South Carolina football: Gamecocks head coaching search ramping up?
By Jacob Elsey
South Carolina football’s coaching search is kicking into high gear.
The Gamecocks cut ties with fifth year head coach Will Muschamp less than two weeks ago, following a third consecutive loss to Ole Miss. In that time, we’ve heard tons of names and possible candidates listed in connection with the new opening.
Louisiana coach Billy Napier, Liberty’s Hugh Freeze, and even Panthers’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady have all arisen as possible replacements for coach Muschamp on the Carolina sidelines. But where do things stand within the South Carolina administration, and what timeline is athletic director Ray Tanner looking at in terms of making the new hire?
The week following Muschamp’s firing was busy in regards to speculation, but the search itself hadn’t seemed to get much further than the list of possible replacements. Now, though, it appears that the head coaching search is ramping up, with a number of candidates receiving face-to-face interviews with South Carolina officials.
A report by Josh Kendall at The Athletic has noted that the Gamecocks have already met one-on-one with Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell, and they plan to do the same with Oklahoma assistant head coach Shane Beamer and Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield.
"“School officials have already met face-to-face with Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell and have in-person interviews scheduled with Oklahoma assistant coach Shane Beamer and Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield, a source with knowledge of the search told The Athletic on Tuesday. Those interviews won’t take place before Thursday.”“South Carolina could meet in person with “six or seven” candidates before the search is complete, but the Gamecocks still expect to have a new coach in place by the time the early signing period starts on Dec. 16. South Carolina officials have spoken on the phone with Army coach Jeff Monken, Louisiana coach Billy Napier and Liberty coach Hugh Freeze, but it’s unclear if any of the three will have an in-person interview…”"
Both Satterfield and Beamer seem to be picking up some steam in the race, with Beamer, in particular, having the backing of a number of former Gamecock players. Beamer has worked in a variety of roles with a number of high profile staffs, including Steve Spurrier’s in Columbia, but has yet to land a head coaching role.
Satterfield has been with Louisville for two seasons, following a very successful stint with Appalachian State. Both have expressed interest in the opening.
The Gamecocks would like to have a new coach in place by mid December as they try to salvage a recruiting class that’s already lost four players since Muschamp’s departure.