When former South Carolina star Marcus Lattimore retired from the NFL earlier this year and officially announced plans to return to Columbia, S.C., many Gamecocks fans hoped that coach Steve Spurrier may convince him to join the football staff.
That’s not going to happen, according to David Cloninger of The State. Lattimore returned to campus to pursue his degree in public health and prefers to coach football at the high school level in the future, Cloninger reported.
As a consolation, though, Lattimore will attend a few of South Carolina’s spring practices and work with the team’s running backs.
Lattimore, of course, broke out as a South Carolina freshman in 2010, compiling 1,609 yards of total offense (similar to Nick Chubb’s season for Georgia in 2014). But knee injuries in each of the next two seasons — including a devastating torn ACL, PCL and MCL against Tennessee during his junior season — curtailed his college career and eventually forced him into retirement after two years of attempted rehab with the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s encouraging to see that he has a plan for his post-football life, as it tends to be a difficult transition for many. And it’s admirable that he wants to spend his time and energy helping young people.
Lattimore sponsored a career development seminar today for high school athletes. Tori Gurley and Sheldon Brown also spoke.
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) March 17, 2015
Lattimore is sponsoring a camp April 11 at Heathwood Hall. It ends at 1145 so players can get to USC's spring game. http://t.co/mGZVMSeshp
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) March 17, 2015
While it’s a shame such a bright career ended before it really got started, just having Lattimore present at spring practice this year should be beneficial for both sides. The South Carolina running backs would do well to listen to his advice about football and especially about their futures.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
