A 3rd member of the South Carolina coaching staff could be poached.
News emerged earlier today surrounding Auburn’s hiring of then-South Carolina offensive staff members Mike Bobo and Will Friend. Bobo had been the offensive coordinator for a season in Columbia, while Friend was hired just a few weeks ago.
Now, it seems the attrition on Shane Beamer’s staff may not be through. Mike Uva of WACH FOX Columbia has reported that current defensive line coach Tracy Rocker is being courted by NFL organizations for a job at the professional level.
Nothing is official yet but according to teams sources “it is likely” that Mike Bobo & now new OL coach Will Friend will leave for Auburn. In addition, those same sources say DL coach Tracy Rucker has been contacted by “a handful of teams,” which includes NFL interest. @wachfox
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) January 7, 2021
Rocker, too, is wrapping up just his first season with the Gamecocks, after coming to Columbia from Tennessee in 2020. Under his tutelage, the South Carolina defensive line recorded an SEC low 14 sacks, but did see JJ Enagbare tally five quarterback takedowns over seven games of action. That number was good for sixth in the conference, and his three forced fumbles led the league.
If Rocker was to bolt for the NFL, it would leave a defensive coaching staff that’s missing its coordinator, secondary, and line coaches. This coming more than a month after Shane Beamer’s hire at South Carolina.
Rocker has been a mainstay in the Southeastern Conference, having coached at Tennessee, Ole Miss, Georgia, Auburn, Arkansas, and now the Gamecocks. He’s also been on a professional staff before, having logged a stint with the Tennessee Titans from 2011-2013.
Rocker is a holdover from Will Muschamp’s staff in Columbia, as was Mike Bobo. Should he decide to leave, it would force Shane Beamer to ramp up the defensive coaching staff search, as he’d have just one member on that side of the ball.
Stay tuned to Garnet and Cocky for further updates within the South Carolina coaching staff.