Montario Hardesty out as South Carolina running backs coach
More than a month after South Carolina’s football season ended with an unceremonious 5-7 record, head coach Shane Beamer has made a change to his staff.
Montario Hardesty is no longer with the Gamecocks as running backs coach.
TheBigSpur first reported the news Wednesday. Hardesty confirmed his departure to The State and declined further comment.
Hardesty, a former running back for the Cleveland Browns, has been on USC’s staff for Beamer’s three seasons in Columbia. He received a contract extension last January that kept him on contract through De. 31, 2024. He was making $400,000.
It is the first staff change for South Carolina since since defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey left for LSU and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield took on the same role at Nebraska following the 2022 season.
The news of Hardesty’s departure comes just two weeks after South Carolina revamped its running back room.
Following the departure of starting tailback Mario Anderson, who entered the transfer portal and ended up at Memphis, Hardesty had seemingly built an arsenal of weapons.
Highlighted by Arkansas transfer running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, the Gamecocks’ haul also included North Texas transfer Oscar Adaway III, Jawarn Howell from S.C. State and four-star high school signee Matthew Fuller.
When asked during his signing day press conference if he anticipated any changes to his coaching staff, Beamer said, “I’ve had some conversations with some people already and our focus this month has been recruiting.”
Beamer added: “It’s my job as the head coach to always look at everything we’re doing from top to bottom, starting with me. If there are ways to be better, certainly being willing to make those decisions.”
SOUTH CAROLINA ASSISTANT COACHING SALARIES
Clayton White (DC) — $1.2 million
Dowell Loggains (OC) — $1 million
Pete Lembo (ST) — $725,000
Torrian Gray (DBs) — $675,000
Justin Stepp (WRs) — $525,000
Sterling Lucas (DEs/OLBs) — $475,000
Travian Robertson (DL) — $400,000
Lonnie Teasley (OL) — $410,000
Jody Wright (TEs) — $400,000
Running backs TBD — TBD
This story was originally published January 3, 2024 at 1:53 PM.
