Will Muschamp will be back at Williams-Brice Stadium this weekend for the first time since being fired by the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2020.

Now co-defensive coordinator for Kirby Smart’s No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs, Muschamp will be facing the school he was head coach at for 5 seasons.

Muschamp’s time in South Carolina can be defined by mediocrity. He went 28-30 and was fired in-season after leading the Gamecocks to a disappointing 2-5 start in 2020.

No, things didn’t end well between the coach and the program, but that hasn’t stopped some of Muchamp’s old players — kids he recruited — from saying great things about him before this homecoming of sorts. According to thestate.com, 46 players on South Carolina’s current roster either played for Muschamp or were recruited by him.

“He’s a great coach, and I loved him,” running back Marshawn Lloyd said. “No hard feelings, still love the coach. I just feel like things had to change.”

Senior linebacker Sherrod Greene played for Muschamp from 2017-2020. He had great things to say about his former coach as well, and compared him to his current coach, Shane Beamer.

“Muschamp cares about his players, but Beamer, he truly, truly cares about his players,” Greene said. “He expects a lot from us. If we don’t do right, definitely will get on our tail, same thing with Muschamp.”

“They want the best for us and make sure we stay locked in on what we’re supposed to do.”

Muschamp’s current team, the Bulldogs, is coming off a national championship win and are 2-0 this season after dominant wins over No. 11 Oregon and Samford.

The Bulldogs are heavy favorites over the Gamecocks ahead of the noon game on Saturday.