Will Muschamp: If You Don't Think I Can Recruit, Look At (My Wife) And Look At Me [PHOTOS]
PETE IACOBELLI, AP Sports Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — New South Carolina coach Will Muschamp is ready for his second chance in the Southeastern Conference.
The former Florida coach was introduced to the Gamecock community Monday, after university trustees approved his 5-year, $16 million contract earlier Monday morning. Muschamp is hoping to turn around a Gamecocks program that has slipped the last two seasons under longtime leader Steve Spurrier.
Muschamp said Spurrier, another ex-Gator coach, had raised the level of expectations for the Gamecocks to compete for championships.
"That's going to happen," Muschamp said of competing for titles and winning championships, adding that he's not going to try and do it the way Spurrier did it.
"There's only one coach Spurrier," he said. "I need to be Will Muschamp."
The coach said he's better prepared for his second coaching opportunity in the competitive league.
"It's kind of like marriage," Muschamp said. "That first year, there's a little adjustment. By that fifth year, you're doing a little better."
Muschamp spent four seasons at Florida before he was fired after last season. He worked as Auburn's defensive coordinator this past fall.
South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner expects Muschamp to remain with the Gamecocks "for a long, long time."
"We look forward to a quick restoration of being in the top 10 and Will is the man who can do it," said trustee Chuck Allen, a former South Carolina football player.
Muschamp has a rare second try to make that happen.
He was 28-21 in four seasons at Florida. He looked like he had the Gators heading in the right direction when he won 11 games in his second season in 2012. But Muschamp went 12-13 the next two seasons, including 7-9 in the SEC.
Muschamp was dismissed after losing to South Carolina last year, his offensively challenged Gators giving up a late lead and losing at The Swamp in overtime.
"It didn't end the way we wanted it, but we left it better than when we started," Muschamp said of his tenure at Florida, which won the SEC East this year.
The fiery Muschamp led the Auburn defense this past fall. His most memorable moment may have come in the Iron Bowl last month as he yelled at officials loud enough to draw a 15-yard penalty. Auburn personnel had to hold Muschamp back during the tirade.
The Gamecocks maybe could use a little fire.
The team looked lackluster early in the season, leading to Spurrier's resignation in mid-October. Interim coach Shawn Elliott imbued some energy into the program. Still, the Gamecocks lost their final five games including a 23-22 loss to FCS opponent Citadel.
Muschamp's contract pays him $3 million in the first year, increases each year after by $100,000 and contains a variety of incentives.
The deal also includes a buyout on a sliding scale. If Muschamp leaves in the first of the contract, he would have to pay the school $7 million; if he left in the final year of the deal, he would owe South Carolina $3 million.
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