It’s been an emotional few days for Kiel Pollard at South Carolina.

Less than a week after he medically retired from football because of a neck injury, the now former tight end Pollard joined the coaching staff. On Monday, coach Will Muschamp pulled him immediately into the fold to break down practice.

When Muschamp called “Coach Pollard” to the front of the huddle, there was a murmur that went over the group of players.

“All right, hard work on three, 1-2-3, hard work,” he said.

Pollard brings loads of respect to the program as he appeared in 38 games during his collegiate career in Columbia and even won the Unselfish Teammate Award for special teams last season. He also was named the Special Teams Player of the Spring. He finished his career with 17 receptions for 203 yards and two touchdowns.