Will Muschamp wants USC’s new ops building, so he’s putting his own money behind it

South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp and his wife, Carol, have given a “leadership gift” to the construction of the new football operations center on the campus of the University of South Carolina, the school announced.

“Carol and I have been so impressed with our fan’s passion and willingness in providing the financial support necessary to help this new facility become a reality,” Will Muschamp said in a statement. “When you’re building a $50 million facility, it takes a team effort. We’ve had donors show tremendous support for this project and while the levels of commitment from one donor to the next may vary, it’s about everyone pitching in and providing support.”

“While I’ve had the opportunity to personally thank many of our donors for their generous support of this project, we felt that wasn’t enough,” continued Coach Muschamp. “Carol and I wanted to do our part to contribute financially to a project that will be a game-changer for Gamecock Football for many years to come.”

“We are proud that Coach Muschamp, Carol, and their family are Gamecocks,” USC athletics director Ray Tanner said. “This generous gift shows their commitment to our program and makes a statement about the importance of our football operations center project.”

The Football Operations Center will be one of the finest in the nation, featuring a sports medicine suite, state-of-the art weight room, team and coaches' locker rooms, team film and meeting rooms, team dining facility, coaches and staff offices, and dedicated recruiting spaces.

“This new facility will enhance the overall experience of our current players, help us attract the best student-athletes to campus and will be beneficial for us as a staff,” Muschamp said. “Right now, our practice situation is phenomenal. The Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Facility is as nice as any in the country and we have two exceptional grass practice fields with plenty of work space outside of that. The new operations facility will be the final piece in putting us on a level comparable to anyone in the country,” noted Muschamp.

The Muschamp’s leadership gift will kick off the 4th Quarter Drive - the push to raise the final $12 million of the $50 million project. In addition to the gift from the Muschamps, the 4th Quarter Drive was recently boosted by several significant gifts, including a $1 million gift in December from former track and field All-America student-athlete Jim Schaper and his wife, Rebecca.

Naming opportunities within the facility including the weight room, coaches' offices, and meeting and conference rooms begin at $25,000.

This story was originally published February 6, 2018 at 11:53 AM with the headline "Will Muschamp wants USC’s new ops building, so he’s putting his own money behind it."