After a disappointing 4–8 finish, three assistants landing on Santa’s “naughty list,” and South Carolina fans scratching a bowl trip off their holiday wishes, the next wave of changes for Gamecock football is expected to be revealed Thursday morning. South Carolina is closing in on the hiring of three major assistants: TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, TCU offensive line coach Randy Clements, and Penn State running backs coach Stan Drayton.
A Look at the New Faces Joining the Gamecocks
Briles and Clements are both making the move from Fort Worth, where they were part of Sonny Dykes’ staff at TCU. Briles assumed play-calling duties for the Horned Frogs in 2023 after former OC Garrett Riley left for Clemson. Clements arrived at TCU ahead of the 2025 campaign following staff changes at North Carolina. The pair also have shared history at Baylor, where they were previously teamed up on the offensive staff.
Drayton’s journey to Columbia stems from recent staff turnover at Penn State. He worked as the Nittany Lions’ running backs coach but became available after James Franklin was fired, leading to the hiring of former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell. Drayton also brings head coaching experience from his stint at Temple, though his run concluded last fall after posting a 9–25 record over three seasons.
A Full Overhaul of Beamer’s Offensive Staff
The three incoming coaches will step in for Mike Shula, Lonnie Teasley, and Marquel Blackwell. Shula and Teasley were relieved of their duties late in the season, while Blackwell was dismissed shortly after the final game. With these hires, Shane Beamer is clearly signaling a significant reset, aiming to reestablish momentum and stability as the program turns its attention toward the 2026 season.
