Sports Illustrated adds another name into South Carolina coaching mix

Veteran Sports Illustrated reporter Pete Thamel put out another name in the ever-growing list of coaches interviewing for the South Carolina opening: South Florida’s Willie Taggart.

In his first job as a head coach, Taggart improved Western Kentucky from a 2-10 season his first year in 2010. By year three, the Hilltoppers posted a 7-5 record and made a bowl appearance, just a few years after making the transition to FBS football.

In 2013, Taggaert went to USF, following the firing of Skip Holtz, son of former South Carolina coach Lou Holtz. Taggart has improved the Bulls from 2-10 in his first season to 8-4 in 2015.

Taggart was on the hot seat after going 6-18 his first two years and starting this season with a 1-3 record, but USF went 7-1 to close the season.

ESPN’s Travis Haney tweeted early Friday most of his sources expected Auburn defensive coordinator and former Florida coach Will Muschamp will land with the Gamecocks by the end of the weekend.

USA Today reporter Dan Wolken spoke highly of Muschamp, arguing a bad start and the early hiring mistake of Charlie Weis set his tenure back with the Gators, and was something he couldn’t come back from.

SBNation’s Steven Godfrey tweeted his own confirmation of previous reports former South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier recommended Muschamp to athletic director Ray Tanner.

Despite the reported Muschamp momentum, local radio host Teddy Heffner reported Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley did well in his interview with Tanner.

News also broke Friday that BYU's Bronco Mendenhall will take the open job at Virginia. The Daily Progress in Charlottesville was among the first to report the news.