Coaching Staff Changes Highlight The Weekend For Gamecocks Football

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It came and went so quickly over the weekend, but three coaches have moved on from the football coaching staff.

Runnings backs coach Thomas Brown accepted the same position with the Los Angeles Rams.

Defensive line coach John Scott Jr moved into the same position with Penn State.

Wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon has moved on to the same position with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A staff shakeup isn’t really a big shock. However, losing all three at once comes off as a surprise.

I think a lot of fans were surprised when McClendon was retained although demoted back to just wide receivers coach. However, I think people sensed he would move on at some point.

McClendon was the obvious fall guy for the offensive performance last season. Everyone will have their opinion, but there were a lot of things that were out of his control.

He’s always been regarded as a great recruiter, but I’m curious to see him translate to the NFL.

I feel like losing Thomas Brown is a big loss. The running backs took a big step forward last year, even being held back by injuries.

Rico Dowdle played his best football and Brown was instrumental in getting Tavien Feaster to transfer to South Carolina.

He was also a factor in recruiting and replenishing the running backs after losing so many seniors.  I was looking forward to seeing Marshawn Lloyd evolve under Brown’s coaching.

I was surprised when Will Muschamp tabbed John Scott Jr to be his DL coach. However, the defensive front was a definite strength last season, obviously led by Javon Kinlaw.

The line was much better at stopping the run and just brought in even more talent with this recruiting class.

The easiest assumption is these coaches wanted more stability, as there is uncertainty around Will Muschamp as we head into the 2020 season.

Two of them took NFL jobs and Scott received more money at frankly, a better program. I really don’t blame them for wanting to move on to better opportunities.

I don’t see this as a reflection on the state of our football program.

 Now, Muschamp has to fill three important spots on his coaching staff before his team heads into the spring.

The question is hiring coaches who know this may be a one-year type thing if this season goes south.

There’s a ton of youth at running back and plenty of wide receivers that need development. There’s also a lot of talent on the defensive line that needs to be “coached upped”.

I wish all three coaches the best in their new adventures and locations.

South Carolina will have a completely new offensive staff with the exception of offensive line coach Eric Wolford.

Bobby Bentley remains on staff but moved into helping coach the quarterbacks. Muschamp must find assistants that fit what he and Mike Bobo want to do going forward.

Muschamp may decide to promote from within or have some assistants split their duties. I know I speak for everyone when I say we are anxiously awaiting for what Muschamp decides to do next. 

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