What if Coach Ward Left?

[Travelin]

With all the job openings available in the southeast right now, I would be surprised if Ward is not offered a Head Coaching job very soon. If he does leave, who would you like to see replace him?

A coach already on staff?

E. Johnson maybe?

Another coach altogether?

I've been thinking this could happen for the last few weeks, and especially after the way we stopped clemzun on national tv. Hope Ward stays at USC a long time, but we all know to well how the college coaching carousel works. Especially in the SEC.

[Legalman72]

Let's hope that doesn't happen!

If so, the first man I would consult/interview currently coaches our D-line. I have a feeling he likes things as a D-line coach, but I would at least speak to him.

[B&GSpur]

Bite your tongue!

[Travelin]

Originally Posted by Legalman72

Let's hope that doesn't happen!

If so, the first man I would consult/interview currently coaches our D-line. I have a feeling he likes things as a D-line coach, but I would at least speak to him.

Brad Lawing. I think he's been a Gamecock Asst coach for the last 18 years, or thereabouts.

[Sax1031]

edit: how do you embed on this site? what is the code?

[The Yancey]

Highly doubtful that he would get a HC gig after only one season as DC.

[Travelin]

Originally Posted by The Yancey

Highly doubtful that he would get a HC gig after only one season as DC.

This might be true and I doubt he takes another DC job, but he was very successful this year and all the SEC schools know defense wins games.

I'd like to reiterate that I don't want Ward to go anywhere, but I think he will get some interesting offers in the next week or two. Head Coach or DC. Just too many damn jobs available out there to think otherwise.

Anyone know what Ward made this year and how long is his contract for at USC?

[Carolina4Life]

He hasn't even completed one year as head DC. Nobody at a higher level would take him right now.

[FlorenceCock]

There is pretty much zero chance that he is offered a HC job at a Div 1 school after one season lol.

[markymark550]

Originally Posted by Carolina4Life

He hasn't even completed one year as head DC. Nobody at a higher level would take him right now.

So, beware of the ACC?

[scfanohio]

Wide receiver coaches have been promoted to head coaches in the ACC. Really.

[Travelin]

Originally Posted by FlorenceCock

There is pretty much zero chance that he is offered a HC job at a Div 1 school after one season lol.

His resume isn't all that bad.

Ward was named originally defensive coordinator at South Carolina on January 12, 2009, working under Assistant Head Coach-Defense Ellis Johnson. He focused on the Gamecock cornerbacks in 2011 after being responsible for both the cornerback and free safeties in each of the previous two campaigns.

Ward helped guide a defensive unit that finished the 2011 season with the nation's third-best rated defense, one that surrendered just 268 yards per contest. Carolina boasted the nation's second-best pass defense and ranks 11th in the country, allowing just 18.4 points per game. In addition, Carolina forced 32 turnovers. In his debut as the man in charge of the defense, he limited Nebraska to 13 points and 253 yards of offense, and shut them out over the final three quarters while allowing just 64 yards in the second half of the 2012 Capital One Bowl game.

Ward helped lead a Gamecock defense that scored six defensive touchdowns during the 2010 season, a school record, with two scored by his secondary (Stephon Gilmore, D.J. Swearinger). Gilmore was cited as an All-SEC selection during his sophomore campaign.

In his first season at Carolina, Ward's unit helped the Gamecocks rank eighth in the nation in pass defense. In addition, the Gamecocks finished in the upper half in the SEC in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense. Individually, Gilmore earned first-team Freshman All-America accolades.

Ward came to South Carolina after spending one season as the secondary coach on Bobby Petrino's staff at Arkansas. Prior to that, he was on Art Shell's staff with the NFL's Oakland Raiders in 2006.

[keegthecock]

OK, I will say it.............. Why would Ward leave this year- we are looking at a favorable schedule next year & our best opportunity ever to go undefeated regular season & into the SECCG. Win that & you play for all the marbles.

This year he would be a DC of the 6th ranked team in the SEC, next year there is a very good chance he would be DC of a #1 ranked SEC team.

I am just saying that this is a likely scenario, also my guess is we pump up his salary this year big time.

[MWard]

He only has 1 year as a DC, I don't think he's looking to move laterally. A smaller school might come calling, but we can do what we did for Johnson and make him an Asst. HC.

[AtlGAMECOCK]

I think lawing would be a good d coordinator

[Roosterboy]

Maybe it is already been worked out that Ward is the "coach in waiting" after Spurrier decides to hang up the visor?

[sc455]

"lets hire ward as our hc, look how well their last dc did with the hc job". umm, no.

[TruckGuy]

E. Johnson is lookin for a job now.

[Sax1031]

Originally Posted by TruckGuy

E. Johnson is lookin for a job now.

maybe shouldn't have left us high and dry before the bowl game

[Legalman72]

Originally Posted by Travelin

Brad Lawing. I think he's been a Gamecock Asst coach for the last 18 years, or thereabouts.

Thanks...I know who he is. I didn't think it was necessary to use his name.