GoGamecocks.com
Two names are in the running
Ex-Vols tailback and ex-Clemson G.A. are candidates to lead ground game
CommentsA former Tennessee tailback and a veteran assistant with Clemson connections are the leading candidates to coach South Carolina’s running backs.
Miami of Ohio assistant Jay Graham, the sixth-leading rusher in Tennessee history, and ex-Georgia Tech and Memphis assistant Johnson “Jeep” Hunter have spoken with Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier about the position, a source said Friday.
Spurrier is looking for a replacement for Robert Gillespie, who left this week to take the same post at Oklahoma State.
Graham, who rushed for 2,609 yards for the Volunteers from 1993-96, was the lone Miami assistant retained by new coach Mike Haywood. The 33-year-old Graham coached the RedHawks’ running backs the past two seasons following short stints at Tennessee-Martin, the University of San Diego and Chattanooga.
Graham, a USA Today All-American at Concord (N.C.) High in 1992, had a six-year NFL career before returning to Tennessee in 2005 as a graduate assistant.
Hunter, 41, a native of Denver, N.C., was Georgia Tech’s tight ends coach for two years until Chan Gailey was fired following the 2007 season. Hunter was out of coaching this past year.
Prior to Georgia Tech, Hunter was the running backs coach for three seasons at Memphis, where he worked with Carolina Panthers tailback D’Angelo Williams, the nation’s leading rusher in 2005.
Hunter played at Catawba before sustaining a career-ending knee injury. Hunter was at Clemson from 1996-98 as a graduate assistant and administrator under Tommy West, with whom he worked at Memphis.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
Most Viewed Stories
- USC fends off Bulls' charge
- Last-second goal ends USC's soccer season
- USC wary of Spiller on kickoffs
- Miami coach had brief USC tie
- Norwood among final five on Butkus list
- Emerson: Hold off on wait and see coaches
- Barnes Has Good Visit With USC
- Lattimore Sticking With Visit Plans
- USC holds off La Salle
- Big Tackle To Check Out USC
@Nyx.CommentBody@