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Breaking news: Hunt fired, Reaves leaving for UT
Joseph Person(Updated: 7:35 p.m.)
South Carolina is losing two offensive coaches, although only one is leaving by his own choice.
Steve Spurrier has fired much-maligned offensive line coach John Hunt, the university confirmed Sunday evening. Also, recruiting coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach David Reaves told The State he is on his way to Tennessee.
Hunt has been under heavy criticism again this year as the Gamecocks struggled to protect their quarterbacks and run the ball. The 46-year-old Hunt coached with Steve Spurrier at Florida and with the Washington Redskins before joining Spurrier’s inaugural USC staff four years ago.
"We appreciate the job John Hunt has done here at Carolina for the past four seasons," Spurrier said in a release. "But we felt like we needed to make a change in that area. He's a good person and we wish him the best."
"I don't agree with the decision, but I respect Coach Spurrier's decision," Hunt said. "I appreciate the opportunity he gave me. I enjoyed my time in South Carolina and wish the Gamecocks the best in the future."
Reaves is joining his brother-in-law, Lane Kiffin, Tennessee’s new head coach, as the Volunteers’ quarterbacks coach. Reaves interviewed with Kiffin two years ago with the Oakland Raiders, but decided to stay at USC.
Reaves, 29, a Columbia native who played quarterback at Spring Valley, spent seven years at USC under Lou Holtz and Spurrier.
Reaves said the opportunity in Knoxville was too good to pass up.
“This is a good place. I love Columbia. It’s my home. I spent seven years here,” Reaves said Sunday as he drove to Knoxville, where Kiffin is expected to be introduced Monday. “Just the opportunity to be with my family and coach the quarterbacks, I just couldn’t turn it down. Hopefully one day I’ll have the opportunity to be back in Columbia coaching again.”
Reaves helped land a consensus top-10 recruiting class in 2006 that was the highest rated in school history. The Gamecocks added a top-25 class last year and have received commitments from nearly 20 players for the ’09 class.
Cornerbacks coach Shane Beamer will succeed Reaves as the Gamecocks’ recruiting coordinator, a position Beamer held at Mississippi State.