South Carolina football: Is Will Muschamp on the hot seat?
By Jacob Elsey
Will Muschamp will remain with South Carolina football through at least ’22.
REASON 1: COVID pandemic
The year has been interesting for both coaches and athletic department personnel as NCAA sports have been on hiatus since early March. For football coaches, that means the majority of spring and summer practices were cancelled. We weren’t even sure if we’d have football just a few weeks ago, and the 2020 season may still be in jeopardy should teams experience outbreaks after the first couple of games.
The current environment has also caused key players around the country to opt out of the season, and the Gamecocks have not been immune. South Carolina has lost three members of its current roster, as lineman Mark Fox and wideouts OrTre Smith and Randrecous Davis will sit out in 2020. That number ranks second-most in the SEC, just behind LSU (4). Competing with a limited roster could buy Muschamp a little more time, regardless of results.
Lastly, athletic departments are losing money. Postseason basketball was cancelled. Baseball was cancelled, which in the Gamecocks’ case, is a big deal. Football ticket sales are down significantly. Departments are going to lose revenue on concession sales, athletic donations, and merchandise. It may be hard to explain paying Will Muschamp’s $13.2 million buyout while the department continues hemorrhaging money.