South Carolina has completely reshaped its offensive staff in just a few months, parting ways with offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, offensive coordinator Mike Shula, and running backs coach Marquel Blackwell. That level of turnover doesn’t suggest patience — it signals urgency. With South Carolina and TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles reportedly “nearing a deal,” another familiar name is surfacing: his longtime partner Jimmy Smith. If the Gamecocks secure Briles and add Smith as part of the package, the program could radically redefine its offensive identity heading into 2026.
The Briles Blueprint
During his two seasons at TCU, Briles has engineered one of the most efficient offenses in the country. In 2024, the Horned Frogs finished eighth nationally in passing offense with 312.9 yards per game, ranked third in fourth-down conversions, and landed 13th in red-zone efficiency. Under Briles’ guidance, quarterback Josh Hoover set a new TCU single-season record with 3,949 passing yards — and followed it with 3,472 more in 2025.
This level of output fits a pattern seen throughout Briles’ career. Whether at Arkansas, Florida State, Houston, FAU, or Baylor, his offenses consistently delivered year-to-year improvement, pairing explosive playmaking with strong balance.
At Arkansas in 2022, for example, Briles’ offense ranked seventh in the nation in rushing and 15th in total offense. The Razorbacks were one of only three FBS programs to average more than 230 yards both on the ground and through the air.
That kind of balance is essential in the SEC — and it’s exactly where Jimmy Smith becomes important.
Why Jimmy Smith Matters
If Briles is the designer, then Jimmy Smith is the technician who brings the vision to life.
Smith is currently the running backs coach at TCU, joining the Horned Frogs in March 2024. Before that, he coached Arkansas’ running backs for four seasons, including three years alongside Briles from 2020–2022.
In 2022, with Briles calling plays and Smith leading the backs:
- Arkansas ran for 3,077 yards
- Averaged 236.7 yards per game (7th nationally)
- Recorded the 8th-highest rushing total in school history
And in 2021, the Razorbacks:
- Led all Power 5 teams in rushing
- Ranked second nationally at 227.8 yards per game
- Logged 113 runs of 10+ yards
Smith has long been known as a developmental coach. Before entering college coaching, he spent 12 seasons at Cedar Grove High School in Metro Atlanta, where he built the program into a powerhouse with:
- A 67-14-1 record
- Two state championships
- The first two titles in school history
- Multiple state final appearances
Smith is also a Darlington, South Carolina native, a detail that will matter in in-state recruiting circles. And his résumé includes helping develop star running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders at Arkansas.
Pairing Smith with Briles in Columbia would signal a deliberate commitment to a balanced, dual-threat offensive philosophy — one capable of marrying a physical run game with explosive passing production.
Bottom Line
If Shane Beamer completes the hiring of Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator — and brings Jimmy Smith with him — South Carolina could be on the verge of a significant offensive overhaul. Briles offers a proven history of crafting dynamic, high-scoring, balanced attacks at TCU, Arkansas, Baylor, and other top programs. Smith adds crucial expertise in the run game, player development, and recruiting.
Together, they could provide the spark the Gamecocks have been missing as the offense continues to search for stability and identity.
Up next, we’ll break down how a Briles-Smith system would compare to Mike Shula’s 2025 offense, including scheme differences, key statistics, and what fans should realistically expect heading into the 2026 season.
