Will Muschamp a candidate for South Carolina head coaching job

Former Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp could be the next head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Will Muschamp could be headed back to the SEC East.

The former head coach of the Florida Gators and current defensive coordinator of the Auburn Tigers is a candidate for the vacant South Carolina job, according to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman.

Feldman previously reported Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is a leading candidate to take the job left open after the mid-season resignation by Steve Spurrier.

Muschamp went 28-21 with a 17-15 record in the SEC in four seasons with Florida, but went 10-13 in his last two years after going 11-2 with a Sugar Bowl appearance and a top 10 ranking in the final top 25 polls.

Muschamp is in the first year as the defensive coordinator with the Auburn Tigers, but it was a disappointing return to The Plains for Muschamp who didn’t get the results expected of the preseason pick to win the SEC.

Auburn’s defense ranks 11th in scoring defense and rush defense, 12th in pass defense, 13th in total defense, sacks and opponents third down percentage. That isn’t exactly the bounce-back performance Muschamp was hoping for to get another head coaching opportunity.

Muschamp’s familiarity with the SEC, particularly the SEC East could be an asset for him in getting the job, but if he does get the job, he’ll have to prove he can field a competent offense after years of futility at Florida.

Muschamp went through three offensive coordinators in four years at Florida and couldn’t fix Jeff Driskel during his time in Gainesville. With South Carolina not having a proven commodity at quarterback with true freshman Lorenzo Nunez the likely starter next year, Muschamp could be repeating history if he is offered and accepts this job at South Carolina.

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However, if would seem if Muschamp and Smart are the leading candidates, South Carolina could repeat history and take another shot on a former Florida head coach who didn’t have much success after leaving The Swamp.