COLUMBIA — Jon Hoke played defensive back in college, and specialized in that area during a 13-year stint as an assistant in the NFL. But the influence of South Carolina’s new co-defensive coordinator clearly extends beyond the corners, safeties, and spurs he works with most directly at USC.
The primary reason for the optimism infusing a defense which last season finished next to last in the SEC? It starts with the Gamecocks’ new assistant coach.
“Confidence came in with coach Hoke bringing in a whole new playbook,” said junior nose tackle Abu Lamin. “It’s just more of an attack.