In the wake of Tyrone Nix’s odd departure for Ole Miss, South Carolina needed to fill a void at defensive coordinator.
They got their man in Brian VanGorder.
While early whispers had the Gamecocks targeting longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, the hiring of VanGorder seems like the right move.
The Head Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, said VanGorder was the clear choice after interviewing four other unnamed candidates.
South Carolina got off to a great start defensively this year—highlighted by a dominating performance against the Georgia Bulldogs’ high-powered offense...in Athens no less.
As the season went on, however, injuries and youth seemed to take their toll—and the defense all but fell apart, surrendering gaudy numbers to opponents like Arkansas and Florida down the stretch.
Ironically, VanGorder’s last gig in the SEC was at Georgia, where his units were regularly ranked in the top 10 nationally for scoring defense. VanGorder also won the 2003 Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant.
This will be VanGorder's fifth move in as many years, but he's excited about the opportunity the Gamecocks have presented him. As it stands, the coach has a three-year contract, 10 starters returning from last year’s defense, and a head coach who should be able to keep the defense off the field—which was a big problem for this year’s team.
In VanGorder, South Carolina gets a proven commodity with SEC and NFL experience. While the Gamecocks took a big step backward this year, the VanGorder hire should help solidify their defensive unit.
Spurrier, meanwhile, will finally get to see his offensive recruits play bigger roles in 2008.
With so much talk about offense and defense, special teams is often overlooked. Nic Gulas finds this disrespectful, and gives some insight to a player who teams will be sorry later if they overlook him. (Read More)
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6 months ago
Van Gorder is always "excited about the opportunity", and that's the problem. He's always excited about the "next" opportunity.
6 months ago
I think it's unfair to lump VanGorder in with Petrino. He had a lot of success at GA, took a head coaching job he wasn't ready for, went to the NFL, and now he's back where he wants to be--in the SEC. For his resume's sake, he has to make it work at SC.
6 months ago
Did I lump him in with Petrino? I don't think I even said Petrino's name, did I? What I said was he's always excited about the next opportunity, and his track record proves that. I didn't say he would lie to someone's face or take a coward way out like Petrino, but the grass is always greener.
6 months ago
I hope VanGorder works out. The defense was supposed to be the strongest link for the Gamecocks this season, but failed to live up to the hype.
I personally woudl have rather seen Charlie Strong become DC, especially if he was one of the unnamed interviews.
Keep up the good work.
6 months ago
I can't imagine Charlie Strong would leave the Gators for another run as DC in Columbia. I think he's holding out for a head coaching job--perhaps after next year's run at the title down in Gainesville.
The Gamecock defense was very young, and they return so much. I think VanGorder will be a great fit...and it doesn't hurt that he'll inherit so many quality players.
Thanks for reading.
5 months ago
Tim, aren't we as Gamecock fans excited about a new coordinator.
I despised Nix. He was a good guy and all and Spurrier's friend, but let's face it . . .our defense pure sucked the last half of the season.
It started with the second half in Chapel Hill.
5 months ago
And why in the world would Houston Nutt hire a guy who gave up over 500 rushing yards? And he got a raise!
SEC keeps getting richer; it's almost ridiculous.
5 months ago
Vangorder is a real good coach, as a Dawg fan I liked what he produced but you have to be a little reserved with the track record was it 5 jobs in 5 years? You never know maby he is flakey enough to jell with Spurrier. Don't really have anything to go on but I had to wonder if he left UGA cause he and Mark Richt had somekind of falling out. I wish him success at SC, just not against the Dawgs.
5 months ago
SC had their success against GA this season, when the D was healthy. It will be tough to do the same in next year.
The track record is a bit odd, but he left for a head coaching position and then the NFL, both good opportunities. He has made it clear that he wants Columbia to be his home. I think it's a good match.
Thanks for the post.
4 months ago
took over
4 months ago
That's funny.
Ironically, Spurrier's 2nd choice, Ellis Johnson, probably turns out to be a better hire anyway.
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