Ranking the 10 college football head coaching vacancies
Oct 31, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lorenzo Nunez (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Yep, you got it: SEC bias. One of the biggest reasons why South Carolina ranks No. 2 on the list of available head coaching jobs is its membership in the Southeastern Conference.
Because the Gamecocks play in the SEC, they pay coaches extremely well. Recently resigned Steve Spurrier made $4 million per season, and yes, Spurrier is a Hall of Famer, but don’t expect his replacement to make any less. With a rabid fan base that regularly fills 80,250-seat Williams-Brice Stadium past capacity, and the SEC Network generating additional revenue, the Gamecocks have deeper pockets than anyone else looking for a new head football coach for 2016.
The next coach in Columbia will also have the benefit of terrific facilities. This year, South Carolina spent more than $14 million for a state-of-the-art football facility. Such a magnificent facility is sure to appeal to recruits, and South Carolina is fertile recruiting soil surrounded by even more talent in Georgia and North Carolina, with Florida and Virginia not very far away, either.
Expectations are also manageable. Spurrier oversaw the most successful period in South Carolina football history, and led the Gamecocks to three straight 11-win seasons from 2011 to 2013.
However, the Gamecocks have never won an SEC title and prior to Spurrier’s arrival in Columbia the Gamecocks won 10 games in a single season only once. Also, Carolina has the benefit of playing in the much easier SEC East, so contending for division titles and a spot in the SEC Championship Game won’t be nearly as difficult.
Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier were coaching legends before either took over the South Carolina football program. But with the facilities, fan base, and lack of historic program prestige, the next head coach of the Gamecocks could become a legend in Columbia.
Next: USC