New South Carolina Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer is starting to put his staff together, announcing a batch of hires over the weekend — with at least one that might raise an eyebrow or two.
Current offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo will be retained, along with a few other holdovers: running backs coach Des Kitchings, defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, and linebackers coach Mike Peterson. Program legend Connor Shaw, who spent time coaching the quarterbacks this past season, will also be on staff in a yet-to-be-announced role off the field.
Newcomers to the program include offensive line coach Will Friend (formerly of Tennessee and an associate of Bobo’s), tight ends coach Erik Kimrey (another Gamecock legend who is making the leap after an incredibly successful high school coaching career at Hammond), and associate head coach/special teams coordinator Pete Lembo (formerly at Memphis).