Former Gamecocks coach Muschamp lands at Georgia as analyst

Posted February 03, 2021 6:00 am

By CHARLES ODUM

Former South Carolina coach Will Muschamp has accepted an off-field position at Georgia, his alma mater, as an analyst on Kirby Smart's staff.

Smart said Wednesday that Muschamp, also a former Florida head coach, will focus on defense. He played at Georgia as a defensive back from 1991-94 and is a former defensive coordinator at Auburn, Louisiana State and Texas.

'œIt's very valuable to have a guy who has been a head coach in two different places in our conference,'ť Smart said. 'œHe knows the ins and outs of this conference. He can help our staff, our coaches, in a lot of ways. I'm excited to be able to have him join us.'ť

Muschamp was fired by South Carolina midway through the 2020 season. The Gamecocks were 2-5 when the firing was announced on Nov. 15, leaving him 28-30 in his fifth season. Muschamp is 58-51 overall, including 28-21 at Florida from 2011-14.

'œHe's already made a lot of strides in terms of helping me, helping our staff,'ť Smart said. 'œHe's going to be able to help coach the coaches.'ť

Muschamp's role as analyst may be only a short-term situation. Smart said Muschamp, 49, plans to seek another coaching position.

'œI would say any time you're an aspiring coach, you want to get on the field,'ť Smart said. 'œYou want an opportunity to go coach on the grass. I know he is not through with his coaching days. That's really important for him to be able to get out there and have the relationships and go develop a position group and go coach."

Smart said Muschamp's position at Georgia was finalized last week.

Another former Georgia player and assistant coach, Mike Bobo, served as South Carolina's interim coach after Muschamp was fired. Following the season, Frank Beamer was hired as coach.

Muschamp's son, Jackson, is a walk-on quarterback at Georgia.

'œHis family has been his focus recently,'ť Smart said. 'œI know he feels like he has moved his family all over the country. This is an opportunity for him to get back with them and be with them and be able to watch his son play.'ť

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FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart talks to reporters during a Sugar Bowl NCAA college news conference in New Orleans, in this Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, file photo. The National signing day period begins Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) The Associated Press

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