It is not an easy lot in life to be a fan of the Fighting Gamecocks Football team –this statement is not revolutionary. I was baptized into this life later than many, as a young transplant student of the University. As such, I had the fortune to be present on campus for a portion of, perhaps, the greatest stretch of football ever witnessed by the University of South Carolina. The days of Spurrier, Lattimore & Clowney, LLC. Yet, despite a sharp descent back into a deep valley, I’m not going anywhere. I doubt you are, either.
The 2019 season was supposed to be the litmus test of the head coaching tenancy of Will Muschamp, and in many ways it was. Facing the toughest schedule in the nation, many fans (yours truly included), expected a competitive fight each week. On paper, it made sense. This was the most talented group that Coach Muschamp would put on the field, captained by senior Quarterback Jake Bentley. Bentley, as we all know, received mixed support from fans, but among the team was (and is) held in the highest regard. And, statistically, Bentley had the opportunity to become the most successful quarterback in program history.
Not to mention veteran talent and depth across the team – Bryan Edwards, D.J. Wonnum, T.J. Brunson, Javon Kinlaw, Donnell Stanley and others were expected to be the backbone of the “coming out” team for this Gamecocks program. A team that would certainly lose some games due to the difficulty of the schedule, but win enough to make a bowl game and put the program back on the map.
What a story it could have been – yet an equally compelling story took its’ place. Jake Bentley gets hurt, out for the season, in a strange Week 1 game against Coach Muschamp’s mentor (and master?) Mack Brown – who beat the Gamecocks in a triumphant return to college football. (The rotten cherry on top being that the Tarheels beat the Gamecocks with a freshman quarterback who was a former Gamecock recruit.)
Off a tough loss, and the loss of the senior quarterback, the era of Ryan Hilinski so began. The nationally touted, young, star quarterback… in the making. He comes with all the fixin’s: big arm, quick release, good head on his shoulders. In week two he wowed Gamecocks fans everywhere with an overwhelming win against an underwhelming foe. And against the no-introduction-required Alabama Crimson Tide, he played big on the big stage and made throws that some NFL quarterbacks still can’t make. However, he came out of that loss bruised and battered. To many, it was evident that he was never healthy again.
The rest of the season followed this pattern to such a degree that it need not be repeated here – highs and lows. More lows than highs, but the highs included necessary steps forward (beating Kentucky in a night game), and a legend (beating UGA between the hedges). But at the end of November, the 2019 season concluded much the same as the 2018 season – the team ran out of healthy bodies, and ran out of gas. The team ended with four wins. Four. Happy. Saturdays.
So, what were the results of the litmus test? For many, myself included, the litmus test concluded that perhaps Coach Muschamp cannot get the job done as the “new” head ball coach. All concluded that changes need to be made. However, for reasons beyond those on the football field, the removal of Coach Muschamp did not, and does not now, make sense for the University or for the program. The defense had improved, and the roster has been improved, and the buy-out is ludicrously high for absurd reasons. So, if the Coach won’t be removed – what other changes can be made?
Clearly, the tenure of Offensive Coordinator Bryan McClendon was marred with many bad performances and a lack of adjustments. Coach Dan Werner, who by all accounts is an A+ human being, did a C- job developing the quarterback position. And Jeff Dillman of “leggoo” fame may have worn out the welcome in his messaging. All three were relieved of their duties, with one, Bryan McClendon, remaining on staff in a quasi-demotion.
The fanbase, of course, clamored for the high-profile Offensive Coordinator hire that never has been. A Chad Morris type – names responsible for numerous high-flying offenses around the country, or a Kalen DeBoer type – names uttered as gurus and future legends of the game. Coach Muschamp hired Mike Bobo. Bobo, of course, really is a Chad Morris type – a name responsible for high-powered offenses right down the street at UGA. On paper, the hire checks all the boxes. But, he’s a former Georgia guy – of which some argue there were too many on staff already. He’s an SEC re-tread, and a Muschamp buddy – he’s within the comfort zone that many, myself included, think should be travelled beyond.
However, the Bobo hire simply cannot be judged at this time. So far, the right things have been said by the right coaches, players and recruits. Objectively, I have confidence because the hire makes sense. Subjectively, I’m concerned that the expectations are already too high.
In a year largely consisting of disappointments, Coach Muschamp must be recognized for preventing a letdown on the early National Signing Day. As has been written ad nauseum, despite rumors of firings and staff overhaul, Coach Muschamp kept together a top-20 class and nabbed a commitment from Jordan Burch, who needs no introduction. It’s remarkable, improbable and the farthest thing from a disappointment.
While this word, hope, may be loathed by some for good reason, it must be said that there is in fact hope. There is hope that the days of Muschamp, Lloyd and Burch may be similar to the days of Spurrier, Lattimore and Clowney. There are striking similarities between the talents of the 2011 team and the incoming 2020 team. There are, in fact, silver linings to the four happy Saturdays of 2019.
The silver linings are as follows: the schedule next year is easier, the outgoing talent is matched by the incoming talent, the carryover talent has another year of development, and the offensive coaching staff is improved. Will this be enough? There is no way to know.
But I do know the following: I’m ready for the 2020 season, even if it means I’ll be hurt again. I’m ready to see Ryan Hilinski play as a fully healthy sophomore quarterback. I’m ready to watch a star freshman running back take the country by storm. I’m ready to watch a hometown hero take the field in Garnet & Black. The storylines are there, the talent is there.
As Johnny Cash once said: these are my people.
Forever to thee. Merry Christmas to all.
The 2019 season was supposed to be the litmus test of the head coaching tenancy of Will Muschamp, and in many ways it was. Facing the toughest schedule in the nation, many fans (yours truly included), expected a competitive fight each week. On paper, it made sense. This was the most talented group that Coach Muschamp would put on the field, captained by senior Quarterback Jake Bentley. Bentley, as we all know, received mixed support from fans, but among the team was (and is) held in the highest regard. And, statistically, Bentley had the opportunity to become the most successful quarterback in program history.
Not to mention veteran talent and depth across the team – Bryan Edwards, D.J. Wonnum, T.J. Brunson, Javon Kinlaw, Donnell Stanley and others were expected to be the backbone of the “coming out” team for this Gamecocks program. A team that would certainly lose some games due to the difficulty of the schedule, but win enough to make a bowl game and put the program back on the map.
What a story it could have been – yet an equally compelling story took its’ place. Jake Bentley gets hurt, out for the season, in a strange Week 1 game against Coach Muschamp’s mentor (and master?) Mack Brown – who beat the Gamecocks in a triumphant return to college football. (The rotten cherry on top being that the Tarheels beat the Gamecocks with a freshman quarterback who was a former Gamecock recruit.)
Off a tough loss, and the loss of the senior quarterback, the era of Ryan Hilinski so began. The nationally touted, young, star quarterback… in the making. He comes with all the fixin’s: big arm, quick release, good head on his shoulders. In week two he wowed Gamecocks fans everywhere with an overwhelming win against an underwhelming foe. And against the no-introduction-required Alabama Crimson Tide, he played big on the big stage and made throws that some NFL quarterbacks still can’t make. However, he came out of that loss bruised and battered. To many, it was evident that he was never healthy again.
The rest of the season followed this pattern to such a degree that it need not be repeated here – highs and lows. More lows than highs, but the highs included necessary steps forward (beating Kentucky in a night game), and a legend (beating UGA between the hedges). But at the end of November, the 2019 season concluded much the same as the 2018 season – the team ran out of healthy bodies, and ran out of gas. The team ended with four wins. Four. Happy. Saturdays.
So, what were the results of the litmus test? For many, myself included, the litmus test concluded that perhaps Coach Muschamp cannot get the job done as the “new” head ball coach. All concluded that changes need to be made. However, for reasons beyond those on the football field, the removal of Coach Muschamp did not, and does not now, make sense for the University or for the program. The defense had improved, and the roster has been improved, and the buy-out is ludicrously high for absurd reasons. So, if the Coach won’t be removed – what other changes can be made?
Clearly, the tenure of Offensive Coordinator Bryan McClendon was marred with many bad performances and a lack of adjustments. Coach Dan Werner, who by all accounts is an A+ human being, did a C- job developing the quarterback position. And Jeff Dillman of “leggoo” fame may have worn out the welcome in his messaging. All three were relieved of their duties, with one, Bryan McClendon, remaining on staff in a quasi-demotion.
The fanbase, of course, clamored for the high-profile Offensive Coordinator hire that never has been. A Chad Morris type – names responsible for numerous high-flying offenses around the country, or a Kalen DeBoer type – names uttered as gurus and future legends of the game. Coach Muschamp hired Mike Bobo. Bobo, of course, really is a Chad Morris type – a name responsible for high-powered offenses right down the street at UGA. On paper, the hire checks all the boxes. But, he’s a former Georgia guy – of which some argue there were too many on staff already. He’s an SEC re-tread, and a Muschamp buddy – he’s within the comfort zone that many, myself included, think should be travelled beyond.
However, the Bobo hire simply cannot be judged at this time. So far, the right things have been said by the right coaches, players and recruits. Objectively, I have confidence because the hire makes sense. Subjectively, I’m concerned that the expectations are already too high.
In a year largely consisting of disappointments, Coach Muschamp must be recognized for preventing a letdown on the early National Signing Day. As has been written ad nauseum, despite rumors of firings and staff overhaul, Coach Muschamp kept together a top-20 class and nabbed a commitment from Jordan Burch, who needs no introduction. It’s remarkable, improbable and the farthest thing from a disappointment.
While this word, hope, may be loathed by some for good reason, it must be said that there is in fact hope. There is hope that the days of Muschamp, Lloyd and Burch may be similar to the days of Spurrier, Lattimore and Clowney. There are striking similarities between the talents of the 2011 team and the incoming 2020 team. There are, in fact, silver linings to the four happy Saturdays of 2019.
The silver linings are as follows: the schedule next year is easier, the outgoing talent is matched by the incoming talent, the carryover talent has another year of development, and the offensive coaching staff is improved. Will this be enough? There is no way to know.
But I do know the following: I’m ready for the 2020 season, even if it means I’ll be hurt again. I’m ready to see Ryan Hilinski play as a fully healthy sophomore quarterback. I’m ready to watch a star freshman running back take the country by storm. I’m ready to watch a hometown hero take the field in Garnet & Black. The storylines are there, the talent is there.
As Johnny Cash once said: these are my people.
Forever to thee. Merry Christmas to all.
