Report: Bryan McClendon not expected to leave South Carolina after all

The South Carolina Gamecocks fired OC Kurt Roper ahead of their Outback Bowl appearance and gave play-calling duties to Bryan McClendon.

That experiment didn’t start off well, as the Gamecocks struggled in the first half against Michigan.

However, they turned things around and pulled off a thrilling second-half victory. Now, the Gamecocks are expected to retain McClendon’s services, according to FootballScoop.com:

Sources tell FootballScoop Bryan McClendon is expected to remain with Will Muschamp’s staff. Stay tuned….

That runs contrary to what Tennessee reporter Jimmy Hyams said earlier in the day, when he tweeted that McClendon was expected to leave South Carolina:

It doesn't appear as though South Carolina assistant Bryan McClendon, who called SC plays during bowl game, will join UT as WR coach, according to a source. McClendon is expected to leave SC staff. I'm unsure where UT turns for WR coach, the only spot left on Jeremy Pruitt staff.

— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) January 3, 2018

Whether McClendon ends up as the Gamecocks’ full-time coordinator or not remains to be seen, but it seems momentum is building for his return to Columbia at this time.