South Carolina football: Sportsbook releases odds for next head coach

Betting odds for South Carolina football’s next head coach.

South Carolina’s search for a new head coach began this week, following the firing of fifth year leader Will Muschamp. With everyone speculating on who might be the new coach, fans are now able to wager on who will be leading the Gamecocks in 2021.

BetOnline has released odds for the next head coach in Columbia.

Let’s look at each candidate and their chances of leading the South Carolina football program.

Billy Napier +300

Napier is the current HC at Louisiana, where he has the Ragin’ Cajuns sitting at 6-1 including a road win over Iowa State. He’s a young offensive minded coach and has strong ties to the state of South Carolina.

Hugh Freeze +400

Freeze has Liberty sitting at 8-0 and ranked No. 21 in the nation. In two short years, he’s rejuvenated the Flames, and that after seeing success at Ole Miss. He has baggage, but he’s also the biggest name on the market.

Shane Beamer +500

Beamer has no head coaching experience but he’s been on staff with some of the sport’s most legendary coaches, including Steve Spurrier in Columbia. He’d need to hire great assistants, but could lead a program with a CEO type mindset.

Jamey Chadwell +600

Chadwell is young, at just 42 years old. He’s in his second season with Coastal Carolina, where he has the Chanticleers undefeated and ranked No. 15 in the country. He hasn’t been with larger programs, but South Carolina could be a dream job of sorts.

Luke Fickell +700

Fickell has had a ton of success at Cincinnati, but he may be waiting for a job in the Big Ten as opposed to the SEC.

Tony Elliott +750

Elliott has been Dabo Swinney’s right hand man since 2015 when he took over play calling duties for the Tigers’ offense. He’s an offensive minded coach but his loyalties may lie with the Gamecocks’ rivals.

Scott Satterfield +800

Satterfield was a hot commodity just a few short seasons ago. That shine has worn off at Louisville, where his Cardinals are currently just 2-6.

Bill O’Brien +900

O’Brien was fired this season by the Houston Texans, but his time at the college ranks is what intrigues the Gamecocks. He led Penn State to 15 wins in two seasons following the fallout of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Steve Sarkisian +1000

Sarkisian is a hot name amongst coordinators, but he may opt to stay in Tuscaloosa a bit longer. Last year he turned down an interview from Colorado to stay with the Crimson Tide.

Brent Venables +1000

Venables, like Tony Elliott, may be too loyal to Dabo Swinney to jump ship and sail to Columbia. And it’s unlikely that the Gamecocks will go the route of a defensive coordinator given Muschamp’s failed stint with the program.

Will Healy +1000

Healy is only 35 years old, has ties to the area, and has jumpstarted a Charlotte program that’s in just its eighth season. Last season, he led the 49ers to a 7-6 record, winning his final five regular season games. This season, the 49ers are 2-3.

Joe Brady +1200

Brady is a big name after helping LSU win a national title and seeing quarterback Joe Burrow win the Heisman under his tutelage. Now, he’s calling plays for the Carolina Panthers. It’s not known if he would return to the college ranks, and even if he did, it might not be for long.

Jeff Monken +1200

Monken has been mentioned due to his connection with South Carolina presidnet Bob Caslen. Both have ties to Army, with Monken being the current head coach and Caslen being a former football player and alum. Monken has turned around the Army program but he likely won’t get as hard of a look as other candidates.