South Carolina Football: Gamecocks hire new wide receivers coach

South Carolina football fans were taken off-guard last week as new wide receivers coach James Coley left Columbia after about 45 days on the job to join the rival Georgia Bulldogs.

Coley had replaced former assistant coach Justin Stepp after Stepp was shifted to the tight ends role (he has since left the program altogether to coach receivers at Illinois).

Now, according to reports from GamecockCentral’s Wes Mitchell, it appears the Gamecocks have found their next man for the job as Limestone College head coach Mike Furrey has been hired.

Furrey is a former NFL receiver who had a 98-catch campaign back in 2006 as a member of the Detroit Lions. He has been in coaching since his playing days ended, working as a receivers coach at the NFL level (with the Chicago Bears) and the Division-I level (with the Marshall Thundering Herd).

Furrey also has been a head coach at lower levels, spending time at Kentucky Christian and Limestone (twice).

The former pro wideout spent time in both the XFL and the Arena League before his NFL career. He was a receiver, but he spent one productive season playing safety for the St. Louis Rams, as well.

Furrey is considered an excellent motivator and relationship-builder as a coach, two major traits needed for a collegiate assistant. With his experience playing the position, there is reason for optimism about his ability to coach technique and develop players, as well.

Having spent two stints at Limestone (located in Gaffney, South Carolina), Furrey has developed connections around the Palmetto State. Those connections should prove themselves to be valuable when he starts recruiting for the Gamecocks.

Furrey joins Shawn Elliott (tight ends/run game coordinator) as sitting head coaches who have been convinced by Gamecock headman Shane Beamer to join the South Carolina football program this offseason.