Gamecocks lose two from coaching staff

By Joseph Person - The (Columbia) State

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina lost two assistant coaches Sunday, although only one left of his own volition.

Steve Spurrier fired much-maligned offensive line coach John Hunt, who worked with Spurrier at three coaching stops but failed to produce lines at USC that could open up running lanes or protect the Gamecocks' quarterbacks.

Meanwhile, recruiting coordinator David Reaves will join the staff of his brother-in-law, Lane Kiffin, who will officially be announced as Tennessee's new coach today. Reaves said he will coach the Volunteers' quarterbacks.

With the departures, only two assistants remain from Spurrier's first USC staff in 2005 -- his son, receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr., and safeties coach Ron Cooper.

The 46-year-old Hunt has worked with Spurrier for the past decade, beginning at Florida and later with the Washington Redskins and USC.

But the Gamecocks have the SEC's worst rushing offense for the second year in a row, and are next to last in the conference in sacks allowed for the second consecutive season.

"We appreciate the job John Hunt has done here at Carolina for the past four seasons," Spurrier said in a release. "But we felt like we needed to make a change in that area. He's a good person and we wish him the best."

Hunt received a one-year contract extension last April worth $175,000.

"I don't agree with the decision, but I respect Coach Spurrier's decision," Hunt said. "I appreciate the opportunity he gave me. I enjoyed my time in South Carolina and wish the Gamecocks the best in the future."

Hunt, who has been under heavy fire from USC fans, joked several times that the criticism was nothing like he heard when he was with the Redskins. Attempts to reach Hunt and Spurrier were unsuccessful.

Reaves, 29, a Columbia native who played quarterback at Spring Valley, spent seven years at USC. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Lou Holtz and was retained by Spurrier, who worked with Reaves' father at Florida.

Reaves interviewed with Kiffin two years ago after Kiffin was hired by the Oakland Raiders, but decided to stay at USC.

"This is a good place. I love Columbia. It's my home. I spent seven years here," Reaves said Sunday as he drove to Knoxville, where Kiffin will be introduced this afternoon.

"Just the opportunity to be with my family and coach the quarterbacks, I just couldn't turn it down. Hopefully one day I'll have the opportunity to be back in Columbia coaching again."

Reaves, who assisted Spurrier with the quarterbacks, helped USC land a consensus top-10 recruiting class in 2006 that was the highest rated in school history. The Gamecocks added a top-25 class last year and have commitments from about 20 players for the '09 class.

"I've seen a lot of change," Reaves said of his tenure at USC. "But I really do think that (athletics director) Eric Hyman's doing a phenomenal job. I think they have the right president in place. I think the university's building a lot of great facilities. It's on track to just keep getting better and better."

"We appreciate the job David has done," Spurrier said. "He had a wonderful opportunity presented to him and will be moving on."

Spurrier did not address who would handle the two coaches' responsibilities heading into the bowl game, although cornerbacks coach Shane Beamer is expected to take over as recruiting coordinator, a position he held at Mississippi State.

Spurrier could turn to former Gators quarterback Noah Brindise to fill one of the vacancies. Brindise, whose brother, Zac, is a walk-on for the Gamecocks, was the Redskins' quarterbacks coach under Spurrier. Brindise is in private business in Gainesville, Fla., after stops at East Carolina and UNLV.

Also, a pair of South Carolina natives might figure in the mix for the offensive line position -- TCU's Eddie Williamson and Vanderbilt's Robbie Caldwell, who accepted an offer from Holtz before the 2004 season before changing his mind.