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South Carolina Football: Top 3 candidates to replace Will Muschamp

By Dante Pryor

Cajuns Head Football Coach Billy Napier speaking with media during the Football media day. Aug. 1, 2019.Cajuns Football Media Day 1338
Cajuns Head Football Coach Billy Napier speaking with media during the Football media day. Aug. 1, 2019.Cajuns Football Media Day 1338 /
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Cajuns head coach Billy Napier on the sideline as Louisiana Ragin Cajuns take on the Miami University Redhawks in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, AL. Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.Cajuns Miami Lending Tree Bowlv4 3582
Cajuns head coach Billy Napier on the sideline as Louisiana Ragin Cajuns take on the Miami University Redhawks in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, AL. Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.Cajuns Miami Lending Tree Bowlv4 3582 /

1. Billy Napier, Louisiana HC

If the Gamecocks want the biggest name in the Group of Five this side of Luke Fickell, Billy Napier would be the next man. There could be an argument Napier does not have the experience to coach an SEC team with just three seasons at Louisiana, but hiring him means plucking from both the Nick Saban and Dabo Swiney tree.

Though Napier has never been a head coach in the SEC, the Cookeville, Tenn., native has made his way through the SEC as an assistant coach, even spending time as the quarterbacks coach at South Carolina in 2005.

More famously, Napier had two tours at Alabama; the first time as an offensive analyst in 2005 and second as wide receivers coach from 2013-16.

Before going to Alabama in 2005, Napier was tight ends coach and promoted to offensive coordinator at Clemson in 2009. In two seasons in Lafayette, Napier has constructed one of the better Group of Five programs in the country. Before Napier, the Ragin’ Cajuns were 15-22 with one bowl appearance in the three seasons. Since Napier has been in Lafayette, the Cajuns are 25-11 with two bowl appearances on the verge of a third.

Napier is a change of pace from Muschamp as an offensive coach and has a much more laid back personality. This could be a fit for both Napier and South Carolina.