Report: Will Muschamp Reaches Deal to be Next South Carolina Head Coach

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

South Carolina is rolling the dice on another former Florida Gators head coach. Per reports, Will Muschamp has reached an agreement to become the next Gamecocks head coach.

Muschamp has spent much of his football life in the SEC first as a Georgia Bulldogs safety (1991-1994) and later as a defensive coordinator guiding defenses at LSU from 2001-2004. Muschamp spent two seasons as defensive coordinator at Auburn (2006-07) and three seasons as DC at Texas (2008-10) before being named the head coach at Florida in 2011.

The days in Gainesville produced mixed results with an 11-2 season in 2012 a couple of 7-5 and 7-6 seasons and a hot seat producing 4-8 year in 2013. The Gators got rid of Muschamp at the end of the 2014 regular season hiring Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain but much of McElwain’s success in 2015 after winning the SEC East title was predicated on Muschamps’ defense.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn thought he had found the missing piece to his offensive brilliance hiring Muschamp after his dismissal from Florida. Trouble for the Tigers, the defense did not have enough playmakers and the offense stalled not living up to usual expectations posting a 6-6, 2-6, record in 2015.

The Gamecocks had the proverbial rug pulled out from underneath the program when longtime head coach Steve Spurrier retired in the middle of the season after a 45-24 road loss to LSU. The Gamecocks were 2-4 after the Oct. 10 defeat to LSU finishing 3-9, 1-7, on the season losing their final five games. Interim head coach Shawn Elliott had the Gamecocks playing competitively losing their final five games by an average margin of 4.3 points. A 23-22 loss to FCS program Citadel was a downturn for USC but the team rebounded pushing No. 1 Clemson the following week before falling 37-32.

The report from the Associated Press claims Muschamp could be announced on Sunday or on Monday. Terms of the deal have not been finalized.

Muschamp posted a 28-21 record at Florida over a four year period. Spurrier left USC with an 86-49 overall record guiding the Gamecocks to three 11-win seasons (2011-13) at the height of his success with South Carolina.

Photo credit: trackemtigers; Will Muschamp (left) shakes hands with Steve Spurrier (right) while Muschamp was with Florida.