What USC wants in new offensive coordinator: Muschamp gives Joyner some insight

Dakereon Joyner wasn’t caught off guard when South Carolina fired offensive coordinator Kurt Roper on Wednesday.

The Fort Dorchester High quarterback and South Carolina commit said coach Will Muschamp told him a move was going to happen during his in-home visit Tuesday. Roper, who visited with Joyner the previous week, was officially let go the following day.

“I did know about it, but I’ve got to respect my coaches and they told me not to tell anybody,” Joyner said Saturday after winning South Carolina’s Mr. Football. “Whatever happened, I’ve got to move on and just go in January and be the best player I can be. It could be the best thing that ever happened. I am going with a new coach and a clean slate.”

Joyner had a good relationship with Roper in the recruiting process and publicly thanked him in a Twitter post this week. But the quarterback said he is looking forward to whoever Muschamp picks as the new offensive coordinator.

Muschamp told Joyner some of the things he is looking for in the new offensive coordinator to help kick-start the Gamecocks’ offense.

South Carolina ranked 12th in the SEC in scoring (24.1 ppg) and total offense (340.2) despite going 8-4 in 2017.

“Coach Muschamp said he wants an offense that fits our style and wants our offense to be more explosive and faster and run more plays,” Joyner said. “Hopefully, we will get a coach that will help us do that.”

Joyner is looking forward to getting on campus and starting his USC career. He will officially sign Dec. 20 and enroll Jan. 10.

Joyner plays in the Shrine Bowl this week and in the Offensive-Defensive Bowl in New Orleans on Dec. 30.

This story was originally published December 10, 2017 at 9:12 AM with the headline "What USC wants in new offensive coordinator: Muschamp gives Joyner some insight."