Five things to know about USC’s new head football coach
Will Muschamp will become South Carolina’s 34th head football coach, with an 11 a.m. news conference set for Monday at Williams-Brice Stadium. Here, five things you need to know:
1. Coach “Boom”
Muschamp is often called “Boom” due to his fiery sideline demeanor and favorite heat-of-the-moment expression, and he built an excellent coaching reputation as a defensive coordinator before becoming the Florida Gators head coach.
2. Defensive-minded
Muschamp joins a growing list of head coaches in the SEC with defensive backgrounds: Kirby Smart at Georgia, Derek Mason at Vanderbilt, Barry Odom at Missouri and Kentucky’s Mark Stoops. And, of course, Nick Saban at Alabama.
3. Saban’s tree
Muschamp is currently lumped with former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley as former Saban assistants who didn’t work out. But his second chance gives him an opportunity to join Mark Dantonio, Jimbo Fisher and Jim McElwain as successes.
4. Local connections
Muschamp’s staff could include at least three with USC connections: Ellis Johnson as linebackers coach, current FSU defensive ends coach Brad Lawing as defensive line coach and former star Marcus Lattimore has talked to Muschamp.
5. Florida again
Muschamp makes it two former Florida coaches in a row as Gamecocks head coaches. Of course, Steve Spurrier became USC’s winningest coach ever before resigning in midseason. Muschamp was 28-21 before being fired by the Gators.
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— The State Newspaper (@thestate) December 7, 2015
This story was originally published December 6, 2015 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Five things to know about USC’s new head football coach."