C
Collyn Taylor
Guest
The AD, interim head coach and players will meet with the media starting at 10 a.m. We're not sure if this is the only media availability of the week right now or if USC will have it's traditional Tuesday press conference at all. The only thing known from an availability standpoint is right now.
Full updates will be in this post, so all you have to do is refresh it.
--Ray Tanner publicly acknowledges Will Muschamp and praises his dedication, work ethic and culture. Said the next coach will inherit a great situation. Said it was more difficult because of their personal relationship. Said Muschamp had class and dignity in this conversation and even met with players before Tanner and Caslen did.
--"There are bright spots in this program with coach Muschamp's fingerprints on them." Said at the end of the day it's about winning games at South Carolina.
--Said they'll move forward and they're better for the time spent at South Carolina.
--Asked about Muschamp's buyout, said it could be adjusted by mutual agreements and "certainly it will be the case."
--They did a "very thorough vetting process" last time out that ended with Muschamp. Said experience in the SEC with Muschamp was big and they feel like they will do a "great job." Said sooner than later is better but they'll still have a very thorough vetting process with each candidate.
--Said there's nothing he could say about Muschamp's tenure that would be derogatory outside of he didn't win games. Said they want to get back to a level of success.
--Decision was made yesterday and "not in advance." He and Caslen spoke a lot yesterday. Is there ever a great time to fire a head coach? No. The December signing day is in play. The desire would be to have a head coach before the next signing day.
--Asked about expectations for Bobo, said he's not a football coach. Mentions that Bobo has a chance to earn a head coaching job over the last three games of the year.
--Said this hire is not about him at all. He's focused on the entire athletic department.
--Mentions now "everyone lights up the scoreboard." Said they're looking for offense. The other things in terms of passion and dedication where there for Muschamp but mentions players want to have fun and the fun is winning.
--A search firm hasn't been hired yet but it could be. Said there has been some third party interest expressed to South Carolina but there hasn't been any direct contact with Tanner from coaches yet.
--Tanner will lead the search and they will not have a formal search committee. Said Caslen will also have input.
--Said he "would hope" the financials wouldn't hinder spending money on a head coach but does acknowledge there could be some budget issues.
--Asked about pressure, said they have a lot of levels to athletics with the BOT, donors, etc. and he listens to all of them. Said he always states his opinion and "we're hear today and moving forward."
--Ray Tanner getting choked up talking about having to fire Muschamp. Said the bottom line was winning, and that made it hard from a personal aspect because he does like Muschamp as a person. They did text last night after Muschamp was fired.
"I wish the circumstances were different but we're both grown men and have to deal with reality."
--Tanner will do his best to do interviews and meetings "face to face" but does know some of it will have to be done virtual.
--The "ideal circumstance" is to have a coach before the Dec. 16 early signing period. "We want to be in a hurry but we're not rushing." Said it presents things for the recruiting trail and with current commitments.
--The contract allows for Muschamp/Tanner to negotiate a specific settlement but nothing's settled there yet.
--Asked about early wins and results, but said the folks they talk to understand how important it is to win and win early in the SEC.
--Players will be involved in part with the coaching search. Said they "add a lot" and have something to offer.
--Asked about the downturn over the last three years, mentions the challenge of sustaining success in the SEC. Said coaches can have runs but it's hard to do that consistently. Muschamp never took the program in "cruise control" and was always working.
--Ray Tanner and Jim Sterk talked this week about Missouri's COVID issues and said they're optimistic the game this weekend can be played. They'll get results back today on a COVID tests from Sunday and move forward.
--Said scheme won't be "ruled in or ruled out." Said he doesn't think they'll go an option-oriented attack but you never know. Head coaching experience isn't a requirement. They'll look at sitting head coaches, coordinators and other assistants. Said hiring a sitting head coach doesn't always work out.
--Mike Bobo is a head coach and has the ability to do whatever he wants.
--Muschamp's buyout won't impact other programs. They'll continue to do more budget cuts as the next two or three years go on. They're going to try and remain "intact."
--Doesn't think hiring a head coach is a "perfect science." They're not going to sacrifice character, integrity and student athlete experience coming from a head coach. They want to inject "enthusiasm and fun" into the program. They want a coach that can win right away with some energy and excitement. Doesn't think there's a perfect formula. They hire what they feel is the right person and hope it's a good outcome.
--Asked specifically about Hugh Freeze, said he won't comment on specific candidates. Said they are in the process of trimming a list down. There is a "vetting process" with the NCAA and within the SEC when hiring a coach in any sport.
--He wanted Mike Bobo as interim because he's been a head coach before and knew over the last few months Bobo's made an impact as offensive coordinator. He's "embraced it" and is going forward.
--Says it's "important to us" to interview diversity candidates and there are minority candidates already on his list.
Mike Bobo
--Said Will Muschamp was one of the main reasons he picked to come to South Carolina this offseason because of the type coach and person he is. Said he's very professional in how he goes about his business.
--Said it was a "tough day" Sunday and will be tough going forward but "life is tough too." How they respond to challenges is key and "we definitely have a challenge" in front of them. Calls it an "opportunity to come together and play for something."
--Asked about his mentality going forward, said it's not about the team and it's about his players. They all have individual goals but it's not about that right now. It's about the players and doing their job as an adult to show how they respond to adversity. That's the message going forward.
--He's going to "look at everything" in evaluating things defensively moving forward. They'll do whatever they feel gives them the best chance to win. Said Connor Shaw is now the 10th assistant and will help out at the quarterback spot.
--Team has today off to process the news (it was already an off day) and they come to the building Tuesday "ready to work."
--Bobo still plans on calling plays offensively.
--Asked about learning from his time at CSU, said he learned to spread himself out more to other sides of the ball because you can get so focused on the side of the ball you as a coach came up on. Said he believes in the staff and on the offensive staff. Trusts them a lot to do.
He's going to be more of a moral guy right now to make sure guys are emotionally ready.
--Said he doesn't get surprised by anything in coaching because it's "not a patient profession." Said he didn't think it would happen or wasn't concerned if it would. Muschamp pulled Bobo in at lunch about the situation before talking to Tanner.
--"I didn't come here to be the interim...I came here to work for coach Muschamp." Said when the news came out he felt bad because he feels like he let the team and Muschamp down.
--Assistant coaches are in the process now of talking to guys committed in the 2021 class. Said they're telling them to be patient and that they chose South Carolina for a lot of reasons. Said they're going to be "honest and transparent."
--He'll still call plays from the field. Said he might put more offensive assistants in the box. Kitchings moved up there against Ole Miss. Joe Cox is currently handling the offensive staff meeting without Bobo there.
--It was a tough few months for the team starting in 2020 with all the things going on. Said morale was low after three losses and got lower with the firing. They split up last night to talk as position groups and it's up to the coaches to demonstrate how to respond to adversity.
--Jokes it's "four minutes til 11" and hasn't watched a minute of game film. He'd usually be all the way done with practice planning. That's how things go as a head coach. Feels confident in his head coach about being productive offensively. Already met with T-Rob and Kyle Krantz for defensive/special teams game plans.
--Asked about other assistants talking to other schools, said they all have families they need to provide for but they have a job to do and need to do it well. "At the same time, you have to get on the phone and talk about other opportunities."
Has no doubt they'll do their jobs to the best of their abilities.
Live video:
Full updates will be in this post, so all you have to do is refresh it.
--Ray Tanner publicly acknowledges Will Muschamp and praises his dedication, work ethic and culture. Said the next coach will inherit a great situation. Said it was more difficult because of their personal relationship. Said Muschamp had class and dignity in this conversation and even met with players before Tanner and Caslen did.
--"There are bright spots in this program with coach Muschamp's fingerprints on them." Said at the end of the day it's about winning games at South Carolina.
--Said they'll move forward and they're better for the time spent at South Carolina.
--Asked about Muschamp's buyout, said it could be adjusted by mutual agreements and "certainly it will be the case."
--They did a "very thorough vetting process" last time out that ended with Muschamp. Said experience in the SEC with Muschamp was big and they feel like they will do a "great job." Said sooner than later is better but they'll still have a very thorough vetting process with each candidate.
--Said there's nothing he could say about Muschamp's tenure that would be derogatory outside of he didn't win games. Said they want to get back to a level of success.
--Decision was made yesterday and "not in advance." He and Caslen spoke a lot yesterday. Is there ever a great time to fire a head coach? No. The December signing day is in play. The desire would be to have a head coach before the next signing day.
--Asked about expectations for Bobo, said he's not a football coach. Mentions that Bobo has a chance to earn a head coaching job over the last three games of the year.
--Said this hire is not about him at all. He's focused on the entire athletic department.
--Mentions now "everyone lights up the scoreboard." Said they're looking for offense. The other things in terms of passion and dedication where there for Muschamp but mentions players want to have fun and the fun is winning.
--A search firm hasn't been hired yet but it could be. Said there has been some third party interest expressed to South Carolina but there hasn't been any direct contact with Tanner from coaches yet.
--Tanner will lead the search and they will not have a formal search committee. Said Caslen will also have input.
--Said he "would hope" the financials wouldn't hinder spending money on a head coach but does acknowledge there could be some budget issues.
--Asked about pressure, said they have a lot of levels to athletics with the BOT, donors, etc. and he listens to all of them. Said he always states his opinion and "we're hear today and moving forward."
--Ray Tanner getting choked up talking about having to fire Muschamp. Said the bottom line was winning, and that made it hard from a personal aspect because he does like Muschamp as a person. They did text last night after Muschamp was fired.
"I wish the circumstances were different but we're both grown men and have to deal with reality."
--Tanner will do his best to do interviews and meetings "face to face" but does know some of it will have to be done virtual.
--The "ideal circumstance" is to have a coach before the Dec. 16 early signing period. "We want to be in a hurry but we're not rushing." Said it presents things for the recruiting trail and with current commitments.
--The contract allows for Muschamp/Tanner to negotiate a specific settlement but nothing's settled there yet.
--Asked about early wins and results, but said the folks they talk to understand how important it is to win and win early in the SEC.
--Players will be involved in part with the coaching search. Said they "add a lot" and have something to offer.
--Asked about the downturn over the last three years, mentions the challenge of sustaining success in the SEC. Said coaches can have runs but it's hard to do that consistently. Muschamp never took the program in "cruise control" and was always working.
--Ray Tanner and Jim Sterk talked this week about Missouri's COVID issues and said they're optimistic the game this weekend can be played. They'll get results back today on a COVID tests from Sunday and move forward.
--Said scheme won't be "ruled in or ruled out." Said he doesn't think they'll go an option-oriented attack but you never know. Head coaching experience isn't a requirement. They'll look at sitting head coaches, coordinators and other assistants. Said hiring a sitting head coach doesn't always work out.
--Mike Bobo is a head coach and has the ability to do whatever he wants.
--Muschamp's buyout won't impact other programs. They'll continue to do more budget cuts as the next two or three years go on. They're going to try and remain "intact."
--Doesn't think hiring a head coach is a "perfect science." They're not going to sacrifice character, integrity and student athlete experience coming from a head coach. They want to inject "enthusiasm and fun" into the program. They want a coach that can win right away with some energy and excitement. Doesn't think there's a perfect formula. They hire what they feel is the right person and hope it's a good outcome.
--Asked specifically about Hugh Freeze, said he won't comment on specific candidates. Said they are in the process of trimming a list down. There is a "vetting process" with the NCAA and within the SEC when hiring a coach in any sport.
--He wanted Mike Bobo as interim because he's been a head coach before and knew over the last few months Bobo's made an impact as offensive coordinator. He's "embraced it" and is going forward.
--Says it's "important to us" to interview diversity candidates and there are minority candidates already on his list.
Mike Bobo
--Said Will Muschamp was one of the main reasons he picked to come to South Carolina this offseason because of the type coach and person he is. Said he's very professional in how he goes about his business.
--Said it was a "tough day" Sunday and will be tough going forward but "life is tough too." How they respond to challenges is key and "we definitely have a challenge" in front of them. Calls it an "opportunity to come together and play for something."
--Asked about his mentality going forward, said it's not about the team and it's about his players. They all have individual goals but it's not about that right now. It's about the players and doing their job as an adult to show how they respond to adversity. That's the message going forward.
--He's going to "look at everything" in evaluating things defensively moving forward. They'll do whatever they feel gives them the best chance to win. Said Connor Shaw is now the 10th assistant and will help out at the quarterback spot.
--Team has today off to process the news (it was already an off day) and they come to the building Tuesday "ready to work."
--Bobo still plans on calling plays offensively.
--Asked about learning from his time at CSU, said he learned to spread himself out more to other sides of the ball because you can get so focused on the side of the ball you as a coach came up on. Said he believes in the staff and on the offensive staff. Trusts them a lot to do.
He's going to be more of a moral guy right now to make sure guys are emotionally ready.
--Said he doesn't get surprised by anything in coaching because it's "not a patient profession." Said he didn't think it would happen or wasn't concerned if it would. Muschamp pulled Bobo in at lunch about the situation before talking to Tanner.
--"I didn't come here to be the interim...I came here to work for coach Muschamp." Said when the news came out he felt bad because he feels like he let the team and Muschamp down.
--Assistant coaches are in the process now of talking to guys committed in the 2021 class. Said they're telling them to be patient and that they chose South Carolina for a lot of reasons. Said they're going to be "honest and transparent."
--He'll still call plays from the field. Said he might put more offensive assistants in the box. Kitchings moved up there against Ole Miss. Joe Cox is currently handling the offensive staff meeting without Bobo there.
--It was a tough few months for the team starting in 2020 with all the things going on. Said morale was low after three losses and got lower with the firing. They split up last night to talk as position groups and it's up to the coaches to demonstrate how to respond to adversity.
--Jokes it's "four minutes til 11" and hasn't watched a minute of game film. He'd usually be all the way done with practice planning. That's how things go as a head coach. Feels confident in his head coach about being productive offensively. Already met with T-Rob and Kyle Krantz for defensive/special teams game plans.
--Asked about other assistants talking to other schools, said they all have families they need to provide for but they have a job to do and need to do it well. "At the same time, you have to get on the phone and talk about other opportunities."
Has no doubt they'll do their jobs to the best of their abilities.
Live video:
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