Muschamp tabs Wolford as Gamecocks O-line coach

Eric Wolford is coming back to South Carolina. The Gamecocks offensive line coach in 2009, Wolford was hired Monday to fill the job again in 2017 and beyond, South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp announced in a statement released by the school.

“I’m excited to have Eric come back to South Carolina and join our staff,” Muschamp said in the statement. “He has a long history as an excellent offensive line coach and has the added experiences of being a head coach and being in the NFL, both of which make him even more of an asset to our staff moving forward.”

Wolford has been an assistant offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers for the last two years. Before that, he spent 19 seasons as a college coach, including working as the Gamecocks run game coordinator and offensive line coach. South Carolina was last in the SEC in rushing (averaging 121.2 yards per game) in 2009.

“My family and I are excited about our return to the University of South Carolina,” Wolford said in South Carolina’s statement. “It is a privilege to be a part of the Gamecock family again. With such supportive, loyal fans and Coach Muschamp’s guidance, I am confident that this program is moving in an explosive and positive direction. We are honored to be a part of the Gamecock family.”

---- READ MORE: The pieces Eric Wolford has to work with on USC’s offensive line ----

Wolford left South Carolina and became head coach at Youngstown State, where he was 31-26 in four years. During Wolford’s tenure, the Penguins were ranked in the FCS top 10 three times, beat an FBS team for the first time (Pitt 31-17) and beat top-ranked FCS team North Dakota State.

“He’s an excellent coach,” former South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier told The State. “I think he’ll do a super job. He’s got a lot of energy.”

Spurrier hired Wolford in 2009 and then hired Shawn Elliott to replace Wolford when Wolford took the Youngstown State job. Wolford now replaces Elliott, who coached South Carolina’s offensive line for seven seasons before being named head coach at Georgia State in December. South Carolina did not release salary information for Wolford. Elliott was making $500,000 annually at the time of his departure.

“Great hire by South Carolina to bring back Coach Wolford. His fire and intensity will have a great impact!” former South Carolina offensive lineman and current Jacksonville Jaguar A.J. Cann tweeted Monday.

Wolford played for Bill Snyder at Kansas State and then worked as a graduate assistant under Snyder in 1995. He has also coached offensive line at Arizona, North Texas, Houston, South Florida and Emporia State.

This story was originally published January 9, 2017 at 11:01 AM with the headline "Muschamp tabs Wolford as Gamecocks O-line coach."