South Carolina is reportedly expected to hire TCU's Randy Clements as the offensive line coach for the Gamecocks in hopes to spearhead a crucial reboot of their defensive front in 2026. The announcement comes just days after reports circulated about South Carolina hiring Kendal Briles , also from TCU, as their offensive coordinator. According to GamecockCentral's Wes Mitchell, the Board of Trustees is expected to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday for Approval of Athletics Personnel Contracts. Official announcements of the hires is expected later that day.
Why Randy Clements Makes Sense
Clements has decades of experience in major college football programs. TCU announced him, along with another OL assistant, as a staff addition earlier this year, highlighting his "rough-neck" reputation. Before his time at TCU, Clements held offensive line jobs at some high-profile programs like North Carolina, Ole Miss, Florida State, Houston, Baylor, among others.
Bringing him into the Gamecock program signals that Shane Beamer is trying to reset the team at the most fundamental level. If you can't block, you can't move the ball.
Gamecocks’ 2025 Line Performance Was a Mess
The 2025 season was ugly for South Carolina, especially up front. After 11 games, the team had allowed 22 sacks for 151 sack yards. The program's run-blocking grade was at 51.2, ranking 121st out of 136 FBS teams. The pass-blocking grate sat at 62.7, placing them 89th overall. On the ground, the Gamecocks averaged just 111.1 rushing yards per game, firmly sitting at the bottom nationally.
Those failures contributed to the broader spectrum of offensive collapse. Through the majority of the season, South Carolina ranked dead last in the SEC in total offense, at roughly 302 yards per game.
What Needs to Change and What to Watch
For Clements to succeed, there are several pieces that need to fall into place:
- Buy-in and discipline up front. There cannot be any more drive-killing penalties, no more blown protections. If the freshmen and younger linemen are part of the group, they need to show growth.
- Recruiting and development. South Carolina needs to mesh together an O-line that can handle SEC speed and power. Clement's track record suggests that he can develop borderline talent into functional starters.
- Cohesive offense, not just protection. A rebuilt line helps only if the rest of the offense is aligned. That means everything and everyone, quarterbacks, backs, and the play-calling.
What This Hire Signals for 2026
By bringing in Clements, head coach Shane Beamer seems to be acknowledging that last season's problems weren't just scheme or QB play, but a broken offensive front. If Clements can deliver better protection, improved run game, and fewer sacks, it could unlock a resurgent offense.
For Gamecock fans, these hires are a moment of cautious hope. Because in college football, it's in the trenches where you win or lose.