Columbia, SC — Will Muschamp said in his first address as head football coach for the University of South Carolina Monday that he was focused on recruiting the best players and coaches.
Athletics Director Ray Tanner said the university was proud to welcome Muschamp because he had a lot of characteristics that the school was looking for in a football coach.
“We wanted someone who could coach and teach, there’s not a question about that with coach Muschamp,” Tanner said. “He gives us an opportunity to be at the top of our conference and be in the national conversation.”
“I’m thrilled to be your head football coach,” Will Muschamp said.
The 34th head football coach for the Gamecocks said winning championships was on his agenda.
“We embrace everything as far as expectations of winning championships here in Columbia, that’s going to happen,” Muschamp said.
Muschamp, 44, comes to South Carolina from Auburn, where he served as the defensive coordinator after being fired from Florida.
Muschamp was the head coach of the Gators for four years.
He has more than 20 years of coaching experience under his belt and also worked as a defensive coordinator at LSU when that team won the national championship in 2003.
He may be best known for his recruiting abilities.
“If you don’t think I can recruit, look at (my wife) and look at me,” the coach joked. “I can sell ice to an Eskimo.”
Muschamp said he would toward having the best recruits in the states on the field and the best coach on the sidelines.
He said he would get on the road before the week was over to begin recruiting.
When asked about the recruiting race with Clemson, Muschamp said “We’re just going to worry about the University of South Carolina.”
Muschamp said he would also encourage athletes to succeed academically.
“I’m big on accountability,” the new head coach said of his players, in terms of academic performance.
Earlier on Monday, the university’s board of trustees approved a 5-year, $16 million deal to lead the Gamecocks football program.
The contract pays $3 million in the first year and increases each year by $100,000. Click here to read more details about the contract
Muschamp takes the reigns from Shawn Elliott, who was named interim head coach in October after former head coach Steve Spurrier retired in the middle of his 11th season.
Spurrier won 86 games as head coach.
WIS-TV reports that Muschamp will keep Elliot on as the Gamecocks’ offensive line coach.
At the close of the news conference to officially introduce Muschamp, Ray Tanner had a message for any fans who were on the fence about the fire.
“We got our man. We got a Gamecock. Buckle up, get on board, and let’s go,” Tanner said.
