South Carolina football: 5-step improvement plan for 2020
The Gamecocks are trying to move on from the disappointing and forgettable 4-8 season in 2019. It’s fair to expect some noticeable changes ahead in 2020.
The schedule is a bit more manageable next season, though South Carolina swaps Alabama for LSU in a game at Tiger Stadium. But Coastal Carolina, East Carolina and Wofford are the other nonconference games outside of Clemson.
The one major change is not only on the coaching staff, but also coaching philosophy as many observers have noted troubling trends for coach Will Muschamp over his head coaching career. The recruiting appears to be there, and the Gamecocks have gotten several players many other top programs recruited, but the results haven’t followed. The question is how much different will the coaching — and coaching staff — be in 2020?
Here are 5 steps to improve the program in 2020:
1. Offensive coordinator
Bryan McClendon gradually became the scapegoat of a lackluster offense this season as Ryan Hilinski’s development plateaued, especially the second half of the season. Muschamp likes to remind everyone that the Gamecocks actually had a good offense last season, and McClendon was in charge then. “No one was b——- last year when we averaged 425 yards and over 30 points a game. We’ve struggled this year, call it like it is. There’s a lot of different areas that are at fault and needs to get fixed and that’s what I’m going to do.” He added, “We have to make some changes moving forward. I’m not addressing anything as far as that’s concerned, so don’t ask.”
The expected hire will be Muschamp’s 5th offensive coordinator as a head coach.
Many people expect McClendon to get fired, and possibly another offensive assistant like Dan Werner, but the trouble is McClendon is known as a strong recruiter and has close ties with running backs coach Thomas Brown, who is another top recruiter. Muschamp has to navigate those tricky waters of remaking the staff without losing the foundation to build from.
Two interesting names mentioned for the likely open OC job are former Arkansas coach and Clemson OC Chad Morris, and former LSU and Maryland OC Matt Canada. Of course, it’s a tricky hire for any candidate because they absolutely know Muschamp is on thin ice entering 2020.
2. Ryan Hilinski
The sensational freshman had a strong start, but could never seem to build on the productive games against Charleston Southern and Alabama. Though he was 15-for-20 passing at Georgia for 116 yards and a TD before he left with the left knee injury. Hilinski has all the tools many expected as a highly-regarded recruit, and he even showed some running ability against Vanderbilt. Muschamp maintains that Hilinski improved “incrementally” each week from preparation, decision-making and game-management.
“He understands those things, and it just takes time,” Muschamp said before the Clemson game. “And what he’s doing’s very difficult. He’s playing the hardest position on the field as a true freshman. We need to do a better job around him, helping him. But I’ve been very proud of Ryan and how he’s handling it, ’cause he’s handling a lot.”
But against Clemson, Hilinski was sacked on a 1st-and-15 play when he didn’t throw the ball away, and another time he threw into triple coverage. Muschamp’s hire at OC, if that truly happens, will need to be as much based on Hilinski’s development, or incoming recruit Luke Doty, as any play-calling or game strategy expertise.
3. Beware of the transfer portal
The new system that makes it easy to announce a player’s intention to transfer has shaken up college football, and left many programs, winning or not, trying to figure out how to manage a roster if playing time changes. After all, the Tavien Feaster situation helped salvage a pedestrian running game.
That’s no different here as Dakereon Joyner, Jay Urich, Deshaun Fenwick, Shilo Sanders, Cam Smith and Vinnie Murphy are just some of the players who saw their roles change or were limited in 2019. Former starting QB Jake Bentley already announced he is transferring after graduating in December. Three running backs will graduate, but top recruit MarShawn Lloyd is expected to make a splash.
4. Finish strong in recruiting
Speaking of Lloyd, the Gamecocks have a solid class led by a top 50 player in Lloyd and another 4-star QB in Doty, who is ranked No. 71 in America. The Gamecocks are No. 7 in the SEC, but 3rd in the East ahead of Tennessee, according to 247Sports. It’s not quite a good a class as last year, where at least 4 players saw steady playing time. But it’s still ranked No. 19 in the country, and covers 8 positions with 7 4-star prospects. Somehow, the coaching and administration turmoil in the last month has not dramatically affected recruiting. Getting 1 or 2 more commits would put this class over the top. After all, the Gamecocks already have commitments from 4 of the top 10 players from South Carolina.
5. Close the gap with Clemson
It might come in recruiting, or perhaps with an assistant coach hire, but South Carolina needs to do something to close the gap with its Upstate rival. Perception might come first, because it’s a long time until the next Palmetto Bowl. But since the average margin of victory the past 6 seasons is 24.3 points, there’s no one outside of the Garnet and Black who sees this snowball stopping anytime soon. Especially with Trevor Lawrence returning for his junior year and Clemson in position to add the No. 1-ranked recruiting class.
Muschamp mentioned confidence as one area that needs to change. Sure, it won’t show up on any depth chart, box score or recruiting ranking, but it is likely the first thing to turn if the Gamecocks are able to resurrect the program back toward double-digit wins.
“We are struggling in a lot of areas. I don’t have enough fingers to put in the dike right now,” Muschamp said after the game. “Confidence is a major issue. We are having a hard time in a lot of areas. To sit there and blame one person, I am not going to do that. We need to be more productive. That’s the bottom line. If you give one reason, that’s an excuse. That’s kind of the way it is these days. I’m tired of talking about it. At the end of the day, we need to get better.”
The real question you have to ask is…if Muschump were klempson or Alabama’s head coach (with their current teams and recruits) would they be competing for conference championships, play off or national championships?
What does this question have to do with anything in this article?!?
Because Chump is constantly changing his staff and getting the same results ; Recruits fairly well but has nothing to show for it?
No good OC is going to want to come be part of this dumpster fire knowing that Muschamp is going to probably be fired next year. Muslose is a terrible HC.
I actually think step 1 for them would be to fire Muschamp and the rest will fall into place.
Not happening. No one wants to pay a $20 million buyout for a coach many didn’t think should be here in the first place. We should fire the AD for putting the athletics department in this predicament.
You’re actually right. They probably both need to go, but the buyout will allow Muschamp to keep his job. His agent must be awesome because he wasn’t a sought after commodity when he signed the contract, but was able to get a massive buyout.
It wouldn’t even be 18 million in reality. Aside from the fact that it could likely be negotiated down some, his buyout is structured so that if he gets another job, his new salary is deducted from the buyout.
This plan belongs in the Captain Obvious category in the areas of recruiting and closing the gap with Clemson. But it completely misses South Carolina’s biggest issue.
Strength and conditioning.
South Carolina’s program, relatively speaking, is following a similar trajectory to Florida under Muschamp. Too many injuries. The one decision that would cause the biggest and most immediate improvement for South Carolina is for Muschamp to end his long relationship with strength and conditioning coach Jeff Dillman.
This article was on the SDS home page. Just saw from the other SC articles below that Dillman is apparently on the way out. It will make a difference.
Step 1 fire Tanner for being an imbecile.
Step 2 fire Muschamp who should never been hired to begin with. Yes the buyout sucks but why give this bum another year to further run our program into the ground? Just pay the man and be done with him. Worst coaching decision/ contract in school history.
Maybe I’m wrong..but why would he want Chad Morris..his offense at Arkansas was terrible…I know he didn’t have much talent there…but he looked completely lost…even against competition Arkansas should have blown out…
Hire Chad Morris and hope for the best. Offer him whatever he wants and give it 2 years. With Dillman gone injuries should go down Morris would add a much needed recruiting boost and I’d expect a huge turnaround. I’m actually kind of optimistic that we could actually improve alot if these changes are made it’s good to see Muschamp making moves though just hope we can capitalize. This season could turn out to be a blessing in disguise
I was in sheer amazement that Muschamp even got another head coaching job in the SEC. Muschamp has always been in over his head. He is a great recruiter on the defensive side of the ball, but neglects the offense. Recruits, but doesn’t develop. Should never be more than a Defensive Coord.
There is only 1 (one) step required to improve South Carolina football in 2020: FIRE MUSCHAMP’S SORRY ASS!