Will Muschamp might have learned from his mistakes at Florida after all
When Will Muschamp replaced Steve Spurrier at South Carolina, the decision was greeted with mixed reviews.
In four seasons at Florida, Muschamp coached the Gators to a relatively lackluster 28-21 record — noted by a 4-8 disaster in 2013. The proud program hadn’t finished a schedule under .500 since way back in 1979.
Fortunately for USC fans, there is evidence to suggest that Muschamp has changed the way he runs his team.
With a reputation as one of the best defensive minds at the college level, Florida finished fifth, second, second and fifth in the SEC in total defense during Muschamp’s tenure from 2011-14. His D could shut down any attack.
But on the other side of the football, the Gators were vile — 10th, 12th, 14th and 12th in total offense.
Muschamp churned through three offensive coordinators in four seasons. Charlie Weis, Brent Pease and Kurt Roper all came to town with a certain degree of fanfare, yet none was able to move the ball consistently.
Word eventually surfaced that Muschamp, despite him being a defensive guy, was micromanaging the offense.
Weis arrived wearing Super Bowl rings. Boise State was a juggernaut under Pease. Roper’s last year at Duke resulted in the No. 4 attack in the ACC. Why didn’t Muschamp get out of the way and do what he does best?
Roper (below) is now working for Muschamp again as OC of the Gamecocks. He finally appears to have some autonomy.
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
A South Carolina player, speaking with Saturday Down South on condition of anonymity, said the first thing Muschamp told the team was that he learned from his mistakes at Florida and will have nothing to do with the offense. That, Muschamp told the team, will be all Roper.
Saying it is one thing. Actually doing it is another. As a whole, coaches — from high school to the NFL — are control freaks. There aren’t a lot of professions where the word “hubris” is used so liberally.
“Muschamp never came down to the offensive end of the field during the entire month of spring practice,” the player said.
That’s a positive for Roper, who is reconstructing his own rep after an uninspiring one-year run at Florida.
Job 1 for both Muschamp and Roper is finding a quarterback. The Gamecocks started three signal callers in 2015. Connor Mitch transferred. Lorenzo Nunez is a runner, not a passer. Perry Orth is limited.
Brandon McIlwain, a four-star signee from Newtown (Pa.) Council Rock North High School, better be prepared.
An early enrollee who participated in spring practice, McIlwain completed 19-of-26 throws for 169 yards in the Garnet and Black game. The 6-foot, 200-pounder fired two touchdown passes and ran for a third TD.
Still, even if McIlwain is indeed the best choice as a freshman, he needs a good deal of help offensively.
South Carolina’s top ball carrier and top pass catcher from last season, Brandon Wilds and Pharoh Cooper, respectively, are gone. Neither will be easy to replace, especially the brilliant Cooper.
David Williams is the heir apparent in the backfield, but he averaged just 3.5 yards per attempt a year ago.
As for the receiving corps, the Gamecocks don’t return a single player who caught more than 12 passes in 2015. Not only is Cooper now in the NFL, but so is tight end Jerell Adams. He was the clear No. 2 option.
Two intriguing but unproven sophomores, wideout Deebo Samuel and tight end Hayden Hurst, have to emerge.
Muschamp and Co. will surely go through some growing pains in 2016. Don’t be surprised if USC is picked to finish dead last — behind even Missouri and Vanderbilt — in the division come SEC Media Days next month.
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Since McIlwain requires all the support he can get, perhaps Muschamp can make miracles happen defensively.
Unfortunately, he was dealt a crushing blow when all-conference linebacker Skai Moore was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his neck. South Carolina’s leading tackler and key playmaker is sidelined for the year.
No other Gamecocks defender, neither graduated nor returning, was given All-SEC consideration last season.
Additionally, Muschamp’s one year as Auburn’s defensive coordinator was far from fruitful. The Tigers were 13th in total defense, and he had much more premier talent at his disposal on The Plains than he does now.
Anyone expecting Muschamp’s presence alone to turn around USC’s 14th-ranked unit needs a dose of reality.
But one thing Muschamp (below) did fix instantly was the laissez-faire attitude that manifested during Spurrier’s swan song. The Head Ball Coach’s sudden resignation was evidence of a fire that burned out some time ago.
Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Muschamp is nothing if not intense, and South Carolina could use some intensity following a lifeless 2015.
“It’s a totally different environment now — very old school, in your face, demanding,” the player said. “Whereas with Spurrier, it was very laid back and country club-like.”
We know Muschamp can recruit. His four classes at Florida ranked 11th, fourth, third and ninth nationally, according to 247Sports. He left enough players in Gainesville for new coach Jim McElwain to win the East in Year 1.
While his first recruiting haul at USC was only 24th, his list of commitments for 2017 is currently 16th.
Nevertheless, putting quality players on the field — minus the quarterback position, perhaps — was never Muschamp’s problem with the Gators. Four of his recruits were taken in Round 1 of the previous two drafts.
He just has to get out of his own way. Let his coaches coach. True leaders know how to delegate authority.
With spring ball in the rearview mirror and the countdown to fall camp underway, Muschamp is charged with rebuilding South Carolina. Previously, he was handed the unenviable task of succeeding Urban Meyer at UF.
Many Meyer assistants have moved on to be head coaches. Muschamp’s coaching tree needs stronger branches.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South. You can send him an e-mail directly at jcrist@saturdaydownsouth.com or follow him on Twitter @SaturdayJC.
