What Will Muschamp said about South Carolina’s search for a new assistant coach
With Coleman Hutzler moving on to Texas, South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp has yet another staffing decision to make.
Hutzler’s departure, made official this Tuesday, means the Gamecocks are losing a coach who oversaw both special teams and linebackers. Muschamp said Wednesday, however, that he learned about the move last week and has already interviewed several candidates to join USC’s coaching staff.
“We’re gonna make the best hire for the University of South Carolina. Appreciate Coleman and his contributions here,” Muschamp said. “That phone call came last week, so that’s something I’ve been working on and talked to several people over the weekend, a couple guys yesterday and another guy today. So we’ll make the best decision for South Carolina.”
Muschamp also confirmed that former assistant Kyle Krantz, who was moved into an off-field role earlier this offseason to make room for new tight ends coach Joe Cox, is “certainly” a candidate to return to an on-field role.
Despite another recruiting period coming up shortly before national signing day, when South Carolina hopes to secure several vital signatures in the class of 2020, Muschamp said he will not rush to fill Hutzler’s role.
“Whenever we can make the best decision for South Carolina is when we will, whether it’s tomorrow or two weeks from now,” he said.
Hutzler is the second on-field coach and fourth key figure in the program to not return this offseason — quarterbacks coach Dan Werner and strength and conditioning coach Jeff Dillman were let go, and director of player development Marcus Lattimore left to pursue his education.
Muschamp has also moved former offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon back to wide receivers coach, replaced him with Mike Bobo, hired tight ends coach Joe Cox and strength coach Paul Jackson, and moved Bobby Bentley to help Bobo in the quarterbacks room.
Hutzler is leaving to coach linebackers and be the co-defensive coordinator under Tom Herman at Texas, the Longhorns announced Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m so excited to join the program and work with Coach Herman and Coach [Chris] Ash and the entire staff,” Hutzler said via a statement from Texas. “Obviously the brand and program that is Texas Football is second to none, and I’m ready to get started. I have a ton of respect for Coach Herman and all the great things he’s done. He’s done a tremendous job everywhere he’s been, we know a lot of the same people and just to have this opportunity to come and work for him is exciting.”
South Carolina’s on-field coaching staff
Will Muschamp - Head coach
Mike Bobo - Offensive coordinator
Travaris Robinson - Defensive coordinator/secondary coach
Bobby Bentley - QB coach
Thomas Brown - Running backs coach
Bryan McClendon - Wide receivers coach
Eric Wolford - Offensive line coach
Joe Cox - Tight ends coach
John Scott Jr. - Defensive line coach
Mike Peterson - Bucks/outside linebackers coach
TBD - Special teams/inside linebackers coach
This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 12:08 PM.
