutes ago

Just realized if Muschamp actually happens at USCe, he and Frank Martin will be in same athletic dept. That's a lot of rage under one roof.

[jbcarol]

Josh Kendall ‏@JoshatTheState 16h16 hours ago

Another name (very intriguing one) in the South Carolina coaching search. http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article48045520.html ...

In his first job as a head coach, Taggart improved Western Kentucky from a 2-10 season his first year in 2010. By year three, the Hilltoppers posted a 7-5 record and made a bowl appearance, just a few years after making the transition to FBS football.

In 2013, Taggaert went to USF, following the firing of Skip Holtz, son of former South Carolina coach Lou Holtz. Taggart has improved the Bulls from 2-10 in his first season to 8-4 in 2015.

Pete Thamel Verified account
‏@SIPeteThamel

Source: South Florida coach Willie Taggart interviewing today at South Carolina. (Along with RichRod and Schiano).

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman ‏@BruceFeldmanCFB 1h1 hour ago

AM RT: After a busy couple of days of interviews in NoCarolina, #Gamecocks hope to have their new coach this wkend: http://foxs.pt/1XJ2DXk

Narrowing it down:

Among the coaches South Carolina interviewed earlier in the week were former interim coach Shawn Elliott, former Florida coach Will Muschamp and Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley. As FOX Sports first reported Thursday afternoon, Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez also has emerged as a candidate and interviewed for the job. Rodriguez, USF head coach Willie Taggart and former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano all interviewed on Friday in North Carolina, where the meetings took place. Cal's Sonny Dykes also is considered a candidate for the job.

[jbcarol]

Rich Rodriguez ‏@CoachRodAZ 9h9 hours ago

Happy and honored to be an Arizona Wildcat!!  Bear Down!!

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/673407095363018752

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC  9m9 minutes ago
Report: Will Muschamp has two coaches in mind for staff at South Carolina http://trib.al/s9UVxkj

South Carolina is reportedly set to hire Will Muschamp as its next coach, and the soon-to-be Gamecocks coach is wasting no time assembling his staff.

Muschamp is "strongly considering" Kurt Roper and Travaris Robinson for prominent positions on his staff, according to Football Scoop's Zach Barnett.

Roper, a senior offensive assistant on the Cleveland Browns, was Florida's offensive coordinator in 2014 under Muschamp. He previously had coaching stints at Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky and Duke, and boasts 13 years of SEC coaching experience.

Robinson, Auburn's defensive backs coach, was also on Muschamp's coaching staff during his time with the Gators. Robinson has also coached at Western Kentucky, Southern Miss and Texas Tech.

Marcus Lattimore also

[JaketheSnake]

Hahahahahahahahahahahababahahahababahahahahahahahahah

[NaturalStateReb]

This hire truly baffles me. 

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman ‏@BruceFeldmanCFB 27m27 minutes ago

#Browns staffer/Cutcliffe protege  Kurt Roper expected to become #SouthCarolina's new OC & play-caller, source confirms to @FoxSports.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 3h3 hours ago

Travaris Robinson, Bobby Bentley officially named to South Carolina staff http://trib.al/lHY00v1

After endless speculation, Travaris Robinson has officially been named South Carolina's defensive coordinator.

The hire was made abundantly clear when Robinson tweeted out he's "excited to be a Gamecock" this morning and changed his Twitter bio to read "defensive coordinator at The University of South Carolina."

Robinson, an Auburn alum, was most recently the defensive backs coach for the Tigers under Will Muschamp.

Robinson also held the same position (DBs coach) on Muschamp's coaching staff at Florida from 2011-14.

Previously, Robinson has helped mentor the likes of All-SEC defensive backs Vernon Hargreaves III...

Bentley was an offensive analyst at Auburn the past two seasons. He is also the father of Jake Bentley, the No. 5 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2017.

Bentley is apparently the new running backs coach.

[jbcarol]

Brandon Marcello ‏@bmarcello  2h2 hours ago
Ellis Johnson wanted to coach again, but he didn't want to leave family in South Carolina. He got his wish today: http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2015/12/former_auburn_defensive_coordinator_ellis_johnson_will_muschamp_south_carolina.html ...

Auburn could save a few hundred grand w/ Ellis Johnson headed to Carolina. Auburn still owed him nearly $1 million

[jbcarol]

 Stewart Mandel ‏@slmandel 13h13 hours ago

Maibag: The skepticism over Clemson, South Carolina's bizarre coaching search and ticked off Utah emailers. http://foxs.pt/1NMDH6n

Q: I was blown away to see that South Carolina not only hired Will Muschamp as its new head coach but is also committing five years and $16 million to him. Did that school not notice what happened at Florida this year compared with the past few years before that? I know there are a lot of openings out there, but are there really so few choices that this is where the Gamecocks turn?

It's the worst head-coaching hire by a power-conference program since Kansas hired Charlie Weis four years ago.

Muschamp is a good guy, but he's somehow managed to convince the entire industry he's some coaching savant. Mack Brown once anointed him Texas' head coach in waiting. Florida AD Jeremy Foley agonized over firing him well past the point that it became inevitable. Auburn's Gus Malzahn moved mountains to land him the minute he became available. And now, South Carolina AD Ray Tanner — the Gamecocks' former baseball coach — is convinced that Muschamp is the best man for the job. This despite him flaming out in spectacular fashion at another program in the Gamecocks' own division. Heck, he even lost three of his four games against South Carolina.

[jbcarol]

Corey Miller
‏@pastorofpain

It's official @ShawnElliottUSC will be retained by Will Muschamp .

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc Dec 15

Special teams coordinator hired http://southcarolina.247sports.com/Bolt/Special-teams-coordinator-hired-42054475 ... via @247Sports

According to sources, South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp has made another addition to his staff in Boston College special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler. It is believed Hutzler will also handle special teams and coach inside linebackers in Columbia. Hutzler was with Muschamp at Florida previously

Can always claim he succeeded the Ball Coach.

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc 22h22 hours ago

SportsTalk Retweeted Bobby Bentley

This sure looks like Lattimore is going to have a role on @CoachWMuschamp's staff.


https://twitter.com/bobbybentley/status/677319640805167105

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman ‏@BruceFeldmanCFB 3h3 hours ago

Will Muschamp said 'I'd still be at Florida if I hired Kurt Roper earlier'...I think he's probably right. Staffing's esp critical w new HCs.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 3h3 hours ago

Travaris Robinson, Bobby Bentley officially named to South Carolina staff http://trib.al/lHY00v1

Bentley is apparently the new running backs coach.

https://twitter.com/JakeBentley19/status/677997689305436160

Did see this coming.

[jbcarol]

Josh Kendall ‏@JoshatTheState Dec 18

Will Muschamp adding Clyde Wrenn (director of HS relations) and keeping Robbie Liles (as director of player personnel).

Gamecocks also announce hiring of Coleman Hutzler, 31, from Boston College as ST coordinator and LB coach.

[jbcarol]

ESPN SEC ‏@ESPN_SEC Dec 18

Will Muschamp can shine with second act at South Carolina http://es.pn/1RtD1tm

The snarls and deeply flushed cheeks.

The powerfully popping veins and sweat-soaked swooped hair partially stuck to his forehead.

These many images of Will Muschamp have some South Carolina fans fearful of their new head coach. Truth be told, these scenes failed Muschamp at Florida, but with a year to recharge his head-coaching batteries and learn from his prior mistakes, Muschamp could be that coach most are overlooking.

[jbcarol]

 Tim Horton ‏@CoachTimHorton 1h1 hour ago

Congratulations to friend & former @AuburnTigers quarterback Pat Washington on joining @GamecockFB staff! 23 years in the #SEC! Wow!

[jbcarol]

GoGamecocks.com
‏@gogamecocks

Bryan McClendon named South Carolina's co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach; Pat Washington named tight ends coach.

Chris Low
‏@ClowESPN

Chris Low Retweeted GoGamecocks.com

Two guys with loads of SEC experience. Gamecocks also talking to former Mizzou DL coach Craig Kuligowski

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc 15h15 hours ago

Ray Tanner tells us tonight the coordinators on football staff will have multi year contracts, all others will have one year deals.

Tanner said Muschamp wants to have his full staff in place by January 4th or 5th.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 56m56 minutes ago

Report: South Carolina could nab Auburn's interim DC http://sec.news/1OuBZa3

Auburn interim defensive coordinator Lance Thompson has "a real possibility" to land on Will Muschamp's staff at South Carolina, according to FootballScoop.

Thompson replaced Muschamp as Auburn's defensive coordinator after Muschamp was named the Gamecocks' coach.

[jbcarol]

Tom Green ‏@AUBlog  59m59 minutes ago
Lance Thompson leaves Auburn to join Will Muschamp's staff at South Carolina http://www.oanow.com/sports/college/auburn/football/lance-thompson-leaves-auburn-to-join-will-muschamp-s-staff/article_5f0a3b3c-b00a-11e5-a42a-ff8450d886a0.html ...

[jbcarol]

Brandon Marcello ‏@bmarcello  1h1 hour ago
Four Auburn staff members from this season are now at Auburn East, err, South Carolina. http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2015/12/lance_thompson_leaving_auburn.html ...

Thompson was hired in January by Auburn, but he did not sign a contract until Dec. 2, according to paperwork obtained by AL.com in an open records this week. His deal worth $450,000 per year was set to expire in January 2017.

Thompson does not owe Auburn a buyout, according to the contract.

Four Auburn staff members during the 2015 season have since moved on to South Carolina: Muschamp, Thompson, secondary coach Travaris Robinson and offensive analyst Bobby Bentley. Robinson will serve as Muschamp's defensive coordinator and Bentley will coach running backs.

[jbcarol]

Josh Kendall ‏@JoshatTheState 31 Dec 2015

Will Muschamp has added another assistant coach (and another top-notch recruiter) to his staff. http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article52523675.html ...

Auburn linebackers coach Lance Thompson will join Will Muschamp's coaching staff at South Carolina, as assistant head coach for defense and defensive line coach.

Thompson, a graduate of The Citadel, tweeted, "A new day!!!! ... #Go Gamecocks" shortly after 4 p.m., and the school announced it soon after.

That came just before Muschamp tweeted "Spurs Up," which has become his signature when the Gamecocks receive a verbal commitment or hire a new coach.

"I'm excited to have Coach Thompson join our staff," Muschamp said in a statement. "He did a great job calling the Auburn defense in their bowl win over Memphis. He has coached multiple positions throughout his career and has a great understanding of our defensive system. He will be an outstanding addition to our staff."

Thompson was ranked the No. 1 recruiter in the nation on the Ultimate ESPN 300 recruiting power rankings in 2014 (maybe ever), when he was coaching at Alabama. He was named Rivals National Recruiter of the Year in 2008.

Thompson's hiring leaves Muschamp with just one position to fill.

[jbcarol]

Muschamp introduces South Carolina assistants

Kurt Roper on QB philosophy: "You can't sacrifice ability to throw the football. We want best passer we can find who can move his feet"

South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp introduces his assistant coaches: Bobby Bentley, Shawn Elliott, Lance Thompson, Pat Washington, Coleman Hutzler, Travaris Robinson, Kurt Roper and Bryan McClendon.

(slide show at link above)

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter ‏@Dave_Matter 55m55 minutes ago

Will Muschamp will speak to the crowd at halftime of Mizzou-South Carolina hoops and introduce his staff

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter ‏@Dave_Matter 55m55 minutes ago

Will Muschamp will speak to the crowd at halftime of Mizzou-South Carolina hoops and introduce his staff

Muschamp introduced his coaching staff, thanked the South Carolina fan base and left those in attendance with one message: there's a lot to look forward to. (video available link)

"We've got a lot of work in front of us," Muschamp said. "We have 228 days until we kickoff in Nashville. We have 244 days until we kick it off at Williams-Brice (Stadium) in front of the best fans in the country. But I can only guarantee one thing: we're not going to get outworked.

"Spurs up," Muschamp said as he walked away.

During the halftime speech, Muschamp introduced the fans to the entire South Carolina coaching staff.

That includes co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach Bryan McClendon, defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson, tight ends coach Pat Washington, strength coach Jeff Dillman, special team coordinator Coleman Hutzler, running backs coach Bobby Bentley, offensive line coach Shawn Elliott, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper, and assistant head coach of defense and defensive line coach Lance Thompson.

[jbcarol]

Chalk up graduate assistant Blake Gideon as the fifth Auburn staff member to leave the program and join South Carolina coach Will Muschamp in Columbia, S.C.

The defensive graduate assistant announced on Twitter he would be leaving Auburn to join the Gamecocks on Friday. Gideon has coached with Muschamp since 2014, joining him at Florida before following Muschamp to Auburn last season.

[jbcarol]

Pat Dooley ‏@pat_dooley 14h14 hours ago

I hate to see him leave UF and Gainesville but South Carolina has hired Mike Peterson to fill Will Muschamp's last coaching vacancy.

GoGamecocks.com ‏@gogamecocks 13h13 hours ago

Will Muschamp completes first South Carolina coaching staff with Mike Peterson http://bit.ly/1PypZLs  #thestate #gg

Former University of Florida and NFL linebacker Mike Peterson will complete Will Muschamp's coaching staff at South Carolina.

Peterson will become the Gamecocks' ninth on-field assistant, according to the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun, and is expected to be named inside linebackers coach. The news of Peterson's hiring broke late Monday, and there was no confirmation from South Carolina.

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc 20h20 hours ago

SportsTalk Retweeted adarius zabri lemons

#STRecruiting:  Marcus Lattimore lending a recruiting hand to USC.


adarius zabri lemons
‏@adariuslemons

Great talk with @MarcusLattimore 🏈💯


'17 4-star RB from Clearwater

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/695019143741992961

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 1h1 hour ago

Will Muschamp gives early enrollees their own signing day http://sec.news/20bTORH

First-year South Carolina coach Will Muschamp set up a private signing day event for the Gamecocks' six early enrollees...

Muschamp had cameras and TVs scattered across the South Carolina press room, helmets on a South Carolina-themed table and both members of the media and the families of the early enrollees in attendance.

Four-star dual-threat quarterback Brandon McIlwain, four-star wide receiver Bryan Edwards, three-star defensive end Keir Thomas, three-star defensive tackle Kobe Smith, three-star running back C.J. Freeman and three-star cornerback Chris Smith enrolled early at South Carolina this year.

Muschamp also announced that two-sport star McIlwain (baseball) will be 100% football at SC.

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc 18h18 hours ago

Former USC coach Lou Holtz returns to USC next month to speak at Will Muschamp's high school clinic.  Falcons coach Dan Quinn also speaking.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC  29m29 minutes ago
South Carolina's loss to The Citadel reportedly cost the team Tom Herman http://sec.news/20xMe49

South Carolina was so close to an agreement with Houston's Tom Herman to make him the Gamecocks' new coach that the university shut down its search process, but lost him with the team's November defeat to The Citadel, according to USA Today's Dan Wolken

"Herman's mind changed after South Carolina lost to The Citadel on Nov. 21 and it became clear the next coach would have a massive rebuilding job on his hands," Wolken wrote on Sunday. "Herman decided to stay at Houston for a deal worth nearly $3 million per year and, presumably, wait for a more high-profile situation."

South Carolina eventually hired Will Muschamp in December, but he was far down on the list of candidates for the university, according to Wolken.

"South Carolina, meanwhile, turned next to Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who instead went to Georgia," Wolken added, "and talked extensively with Arizona's Rich Rodriguez, who turned down an offer he did not view as legitimate, according to people familiar with the process."

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc 12h12 hours ago

Will Muschamp didn't make it at Florida, can he turn South Carolina around? http://usat.ly/1XrTz5d  via @usatoday

One of these days, if Will Muschamp can turn South Carolina around and start winning big games the way it did just a few years ago, the question is going to be as predictable as a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1.

Even now, a little more than two months into his second act as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference, it follows him to every news conference, every booster event, every interaction with someone who brings up his firing at Florida following the 2014 season.

"I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has asked me what I've learned," Muschamp said last week from his office overlooking the north end zone at Williams-Brice Stadium. "What did I learn? You need to score more points. It's real simple. We're not splitting the atom."

Which brings us to the central issue of the SEC's most-criticized offseason coaching hire, which will prove whether Muschamp was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time when his Florida tenure soured or whether South Carolina has tied itself to a coach whose reputation as a defensive genius simply does not translate to the lead chair.

Maybe somewhere in between.

[jbcarol]

South Carolina finally reveals contract info for assistant football coaches

FOIA: South Carolina's Board of Trustees revealed the contract details of Will Muschamp's nine assistant coaches for the 2016 season.

Defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson reportedly received the largest contract, worth $750,000, followed by offensive coordinator Kurt Roper's $700,000 deal. Both coordinators were signed for two seasons, while everyone else inked one-year pacts.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/ESPN_SEC/status/748547036895535105

Will Muschamp face a gut check right out of the gate, as three of his first four games as the Gamecocks' coach will come away from Williams-Brice Stadium?

Trap game: The Kentucky game has been a thriller in each of the last three seasons, and it comes at the end of a challenging first month for Muschamp's team. Mark Stoops' Wildcats have defeated the Gamecocks in each of the last two seasons and will also enter the fall with hopes of returning to bowl play. South Carolina missed the postseason in 2015, ending a seven-year run of bowl appearances. Kentucky has not played in a bowl since 2010...

The bigger challenge for Muschamp and his staff is restocking a roster whose quality slipped in the latter years of Steve Spurrier's tenure. That will take some time. The schedule Muschamp will face in his first season is not terribly daunting. If the Gamecocks make it through a road-heavy September relatively unscathed, they can look forward to having six of their next seven games at home. The first three nonconference games are winnable, although the regular-season finale at rival Clemson is a probable loss.

[jbcarol]

Adam Sparks ‏@AdamSparks 5m5 minutes ago

"There's only one Steve Spurrier in life, and I'm not it." - Will Muschamp