Hot seat rising? South Carolina president commits to Will Muschamp 'through the end of the season'
South Carolina coach Will Muschamp received a vote of confidence from the school’s president Robert Caslen … sort of.
Caslen told The Greenville News this week that Muschamp is his coach but implied that could change after November.
“Coach Muschamp is my coach. That’s the message. He will be my coach through the end of the season,” Caslen said. “And then, just like any other coach that’s out there, whether it’s a soccer coach, whether it’s the equestrian coach, whatever, they’re going to do an end-of-year assessment, the athletic director does. Then, we’ll see what’s up.”
South Carolina is in the midst of a 4-6 season with a road game at Texas A&M and home contest against Clemson still coming up. Muschamp is 26-23 in his four years with the Gamecocks and could easily fall to just one game above .500 by season’s end. South Carolina must win both games to receive a bowl bid.
The problem with firing Muschamp, though, is South Carolina just extended him a new deal last year. According to The Greenville News, if Caslen makes a coaching change before Dec. 30, South Carolina would owe Muschamp $19.4 million.
Want ‘our version of Stoops’?
I would take Stoops in a heartbeat, seriously you guys should through the checkbook at that guy.
Second that. Does more with less.
I thought the Noleys were gonna chase him? Now you’re pimping him to the GCocks too?
$19.4 million buyout ? Amazing, huh. In what other position can anyone absolutely fail and receive this much money ? Maybe a the head of a Fortune 500 Co.
It is obviously time for Will Muschhamp to go away, as there has been absolutely ZERO PROGRESS during his tenure at South Carolina. FAILURE is what Will brought to South Carolina, no more. He has been a very good “D” coordinator at Texas(with all that in-state talent)…but as a Head Coach=A TOTAL FAILURE at Florida and South Carolina.
The big question is not who will succeed him but this…WHEN WILL ATHLETIC DIRECTORS FINALLY STOP AGREEING TO THESE RIDICULOUS BUYOUTS ? Have they ever heard the word “NO” ? You do not have to say yes, just because a sports Agent says…”This is what’ll it’ll take to hire him”.
But it is easy to spend someone else’s money, right.
After Clemson lays 70 points on em….maybe Ray Tanner will awaken from his slumber and fire this guy. It is time !
The most Gamecock thing that could happen is actually beating both aTm and Clemson. Everything else this season has been inexplicable might as well end it that way. We’ve ended the ranked team losing streak, ended UK and UGA streak might as well get the last two monkeys off our back.
The person(s) that agreed to this buyout for a loser like Muschamp should also be fired. Tanner needs to go just as bad as Muschamp.
Sounds like a warning shot over the bow.
Here’s the million dollar question – if SCar fires muschamp then who are they going to hire as his replacement?
No offense intended, I’m not trying to poke SCar fans,
but SCar is not a marque coaching destination.
They would have to target either some up and comer a coach at a small program or a coordinator. I could see them targeting an offensive minded coach after the failure that was Muschamp. Honestly based on how talented their QBs can be I think Leach would be a great hire. Or if they wanted they could try to do an LSU get a really cheap head coach and try to pull Joe Brady as an OC and hire a really good DC like Mason if he is fired. Though I doubt I see that happening. I think USCjr has the QB talent they just need to find someone that can develop QBs
The only way I’m comfortable with throwing away 19 million is to hire Leach. And why does everyone think he’s ready to leave WSU? It’s a lot of money and makes me a little sick when I see organizations like FSU toss it away, the money can be much more well spent on student athletes.
Thats on USC for agreeing to such a stupid contract. I do think Leach would do well at USCjr. He will play in an easier side of the SEC but he still will have to face UGA, UF, Clemson, Texas A&M and either LSU, Auburn, or Bama each year if not two of those teams if he makes it to a SEC championship.
ben7254…I agree with you totally. There are some very good, young coaches out there…that coach in lesser conferences. Did every coach not begin at a smaller college ? These young guys are enthusiastic and will put in the long hours of recruiting…and ae innovative in their ideas(not totally set in their way of doing things).
Why not give one of these guys a shot ? At this point in time South Carolina has nothing to lose. The upside of hiring a young Head Coach is #1-You won’t have to pay him a huge salary. #2-You won’t have to agree to a huge buyout. Give him an initial 3 yr. contract with a one year’s salary, as a buyout. If he says no…move on the The Young coach #2. Any AD needs to say NO to some of these ridiculous salary demands. Move on, South Carolina….time’s-a-wastin’ and WHY bring this guy back
next year ? there will be no real change.
I’ve been lobbying for this job for quite some time. My requirements are minimal…1 million after taxes per year/fire me for any reason/no buy out. Call me.
I’d take OC for 500k a year after taxes.
If I’m a coach, I think it’s a great destination! Where else can you get that contract extension for being mediocre? Talk about a low pressure job! I can lose half of the games I coach and get that kind of contract buyout?! I’m in!!!
I’ve heard names like Clawson, Aranda, Campbell, Norvell, and Fickell thrown around. Leach and Bob Stoops are my top candidates, if we could land either (Stoops has ties to us through Spurrier, if he wants a challenge could be a fit.)
Next man up. Best available person.
He is toast. Lane Kiffin would be good for them but he probably wants a job that plays Alabama.
Usmc….I also believe that Lane Kiffin is primed and ready for a Head Coaching job at a major university program. He has matured as a person & a Head Coach from his time at Tennessee, Southern Cal, Alabama & Florida Atlantic. He was a QB at San Jose State and can develop a Quarterback(Jalen Hurts at Alabama). Lane can be a very good “out of the box” type hire and South Carolina, at this time is a far-better destination than Arkansas(who is considering him, I hear). Hire the “Lane Train”…they will score some points with him as the Head Coach.
I think South Carolina will be able to find a better coach than Muschamp…it’s not impossible to win there… Spurrier prooved that…I’m having hard time believing they will pay out over 19 million to let Muschamp coach Saban’s defense next year… which I believe is where he’ll end up if he’s fired…
Muschamp at Alabama…I don’t think so. This guy has absolutely zero positive outlook about anything(view his pressers). Yes, he was a good DC at Texas(with all that Texas in-state talent)…but that has been a while, you know. Nick Saban will hire whomever he feels can help the Alabama program, but Will is not on his shortlist, now or ever.
Which is it SDS? Just a couple articles ago you said he had the school’s total support and would be back next year.
SDS is just reporting what people say, not actually stating their own opinion. The article you’re referring to was what Muschamp himself said. This article is what Caslen said.
Your probably right about Muschamp coaching AU s defense next year.
Tanner, who gave him the extension and buyout figure, should be gone right along with him.
Yes, you don’t want Tanner anywhere near this coaching hire. Tanner must be fired first. I’d fire Tanner immediately. You need to hold onto Muschamp for another year at least. That buy out is too much, and then you need money for a new coach. It’s going to be years before you dig out of Ray Tanner’s mess.
Nope, eat the $$$$ and get rid of both of them.
Absolutely! Worst financial decision ever made. But, someone had to approve that buyout.
When ? When ? When ? Will the Athletic Directors learn the word “NO” ? Just because the Agent says “that’s what’ll it’ll take”…they just agree. Have they not ever heard the word “NEGOTIATION” ? These buyouts at Tennessee(for ole Butch)& at Arkansas(Bret Bielema) and South Carolina(Muschamp) are utterly ridiculous. Do these AD’s not remember having to negotiate to purchase a new Car/SUV/Truck ? Obviously not. They all need to read a few dozen books on “The Art Of Negotiating”.
It’s easy when you are playing with someone else’s money.