Bryan McClendon’s ‘audition’ to land full-time OC role not going according to plan

The South Carolina Gamecocks fired offensive coordinator Kurt Roper following the regular season, so Bryan McClendon took over play-calling duties for the Outback Bowl on Monday.

McClendon was in the running to land the full-time job, too, but after the first half of the game, it wasn’t looking good for his chances.

At halftime, the Michigan Wolverines led the Gamecocks 9-3, and South Carolina’s offense struggled, to say the least.

The Gamecocks put up only 89 total yards in the first half and only 16 yards on the ground. That led many South Carolina fans to comment that they didn’t see much of a difference from the plays Roper called:

McClendon's offense isn't working for me.

— Talkin Gamecocks (@TalkinGamecocks) January 1, 2018

Don’t be like Roper, McClendon……

— Zack (@MattDidntRhule) January 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/JamesLeeFrom843/status/947895961409421312

https://twitter.com/Zane_Squints2/status/947895922587037696

These are the same plays drive after drive, McClendon ain’t the answer.

— James (@jamesbaer1) January 1, 2018

Nearly 17 minutes into this @outbackbowl, South Carolina has 29 total yards, including 2 rushing. Not an auspicious start for interim coordinator Bryan McClendon

— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) January 1, 2018

Is McClendon really this bad or did Roper sneak in the booth somewhere and grab a headset? I honestly can't tell the difference

— Trey Smith (@DCS_III) January 1, 2018

I don’t think the McClendon experiment at OC is working out. I’d give him the benefit of the doubt with the awful offensive line play, but the third down runs straight up the middle are too Roper-esque.

— Dean James (@DJamesSC) January 1, 2018

A lot can change in the second half, of course, but for now, it seems most Gamecock fans want coach Will Muschamp to make an outside hire when he hires a full-time offensive coordinator.

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.