Ray Tanner’s timeline, early wish list for filling South Carolina’s coaching vacancy
Ray Tanner didn’t come out Monday and say any names, but most knew he wouldn’t.
The South Carolina athletic director has mostly been the buttoned-up sort in that role, not making the most powerful waves. He stands at the start of the biggest decision of his tenure: picking South Carolina’s next football coach. This comes as a result of second- and third-biggest decisions, the choice to hire Muschamp back in 2015 and then to end his tenure Sunday.
The timeline is tight, with the end of the regular season running into, and possibly through, the start of recruiting’s early signing period in mid-December.
When asked what he’s looking for in South Carolina’s next head coach, Tanner quickly turned to the climate of the sport at large.
“It’s important we maybe get an offensive-oriented type situation or maybe a fantastic coordinator to move the needle in that capacity,” Tanner said. “The other things we had, with the passion and dedication. You just want to get the right person. You want guys to have fun. It’s a heck of a lot more fun when you’re winning.”
Muschamp was a defensive coach by trade, a relative rarity in modern coaching hires. His teams had one good offensive year in 2018 and have been decent at times this season.
Tanner said he’s not hired a search firm, though that could happen at some point. He acknowledged that a few third parties have reached out about the position, but said he hasn’t spoken to any coach yet about the job with teams still wrapping up their seasons.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Tanner said.
Despite school President Robert Caslen having some experience with a coaching search at Army, he won’t have an out-sized hand in USC’s process, Tanner said. Caslen played college football for the Black Knights before his long military career.
“I’ll be leading the search,” Tanner said, making the point that it won’t be a one-man search committee — and that there won’t be a formal committee.
Tanner shared these details about the approach and plan about the search for the school’s 35th football coach:
▪ The hope is to have a hire in place by, or preferably before, Dec. 16, the start of the early signing period. “Sooner than later is better. However, it’s important that the proper vetting is done” in the search for a new coach.
▪ There won’t be a premium put on landing a sitting head coach or one with previous head coaching experience. Dating back to Warren Giese in 1956, South Carolina has hired only one person without previous head coaching experience: Brad Scott.
▪ Tanner said the choice to dismiss Muschamp was made Sunday, not before. Caslen was involved. As for the timing with three games left in the season, Tanner said, “Is there ever a great time?”
▪ Tanner said that job in interviews with candidates, things like student-athlete experience and passion for the job will be big things he’ll look for.
▪ Asked directly about Liberty coach Hugh Freeze, Tanner didn’t rule out the oft-controversial candidate. He did note anyone will have to pass muster with the SEC and the NCAA. Freeze ran afoul of the NCAA and was fired in the midst of a scandal involving escort services while at Ole Miss.
▪ Tanner said interim coach Mike Bobo will have a chance at the job.
▪ He also noted the financial issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could impact the size of the buyout the school could pay for a new coach. He said paying off debt taken on during the pandemic will be a multi-year process.
▪ The pandemic will affect the hiring process, to a degree, because of any concerns related to having face-to-face contact. Tanner wasn’t sure how much he could meet in person with candidates. (Those interviews can often take place in airport hotels or other highly functional locations.)
Some names who are expected to be in the mix include Oklahoma assistant Shane Beamer; Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell; Liberty and former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze; and Louisiana coach and former Clemson and Alabama assistant Billy Napier.
The Gamecocks, led by Bobo, will host Missouri on Saturday.
This story was originally published November 16, 2020 at 11:30 AM.
