South Carolina reportedly fires key assistant from offensive staff
South Carolina is moving on from running backs coach Montario Hardesty, according to a report from 247Sports.
The move comes after the Gamecocks had the one of worst running games in the SEC and country, averaging a conference-worst 85.1 yards per game on the ground. The program’s leading rusher this season was Mario Anderson with 707 yards rushing.
RB coach Montario Hardesty has been fired at South Carolina, per @TheBigSpur247. Gamecocks ranked last in the SEC in rushing this season and close to last in the FBS. https://t.co/aXiKdmjG3v
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) January 3, 2024
Hardesty had been with the program since 2021. Hardesty played his college ball at Tennessee from 2005-2009. He went on to play for the Cleveland Browns for 2 seasons in the NFL.
There is some help on the way at running back, however. Raheim Sanders transferred to South Carolina from Arkansas. Former North Texas running back Oscar Adaway III is also transferring to Columbia. South Carolina also has 3-star signee Matthew Fuller on the way.
South Carolina missed out on bowl season with a 5-7 record. It was the 1st time during the Shane Beamer era that South Carolina didn’t reach a bowl game. South Carolina had been to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in 2021 and 2022 Gator Bowl under Beamer.