Despite a disappointing season, South Carolina’s special teams overhaul seemed to catch the attention of the college football world this season. And in response, associate head coach and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis has officially been nominated for the 30th Broyles Award, honoring college football’s top assistant coaches across the country. This year's nominee pool is the largest in award history, with 63 coaches selected from roughly 1,500 assistants representing all 131 FBS programs. Even in that large of a crowd, DeCamillis stands out. And South Carolina's special teams play in 2025 is a big reason why he was chosen.
It wasn't a rebuild, it was a revival
In only his second season in Columbia, DeCamillis engineered a top-to-bottom rebuild, rolling out new players at every special teams position. And the results have been electric.
- Vicari Swain became one of the most dangerous players in the nation, leading the NCAA in punt return touchdowns (3) and ranking sixth nationally in punt return average. His breakout season also earned him finalist status for the Jet Award.
- Freshman punter Mason Love delivered maturity on the field beyond his years, finishing with the second-best punting average among all freshman punters in the country.
- First-year starter William Joyce brought stability to the kicking game, hitting 12-of-15 field goals and staying perfect on extra points.
That type of protection with a team is the kind of storyline that Broyles voters notice.
What Comes Next
The Broyles Award selection committee, which is made up of Hall of Fame coaches, FWAA member, and legendary broadcasters, will trim the field down to 15 finalists, five semifinalists, and of course one national winner. The winner will be announced at the 30th annual Broyles Award ceremony on Feb. 12, 2026, at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas.