The South Carolina football program has had a lot of legends come through Columbia and wear the garnet and black. None of them, though, were quite as versatile as Syvelle Newton.
The quarterback/wide receiver/defensive back started games at three different positions and played four during his college career. His remarkable versatility resulted in him becoming one of just four players ever to tally 600 yards passing, 600 yards receiving, and 600 yards rushing in his career. He also made some big-time plays on defense in a win over the rival Clemson Tigers.
Newton accomplished all of this despite multiple inexplicable benchings and a devastating Achilles injury against Vanderbilt, a game in which he scored touchdowns passing, rushing, and receiving.
Perhaps most impressively for Newton was the fact that he moved back and forth between positions, especially wide receiver and quarterback. He didn't just move to a new spot like so many other players have done. Instead, head coaches Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier repeatedly yanked the talented athlete all around the field, something that is hard to do at any position but is next to impossible for a quarterback.
Even with the injury and all of position-moving, Newton remains a legend in South Carolina football circles for what he was able to accomplish.
Now, Newton will play a role that he even has never played before as he was named on Tuesday as the head coach at Great Falls High School. The former Marlboro County playmaker is starting his first-ever head coaching job, though, he had spent some time as an assistant at Blythewood and Brookland-Cayce. Newton is taking over for one-and-done head coach Brian Kane.
Newton is not the first South Carolina football alum to make coaching news this offseason. Former Gamecock running back standout Duce Staley was named the running backs coach for the Cleveland Browns.