South Carolina football: new strength and conditioning staff in place

South Carolina football has settled on a new strength coach.

Luke Day has been hired as the Gamecocks’ new strength and conditioning coach, the university reported on Sunday. Day takes the place of Paul Jackson, who was not retained from the previous staff.

Day ran the strength program at Marshall in 2020, and has experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. He’s been with the Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints, as well as having stints with the University of Cincinnati, Central Florida, South Florida, Colorado, in addition to the Thundering Herd.

See what South Carolina’s new head coach had to say about the hire.

"“Luke comes highly recommended from people I trust. I spoke to a lot of strength coaches about our position and after spending 90 minutes on the phone with him, there was no doubt in my mind he was the best candidate by far. He has a great vision for developing the players, both in strength and conditioning and in the mental aspects, which is critical.”"

Though the hire of Day is now official, the Gamecocks may not be done with the strength and sports performance staff.

Former South Carolina lineman Byron Jerideau is reportedly joining the coaching staff, too, after spending the last three seasons with SEC East rival Tennessee. Football Scoop was the first to report the expected hire.

Jerideau will take over as assistant director of sports performance for the Gamecocks, a position similar to the one he held with the Volunteers. Prior to his time in Knoxville, the former defensive lineman made stops at Appalachian State and Houston. He also served in a role on the South Carolina staff in 2016-2017.

Jerideau was on the Gamecocks’ defense from 2010-2012, playing under then-head coach Steve Spurrier. Shane Beamer was on the South Carolina staff from 2007-2010.