Spurrier hires Terps' special teams coach

COLUMBIA — South Carolina hired a new assistant football coach Tuesday. But, no, it wasn't a defensive coordinator.

In something of a surprise move, Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier brought on Ray Rychleski to serve as the team's sole special teams coordinator.

Rychleski, 50, had been the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach under Ralph Friedgen at Maryland the past seven seasons.

During that period, the Terrapins had no punts blocked — the longest current streak in the FBS.

In South Carolina's final two games, losses to Florida and Clemson, junior Ryan Succop had three punts blocked.

Additionally on his recent resume, Rychleski's units have blocked 22 kicks and returned eight kicks for touchdowns in those seven years.

"I believe Ray is one of the best special teams coaches in the country," Spurrier said in a statement. "I believe we're in good hands with him coordinating our special teams."

Rychleski will coach the Terps in the

Dec. 28 Emerald Bowl against Oregon State before joining the Gamecocks staff.

Because of the zealous fanbase, Rychleski said he's had interest in coaching at USC since attending the South Carolina-Clemson game in 1997.

In recent weeks, Spurrier had expressed to his staff the interest to have one person coach all four facets of the special teams.

This past season, Shane Beamer and Fred Chatham split up the assignments as co-special teams coordinators.

Beamer, finishing his first year under Spurrier, was previously responsible for the punt return and kickoff return units. He also coached the team's outside linebackers.

Chatham, a second-year assistant, coached the punt and kickoff teams — the facets that had noticeable struggles throughout the season. Chatham also coached the team's tight ends.

As of Tuesday evening, both men had been retained.

"We have nine (assistant) coaches that are employed, plus the head coach," said Steve Fink, USC's sports information director.

Nine is the maximum number of assistants you're allowed to have, and, with Spurrier continuing to talk with candidates, South Carolina is still in the market for Tyrone Nix's replacement as defensive coordinator.

Doing the math — barring the unlikelihood that a current assistant would be promoted to defensive coordinator — there would be 10 coaches for nine spots.

Spurrier did not return a message left in his office seeking comment about additional changes to his staff.

Even the team's assistants themselves, a pair of sources said Tuesday, aren't sure what's going to happen in the on-going game of coaching musical chairs at USC.

The days of the game appear numbered. Spurrier is narrowing down a short list of potential targets to coach the team's defense.

He indicated Friday that he'd like to have a new coordinator in place by Christmas.

Spurrier spoke Monday with Mississippi State defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. But, contrary to Internet reports, Spurrier did not offer the former Citadel coach the job. Johnson plans to interview today for Georgia Tech's defensive coordinator position, he told reporters in Mississippi.

Atlanta Falcons linebackers coach and former Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring, according to sources, have also spoken with Spurrier about the opening in the past couple of days.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com.