In a matter of a few months, South Carolina has cleared out its offensive staff, moving on from offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, offensive coordinator Mike Shula, running backs coach Marquel Blackwell. That kind of turnover doesn't signal patience, it signals urgency. With South Carolina and TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles nearing a deal, his longtime collaborator Jimmy Smith is also emerging as a potential part of the package. If the Gamecocks land Briles, and add Jimmy Smith to the mix, South Carolina could reimagine its offensive identity for 2026.
The Briles Blueprint
In his two seasons at TCU, Briles has overseen one of the nation’s most efficient offenses. In 2024, the Horned Frogs ranked eighth nationally in passing offense with 312.9 yards per game, third in fourth-down conversions, and 13th in red-zone efficiency. Quarterback Josh Hoover set a TCU single-season record last year with 3,949 passing yards under Briles’ direction. In 2025, that number was 3,472.
That level of production follows a familiar pattern. With stops at Arkansas, Florida State, Houston, FAU, and Baylor all showing measurable year-over-year improvement, the offensive balance and explosive output is there.
At Arkansas in 2022, Briles’ offense ranked seventh nationally in rushing and 15th in total offense, becoming one of just three FBS teams to average more than 230 yards per game both on the ground and through the air.
That kind of balance matters in the SEC. And it's where Jimmy Smith enters the picture.
Why Smith Matters
If Briles is the architect, Jimmy Smith is the engineer.
Jimmy Smith currently serves as the running backs coach at TCU Horned Frogs, having joined the team in March 2024. Before that, Smith coached the RBs at Arkansas for four seasons, including working directly under Briles from 2020 to 2022.
In 2022, with Briles calling plays and Smith coaching backs:
- Arkansas rushed for 3,077 yards
- Averaged 236.7 yards per game (7th nationally)
- Logged the 8th-most rushing yards in school history
The year before, in 2021, the Razorbacks:
- Led the Power 5 in rushing
- Ranked second nationally with 227.8 yards per game
- Produced 113 runs of 10+ yards
Smith's track record, from high school state championships to producing productive rushing attacks in college, suggests that he could be a valuable piece in a new-look Gamecock offense. He is a developmental coach, and it shows. Before his career in college football, Smith spent 12 years at Cedar Grove High School in the Metro Atlanta area, leading the program to:
- A 67-14-1 record
- Two state championships
- First two state titles in school history
- Multiple state final appearances
Also, did we mention that Smith is a Darlington, SC native? That little detail will not be lost on high school coaches and in-state recruiting. Oh, and he helped develop Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders at Arkansas, as well.
Bringing Smith to Columbia alongside Briles would mark a clear commitment to a ground-and-air hybrid offensive approach, one that values a strong rushing attack and high-octane passing game.
Bottom Line
If Shane Beamer finalizes the hire of Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator, and brings along Jimmy Smith, South Carolina could be on the brink of a major offensive transformation. Briles brings a proven track record of building explosive, balanced offenses at TCU, Arkansas, Baylor, and beyond, while Smith’s expertise with the running game and player development makes him the perfect complement. Together, they have the potential to revitalize a Gamecocks offense that has desperately struggled to find its footing.
Next, we’ll break down exactly how a Briles‑Smith led offense could compare to Mike Shula’s 2025 unit, highlighting the statistical differences, scheme adjustments, and what fans can realistically expect for the 2026 season.