USC fires offensive line coach Hunt

COLUMBIA — It's December, so it must be time for South Carolina's coaching carousel to spin again.

On Sunday, Steve Spurrier fired offensive line coach John Hunt. In Spurrier and Hunt's four seasons, Hunt never consistently got things going.

This year, the Gamecocks finished the regular season ranked last in the SEC in rushing yards a game (98.3 yards a game, the only team in the league to average fewer than 100 yards) and next to last in sacks allowed (38).

"We appreciate the job John Hunt has done," Spurrier said through 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, from Orlando, Fla., had coached under Spurrier with the Washington Redskins and at Florida.

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

Spurrier very nearly made the move to let Hunt go a year ago, but receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. talked him into giving Hunt another season for staff continuity and recruiting considerations.

Finding consistent starters was the primary problem for Hunt. The Gamecocks' best line in his tenure came toward the end of the 2005 season, when two walk-ons emerged to win jobs and play well.

This fall, injuries and the suspension of starting right guard Heath Batchelor kept things off balance.

Vanderbilt offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell is the first logical option as a replacement. Caldwell's name came up a year ago, and the Furman grad has expressed interest about returning to South Carolina.

Caldwell, from Pageland, coached at Hanahan in 1977.

USC graduate assistant Cedric Williams, a former Gamecocks lineman, might also get a look. At the very least, he's expected to serve as the interim position coach while something is decided.

In addition to Hunt, USC quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator David Reaves left Columbia on Sunday for Tennessee. He'll join brother-in-law Lane Kiffin's new staff, which is expected to be unveiled today when Kiffin is introduced as the Volunteers' next coach.

"He had a wonderful opportunity presented to him and will be moving on," Spurrier said. "We wish him the best."

Rather than hire another quarterbacks coach, per se, Spurrier might shuffle his existing staff.

South Carolina cornerbacks coach Shane Beamer is expected to be named USC's new recruiting coordinator. Beamer held that role as an assistant at Mississippi State.

Speaking of the Bulldogs, they might have some interest in Gamecocks first-year defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson for their head coaching vacancy.

Sylvester Croom resigned Saturday after five seasons at Mississippi State. Johnson, the former Citadel head coach, was Croom's defensive coordinator for four seasons leading into this year.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the new South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.