South Carolina football is pushing toward a defining moment in its search for an offensive coordinator, and all signs continue to point toward one name rising above the rest: Kendal Briles. According to multiple program insiders, head coach Shane Beamer is making an aggressive push to secure Briles — and this time, the belief is that he must land him.
Briles Moves Into Pole Position for South Carolina’s OC Job
With the 2025 season behind them — and after a disappointing offensive performance — the Gamecocks appear to be zeroing in on a big shake-up. Sources now say Kendal Briles, currently the offensive coordinator at TCU Horned Frogs, has emerged as the frontrunner to take over as South Carolina’s next offensive coordinator. On3+2Garnet and Cocky+2
Multiple recent reports indicate that a deal could be finalized very soon, possibly before the end of the week. Frogs O’ War+1
For context: Briles has spent recent years at TCU, running its offense under head coach Sonny Dykes. Despite ups and downs, his teams have generally produced high-powered offenses: in 2025 TCU ranked third in the Big 12 in passing yards per game, though they struggled overall.
For South Carolina, the pursuit is about more than filling a vacancy. It’s about reshaping the program’s identity with one of college football’s most proven architects of explosive, modern offense.
Why South Carolina Is Pursuing Him — And What’s at Stake
The interest in Briles isn’t random. The Gamecocks offense this season has been abysmal: averaging only ~302 yards per game, near the bottom of the SEC, and managing to score more than 24 points in an SEC game just twice.
That underperformance triggered a staff overhaul. Newly fired are long-time coaches: the former offensive coordinator Mike Shula, the offensive line coach, and the running backs coach — reflecting just how badly things have gone.
Against that backdrop, Briles represents hope: he’s known for fast-paced, spread-style offenses, and for revitalizing units with fresh schemes that maximize both passing and situational efficiency. Garnet and Cocky+1
For South Carolina, whose 2026 schedule looms bristling with SEC powerhouses (think games at or against top programs), the urgency is real. A capable OC could determine whether the program rebounds — or continues to spiral. Garnet and Cocky+
A Track Record of High-Octane Success
Briles has built his reputation across several major stops — Baylor, FAU, Houston, and Arkansas — consistently producing attacks that rank among the nation’s best. His offenses don’t rely on one gimmick or a single strength. Instead, Briles blends raw speed, tempo, RPO concepts, vertical passing threats, and a punishing run game.
While he’s widely known for stretching defenses sideline to sideline and pushing the ball deep, Briles’ ability to compliment that with physicality is what makes him especially appealing in the SEC. Under his play-calling at Arkansas, the Razorbacks finished Top 10 nationally in rushing, proving that his scheme can dominate on the ground while still generating explosive plays through the air.
It’s the kind of versatility South Carolina has lacked — and the kind that can change a program’s trajectory.
A Pre-Built Connection Inside the Building
Another major factor working in Beamer’s favor is the existing relationship between Briles and South Carolina’s athletic director Jeremiah Donati, with the two having previously worked together at TCU. That familiarity, according to sources, gives the Gamecocks a smoother, faster pathway should negotiations intensify.
In a world where fit matters as much as scheme, having an OC and AD who already understand each other’s expectations and communication style is no small advantage.
What Briles Would Bring to Columbia
If hired, Briles would give South Carolina exactly what fans and analysts have long demanded: a clear, modern offensive identity.
His system is built to:
- Speed up the game with tempo
- Simplify reads for quarterbacks
- Stretch the field with vertical shots
- Use misdirection and leverage in the run game
- Attract high-level playmakers who want to play in a dynamic system
This isn’t just about yards and points — it’s about re-energizing an offense that has struggled with consistency, creativity, and explosiveness.
Briles’ approach creates pressure on defenses from the opening snap. His units play fast, stay aggressive, and build momentum quickly, a philosophy that aligns with Beamer’s desire to give the Gamecocks a sharper, more dangerous offensive edge.
A Statement of Intent for the Program
If South Carolina ultimately locks in Briles, the hire would send a clear message across the SEC: the Gamecocks intend to be aggressive, innovative, and unapologetically ambitious.
It signals a commitment to an identity — one centered on big-play potential, adaptability, and modern football concepts that can compete with the league’s best.
This would not be a conservative move or a stopgap. It would be a swing for upside, for explosiveness, and for a future where South Carolina’s offense becomes a reason opponents lose sleep.
The ceiling with Briles is undeniably high — and Beamer appears determined to bring that potential to Columbia.
But there are real challenges:
- South Carolina’s offensive woes in 2025 weren’t just about play-calling. The offensive line has been a major problem — frequent penalties, poor protection, sacks, and lack of run blocking. Even the best coordinator struggles under those conditions. dailygamecock.com+1
- The Gamecocks have lacked stability: in recent years, multiple different offensive coordinators have come and gone, which makes it harder for any system to “take root.” dailygamecock.com+1
- Even if Briles is good on paper, success depends on buy-in, roster talent (especially O-line), and time — things that may or may not align
