Spurrier hires O-line coach
Steve Spurrier did not wait long to settle on his new offensive line coach.
Spurrier has hired Appalachian State line coach Shawn Elliott to take over for Eric Wolford, who left after one season at South Carolina to become the head coach at Youngstown State, USC announced Sunday.
The news comes a day after the Gamecocks lost 20-7 to Connecticut in the Papajohns.com Bowl.
Elliott, 36, a Camden native who played at Appy State and has spent his entire coaching career at the Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse, interviewed with Spurrier last week in Columbia before the Gamecocks left for bowl game in Birmingham, Ala.
“He really wanted this job,” Spurrier told The State in a phone interview. “He watched the game yesterday and sent me a text (that said), ‘Coach, I can help this team.’ And I think he can. He’s an intense guy, from all I know about him.”
Spurrier said Elliott will receive a 2-year deal and will also have the title of run game coordinator, as Wolford did. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“He didn’t ask for much. He didn’t even ask what he’s making. That’s the kind of guys I like,” Spurrier said. “He knew it’d be more than what he was making. I like those kind of guys. I was sort of that way myself at one time, and that’s the way you start out, I think.”
Elliott, Appy’s line coach since 2001, helped guide the Mountaineers to three consecutive national championships from 2005-07. Over the past nine seasons, Elliott’s players have earned All-American honors 12 times.
Spurrier said Elliott’s track record, as well as Appy’s, were impressive.
And while Elliott is happy to return home, he is more excited about to prove himself at a higher level with a “great university.”
“That’s always in the back of a coach’s mind, especially if you’re coaching at the D-II or FCS level,” Elliott said. “You want to see if what you’ve been doing and what you’re teaching your kids will work at the next level.”
Elliott was the first player in Appy State history to appear in the FCS (known then as Division I-AA) playoffs in four seasons between 1991-95.
Elliott saw one of his players, right tackle Jonathan Bieschke, earn first-team, All-American honors in 2008, and coached three consecutive recipients of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy – given to the Southern Conference’s top offensive lineman – from 2005-07.
96 Comments to “Spurrier hires O-line coach”
Leave a Reply
USC football beat writer Joe Person has covered the Gamecocks since the start of the 2002 season. He's been on the college football beat since 1993. 
Great, great hire and anyone who doubts it isn’t too smart (or a Clemson fan- wait, that’s the same thing isn’t it). The point is, this guy coached his players to perform outstandingly against their peers. Doesn’t mean jack that he hasn’t coached division 1. Way to go Steve!
This is crazy…Mike Leach is out there now and he is not old and washed up…Steve would rather play gold in GA than coach football in SC,,,,,
All you constantly complaining Gamecock Fan’s need to go get there Graduate Degree at another school, and spare us of all your negative energy by cheering for someone else. Who do you all think will bring our program more national exposure (8 ESPN Games this season) than Steve Spurrier. Look at the history of our program, and get a reality check of how far we’ve come.. Ignorant fans like this make me sick, and all the horrible grammar in your post are an embarrassment to any school. Please stop trying to write your opinion’s w/out at least a 3rd grade English Teacher proof reading your post’s.
All you constantly complaining Gamecock Fan’s need to go get there Graduate Degree at another school, and spare us of all your negative energy by cheering for someone else. Who do you all think will bring our program more national exposure (8 ESPN Games this season) than Steve Spurrier. Look at the history of our program, and get a reality check of how far we’ve come.. Ignorant fans like this make me sick, and all the horrible grammar posts are an embarrassment to any school. Please stop trying to write your opinion’s w/out at least a 3rd grade English Teacher proof reading your post’s before you press send. Go Cocks! Love them during the good and bad times, or get another school to cheer for.
All you constantly complaining Gamecock Fan’s need to go get their Graduate Degree at another school, and spare us of all your negative energy by cheering for someone else. Who do you all think will bring our program more national exposure (8 ESPN Games this season) than Steve Spurrier. Look at the history of our program, and get a reality check of how far we’ve come.. Ignorant fans like this make me sick, and all the horrible grammar posts are an embarrassment to any school. Please stop trying to write your opinion’s w/out at least a 3rd grade English Teacher proof reading your post’s before you press send. Go Cocks! Love them during the good and bad times, or get another school to cheer for.
I do not know the new guy- but I will trust Mr Spurrier’s judgement, Lord knows he has had his share of disappointments- mostly from the offensive side of the house: I too watched the UCONN game and was shocked at how close we could come and still not score– This in my opinion was the worse game we played all this season- Gee we looked so much stronger against Florida and Georgia… I say let’s give this guy a whirl- not so quick to shoot him >>>
Re: “We should have top-shelf D-1 coaches knocking down the door to play for SOS and USC.”
Really? Why is that? I love Carolina with all my heart, but in my 50 years, we sure haven’t shown that we’re either a destination job or a wonderful stepping stone to better things! Yes, we’ve had a few successes, but it’s not like every coach is dreaming of the time that he can coach here….
This looks like a solid hire to me; only time will tell if it works out or not. I hope it does!
Wow…so many people think they know EXACTLY what is and what is a mistake in major college football! How many of you worked even ten minutes in a major D-1 program? None of you? That’s what I thought. Maybe we should hire you morons instead – we would only have t pay you $20 an hour! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
USC also needs to worry about linebackers and d-backs,,,,,,where is the help coming from,? def not wr and skilled players,,,,who looks at the board for needs,,??
Spurrier’s been here five years, and he has gotten us bowl eligible five years. Something has got to change. Let’s get back to our Carolina Traditions and fire the coach. We don’t need stability, we prefer turmoil. Embarassing fans.
i don’t care who the guy is as long as he can get the players to play their a$$es off “every” game. Our players act like they’re primadonnas and have know respect for the abilities of other teams. I can’t understand why they don’t listen to the coaches. I’m sure they’re being preached to about effort everyday (HBC has mentioned it every year since he arrived). Bottom line, we need to start recruiting disciplined “football players”, like they have at UCONN, Wisconsin, Iowa etc. Not just athletes with no real football instincts and passion!
not a mistake why hire a big name that is going to leave in a yr. Hire a younger hungy coach looking to excell. i think great hire.
too much emphasis on ol coach.. he’s a young, local guy with good resume at app state;
emphasis needs to be on recruiting..
check out the past nat’l champs:
florida
lsu
florida
texas
usc
u or i could be the ol coach with that kind of talent! oh, by the way, charlie strong will flop at louisville. overrated..
wolford was overrated as well. we really have never been a great running team; 2009-2010 included..
give this guy a chance. just want him to be BIG time recruiter! tired of seeing talented sc players leave the state..
I watched this kid play his rear end off at Camden and he is intense! Like some others have said,look at the discipline at AppSt. If the O line can be motivated he can do it. Give him a chance before you guys get down on him. The main problem at USC is getting tier one line recruits and to do that you need a young fired up guy like Elliot.
All you constantly complaining Gamecock Fan’s need to go get there Graduate Degree at another school, and spare us of all your negative energy by cheering for someone else. Who do you all think will bring our program more national exposure (8 ESPN Games this season) than Steve Spurrier. Look at the history of our program, and get a reality check of how far we’ve come..Go Cocks! Love them during the good and bad times, or get another school to cheer for.
We certainly could have used him yesterday.
i don’t care who the new coach is, if you don’t win bowl games, you don’t get the better players. Coaches don’t play. And thanks to our players, we are losing recruits.
Great job guys, new carolina my a$$
Finally, hit bottom!!
i wonder who the 30 other people who wanted the oline jobs were why not scotty spurrier he needs a job. i dont think spurrier had a list of 30. He will be golfing in 2 years anyway
This appears to be a good hire – time will tell. BUT – it is way past time that Spurrier demands commitment; 100% effort; hard work; discipline; wanting to win; and NO quit from USC football players. Unless the attitude of Spurrier and the players changes – USC will continue to be ‘loser university’ in football. I just do not think that Nick Saban would accept the poor effort by our players in the bowl game – just awful – NOT even wanting to win. That is just NOT acceptable! It ALL starts with Spurrier!
Whatever, GCockFan. No, he’s not my dad, but I’ve known him a long time. I think the intensity Shawn will bring may surprise you. NFL? Good grief. I’d just like to have a couple of all-SEC OL players. One step at at time.
But you can give up and pull for another team if you think this is such a mistake.
I think this guy will work out. To tell the Ol ball coach he “can help this team” takes guts…
“I just do not think that Nick Saban would accept the poor effort by our players in the bowl game – just awful – NOT even wanting to win. That is just NOT acceptable! It ALL starts with Spurrier!”
Um… Alabama lost to Utah last year. Got smoked too.
Then they had a top 5 recruiting class. Everyone calm down. Time will tell, but I’ll take Spurrier’s word for it.
I got back from the PJ bowl today…or should I say the “getto bowl” Dirty…Nasty…Dangours…I’m never going there again…what a bad place to play…
joanne he is not what made app great all those years and never made past a position coach at a d2 school what a joke of a hire give one yaer he will be back in boone. d2 is not the sec, sc should have tried for a proven coach. this guy want help recruiting. the new carolina looks just like the old carolina
Really, USCVWVet? You don’t think Nick Saban would accept poor effort by players in a bowl game?
I guess you missed last year’s Sugar Bowl then. Go get your facts straight, then come back and make your big statements.
Not that he needs it, but Shawn Elliott was mentored by current UGA Offensive Line Coach Stacey Searels…He will do just fine.
alabama is in the championship game so whats your point
This hire is the anti-Wolford hire. Wolford wanted to be a head coach, the new hire wants to be line coach. Wolford wanted to go home, the new coach is coming home.
I don’t get most of our fans. We complain about getting washed up coaches in their twilight and we complain about getting up and coming young coaches.
Spurrier has had some success in hiring some relative unknowns and being successful. Just because a guy is a subdivision coach doesn’t mean he can’t coach.
Coach Spurrier knows what he is doing and Coach Elliott does too. It’s the fans who are clueless!
We all praised USC’s players too much for soundly beating Clemson (just like SOS said). Then, they could not match that intensity for the bowl game.
Congrats to Coach Shawn Elliott. Now, let’s sign some OL studs and prove we can win SEC THIS year!
[...] really wanted this job,”Spurrier told The State in a phone interview. “He watched the game yesterday and sent me a text (that said), ‘Coach, I can help this [...]
I WAS of the opinion I read here from a lot of disgruntled fans. I told my friends and fellow Gamecocks that I will give Spurrier ONE MORE YEAR….Then I reflected, with some assistance, and have decided that WE, USC, need to give our head football coach more than 5 years to rebuild a BROKEN program and establish a level of consistency for recruiting and field performance. We haven’t had a coach for longer than 5 years for 20+ years now. I am NOT happy with where we are, but I believe Spurrier et al. will get us playing respectably and consistently and I hope he stays 5 more years. And, the OL coach hire, I think, will prove to be a strong one effective IMMEDIATELY!!! Go Cocks!
What a great find!! I look for that kind of attitude and desire every day in my business…I only hire people who have a “PHD” that stands for Poor/Hungry and Determined…way to go Mr. Spurrier and GO Cocks!!
Who cares! This is a carbon of 113 past football seasons. Another same old, same old Carolina team. Broken hearts everywhere. Now we can be excited about the only USC team to ever acheive a NC – our Equestrian Team! Oh yes, The OLD BALL COACH can get ready for another spring season on the links. Augusta National is never more beautiful! Sea Isand is manicured to perfection. Come on down Steve.
He has a excellent track record and he want’s to be here. How is this a bad hire. Go Cocks.
Not one person has ever referred to App State as Appy State. Please do not ever refer to them as Appy State again, it sounds rediculous.
and for TScheatzle, learn the difference between there, their, and they’re…talk about a 3rd grade education
Randzilla,
Google “Appy State.” It comes up in headlines from ESPN, The Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Chattanooga newspaper and others.
[...] Shawn Elliott from Appalachian State to replace Eric Wolford.12. Spurrier liked the fact that Elliott didn’t even ask what he would be making when told of his hire.13. Elliott and the rest of the Gamecock staff will need to find some talent [...]
This is a great hire. This coach is hungry for success and demands discipline out of his players. On the recruiting front – most of the best players on App State’s teams the past few years are from SC.
Joe – no one even remotely associated with the only university in the Carolinas to have more than one NCAA national championship trophy on their wall refers to App as Appy State. Please learn how to write. Once you have done that, Youtube “Armanti Edwards” and get an education on what an offense is supposed to look like.
Joe..you can google about anything and that still does not make it correct.
No one at App ever says that they went to Appy St. This all started in the late 90’s when App St. would get on ESPN and the uninformed announcers and programmers would list Appy St. as the moniker.
Now you are no longer ignorant about how to refer to App St. Being ignornant is not shameful. Knowing the truth and embracing one’s ignorance is.
Great Hire! Give him two years and then you guys can kick Coach Elliott or praise him. And yes to the nut who started this post and those of you who have no clue it is APP ST., ask Michigan. Good call Google Armanti Edwards and watch the lineman. One last point the core of our teams for the last few years are from SC. Go Gamecocks!
I have been informed. I will never write or type the words Ap– State again. App it is.
Sounds like a great hire to me. Didn’t App St. unpset Michigan a couple of years ago? Not certain if this guy was around then or not, but something has been going right with that team for years now.
I still think a vodoo ceremony is in order to bring back the spirit of old Joe, Black Magic and the Fire Ants!
Sorry but not as excited as many here. It’s all about money for these guys and they could really care less about the hopes and dreams of fans and the players.