Back in black? USC football lining up 2015 uniform options

The post-NFL Draft offseason is filled with free-agent signings, end-of-semester transfers and graduations.

It also includes a fans’ hot-button topic – uniforms.

The first wave of new-look togs for the 2015 season is rolling with major schools such as Colorado, Michigan State and USC’s opening-game opponent North Carolina unveiling tweaks and accoutrements to their gear.

Nike is showcasing many new uniforms and will add Tennessee to its stable on July 1, after the Volunteers’ longtime deal with Adidas expires on June 30.

Some South Carolina fans have clamored for a new look to the Gamecocks’ uniforms, expressing a wish for a new helmet or a special jersey now and then. A chrome helmet with the Block C logo, done as an activity on a slow day last summer, had Twitter assuming that it would be seen in a game in 2014, only to see it revealed as just a concept.

So with Nike starting to show off some of its 2015 looks, will Under Armour follow suit? Maybe show off a tweaked Gamecock uniform?

Don’t bet on it.

“Nah, we got the same ones we had last year,” 16-year head equipment manager Chris Matlock said Monday. “We’re sticking with the same ones.”

It’s no surprise, as coach Steve Spurrier has preferred a traditional approach. The Gamecocks have worn white helmets since he arrived and have mostly gone with three variations of uniforms – garnet on white, white on garnet or all-garnet.

He has agreed to rare exceptions.

USC, seeking a shakeup after losing three of four games, trotted out all-black uniforms (with white helmets) for its game against Tennessee this past year. It took a magic trick to get the uniforms stitched and ready for the game, and they looked sharp clashing against the Volunteers’ orange and white – but USC lost, making it the sixth straight defeat when wearing black jerseys or black pants.

It’s doubtful Spurrier would want to mix it up again. Although to prevent the hurried prep for the Tennessee game, Matlock said the team has ordered a set of blacks for this year, just in case.

USC has one year remaining on its Under Armour contract, which expires on June 30, 2016. The company has first right of refusal if there’s a re-up. Matlock said he couldn’t speak for the other sports, but the football team is happy with its current deal.

Under Armour is paying the Gamecocks a rights fee of $6.2 million over six years, including $1.1 million in the final year of the contract.

As for specialty uniforms, the company has an agreement with USC. It comes up with variations and sends them to the school, and Matlock looks it over before forwarding it to Spurrier. His input is considered and they agree on what they want, and then the school approves it.

In a season where there will be several changes, gameday attire probably won’t be one.

Spurrier summed it up last year when a caller asked if he ever considered a specialty uniform. Mindful of the tremendously successful preceding three seasons, Spurrier quipped, “You like winning or wearing funny uniforms?”

This story was originally published May 4, 2015 at 10:51 PM with the headline "Back in black? USC football lining up 2015 uniform options."