COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina fired head football coach Will Muschamp on Sunday, following the team’s third consecutive loss of the shortened 2020 season and his overall 28-30 record in five years leading the Gamecocks.
“Our search for a new head coach begins today, and I have every confidence that Coach Tanner will find the right person to lead our program,” Bob Caslen, the university’s president, told WACH, referencing Athletics Director Ray Tanner.
According to the terms of Muschamp’s contract, ESPN reported that his buyout was “in the $15 million range if he were to be fired at the end of this season.”
Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo, the former head coach at Colorado State University, has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Bobo will join Tanner and select student-athletes for a 10 a.m. video conference address on Monday, WACH reported.
“After a thorough assessment of our football program, we have decided to make a change with the head football coach,” Tanner said in a statement. “I appreciate all that Will Muschamp has done for our program and wish him and his family the best moving forward. I believe our program will be well served by Coach Bobo as the interim head coach as we search for a new leader for Gamecock Football.”
Muschamp recorded 22 wins in his first three seasons, more than any coach in school history, but the Gamecocks have lost 14 of their past 20 games, ESPN reported.
Tanner and Caslen, informed the players and staff of the coaching change during a Sunday meeting, the sports news network reported.
“I appreciate everything Coach Muschamp has done for our University. He is a true professional and strong advocate for our student-athletes,” Caslen said. “Under his leadership, our football players excelled in the classroom and served as mentors in the community. Will also brought much-needed stability to the program. However, I believe it is time to move in a different direction.”
The decision was announced after the team’s 59-42 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday night, translating to a 2-5 start to the 2020 season and a three-game losing streak during which the Gamecocks allowed a total of 159 points and “gave up 708 yards of total offense in the loss to Ole Miss,” ESPN reported.