Much has been made about South Carolina’s new coaching staff under first-year coach Shane Beamer. But at least one former Gamecock has stood up to defend the reported hire of Torrian Gray, most recently the defensive backs coach at Florida.

The history between Gray and Beamer dates back to their days at Virginia Tech when Beamer played for the Hokies from 1995-99 while Gray was with the program as a player from 1992-96. Gray, a native of Lakeland, Fla., later joined the Virginia Tech coaching staff where he served as the team’s defensive backs coach from 2006-15. Beamer was an assistant with the program from 2011-15.

He spent the 2016 season with the Gators coaching defensive backs before leaving to coach with the Washington Redskins for two years where he met Swearinger. He’s spent each of the past two seasons back with the Gators, working primarily with the cornerbacks.

Swearinger’s seal of approval appears to sit well with many Gamecock fans and has influenced their opinion of Gray.

On Will Muschamp’s staff, the defensive backs were coached by Travaris Robinson and Kyle Krantz.