Not even the coronavirus could save Agent Muschamp.
University of South Carolina Director of Athletics Ray Tanner announced Sunday that Will Muschamp is no longer the head football coach, effective immediately. With this announcement, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
“After a thorough assessment of our football program, we have decided to make a change with the head football coach,” said Tanner. “I appreciate all that Will Muschamp has done for our program and wish him and his family the best moving forward. I believe our program will be well served by Coach Bobo as the interim head coach as we search for a new leader for Gamecock Football.”
UofSC President Bob Caslen and Tanner met with the coaching staff and student-athletes on Sunday to inform them of the change.
“I appreciate everything Coach Muschamp has done for our University. He is a true professional and strong advocate for our student-athletes,” said Caslen. “Under his leadership, our football players excelled in the classroom and served as mentors in the community. Will also brought much-needed stability to the program. However, I believe it is time to move in a different direction.”
A search for a new head football coach will begin immediately.
“We will begin a search immediately to find the best head coach for Carolina football,” added Tanner. “We have great facilities, a passionate fan base, a University that is committed to excellence in football and a support system that is second to none in developing student-athletes. We will be looking for someone with the energy, commitment and organizational skills that can move our program to a championship level.”
“Our search for a new head football coach begins today, and I have every confidence that Coach Tanner will find the right person to lead our program,” added Caslen. “A vibrant athletics program is integral to the college experience. I know how much football means to our students, faculty, alumni, and donors; I share that passion. Our priority remains winning a championship at the University of South Carolina.”
Muschamp was in his fifth season as South Carolina’s head coach with a record of 28-30, including a 2-5 mark this season. He is also the only coach to take the Gamecocks to bowl games in each of his first three seasons.
What a rich legacy he leaves behind! It’s only too bad he leaves before his good buddy Kirby Smart could give him one last chance at redemption.
Not trying to be too snarky here. By all accounts, when he’s not on the field, Muschamp’s a good guy. It’s not like he hasn’t been taken care of, either.
No doubt he’ll be somebody’s defensive coordinator next season, ’cause college football’s always gonna college football.
South Carolina, on the other hand, is a worthy target for sarcasm. The early leader to succeed Boom is Liberty’s Hugh Freeze, assuming he can get past Greg Sankey’s delicate sensibilities.
Freeze is the leader in the clubhouse, and the clubhouse isn’t very big. Think of it this way: Perhaps South Carolina opened because Freeze is successful and available. Freeze is an accomplished SEC head coach who needs a lifeline out of Liberty after the way he exited Ole Miss. The Flames are undefeated and ranked for the first time in school history. There isn’t a buyout that can keep Freeze at Liberty, especially when an SEC school is involved. Freeze signed an extension through 2026 last week. It doesn’t matter. Common sense would dictate that Freeze’s moral failings at Ole Miss have been mitigated by a car wash through Liberty. There might not even be a phone call to Flames athletic director Ian McCaw.
Praise the Lord! Dabo vs. Freeze, in the Sanctimony Bowl, college football’s newest meteor game.
Oh, one other reason Freeze is the likely first choice?
Both Muschamp and Freeze are represented by super agent Jimmy Sexton.
Remember, coaches may come and coaches may go, but Jimmy Sexton is eternal.
