A look at some options for the Gamecocks' new coordinator
Dec. 01, 2022


The South Carolina offense is coming off three years of running some version of a “pro-style” attack. That included huddling, under-center runs, play-action, and plenty of discussion about complicated play calls, complex game plans, and shifting focus. Whomever Shane Beamer picks as the Gamecocks’ new offensive coordinator to succeed the departed Marcus Satterfield and whatever scheme is utilized will play a role in shaping the story of his tenure and the experience of the fans.

“There were ‘pro-style elements’ to our offense this year. There were certainly spread-type elements to our offense this year. The day I got hired I said, ‘I want to be balanced.’ And that doesn’t mean that you’re 50-50. It means you’ve got the ability to run the ball and throw the ball. This list is not exhaustive, as there are a lot of variations of almost every scheme.

PRO-STYLE

It’s on here because it kind of always has to be. It seems like a tough sell, considering the past few years. There are certainly ways to run it better than the Gamecocks have. It’s also fair to say that “pro-style” is a fairly broad descriptor, but South Carolina made it part of the pitch to Spencer Rattler, so it was something the current staff leaned into.

SLOW MESH

This is a hyper-specific one, but Wake Forest reinvented the Dave Clawson-Warren Ruggiero dynamic passing attack with a QB- and RB-centric runs the game that augments RPOs. In these read plays, where a quarterback either hands off or pulls the ball and throws, the quarterback and running back lock in their mesh and basically walk toward the line of scrimmage together. It allows blocking and routes to develop before the QB needs to make the run-pass choice. It’s worth noting that this scheme at Wake often struggled against Clemson’s best defensive lines, leaving some questions about its effectiveness in the talent-rich SEC.

OPTION INFLUENCE

Running the option is no longer feasible at power conference schools for recruiting reasons. But a few hours from Columbia, Jamey Chadwell has the latest version of fusing spread and option. His schemes at Coastal Carolina involve multiple backs and getting those runners vertical in different ways, putting waves of stress on defenses. It hasn’t been enough to get a bigger job just yet, but that time is coming. The biggest issue with trying to bring the scheme to Columbia is the scarcity of coaches who run it. Coastal co-offensive coordinator Willy Korn is the obvious name, but there’s the question of if he’s the guy who works for the guy (Chadwell calls the plays) and can carry it over to a new place. Hurry-up spreads, spread options, and pistol offenses are all basically baked into a lot of other schemes at this point.

THE BEAR RAID

This is a family of schemes that started with former Baylor coach Art Briles blending run-and-shoot option routes with RPOs, unique formations and madcap tempo. It can be a bit of a chameleon, sometimes looking like Arkansas’ power attack and other times like Tennessee bombing away. It’s going to be the flavor of the month this cycle, so if the Gamecocks go that way, they’ll have to be thorough about who they land. (Arkansas OC Kendall Briles rumors seem ever-present.) It’s also worth noting that this scheme is not a cure-all. Places like Tulsa, Syracuse and Utah State have not found sustained, consistent success with it.

AIR RAID AND ITS VARIATIONS

The most popular offense of recent years is the Air Raid, the spread-out scheme that uses short passing as the run game, doesn’t mind going deep and regularly slings it around the yard. Only a few people run the pure uncut scheme anymore, preferring to mix in more complex run games. Someone to watch here is Graham Harrell, who was a hot name before a rather middling stint at West Virginia. (North Texas’ Seth Littrell is also often thrown around, if he ever parts ways with North Texas.)

STANDARD SPREAD VARIATIONS

The modern college offense features a lot of crossover between teams. ESPN writer Bill Connelly once heard it described as 90% of the teams run 60% of the same stuff. Even South Carolina’s “pro-style” often ran many of those concepts. A standard spread probably looks somewhat similar to Clemson, fusing RPOs, a smattering of quick passes with a few deep concepts and standard run looks (plus some QB involvement in the run game). Names that have been thrown out such as Duke’s Kevin Johns or JMU’s Mike Shanahan are both in this rather board category, though each brings his own flavor to the offense.

POWER SPREAD

This is a variation of the spread that makes a point of emphasizing downhill running. In some ways, it can feel like an older offense, but working out of the shotgun and often times getting more outside zone than average. This category can also include schemes with quarterbacks who act as primary between-the-tackles ball carriers. One example would be the scheme run by Lance Leipold and Andy Kotelnicki at Kansas (and Buffalo before that). They still include innovative passing concepts, but that’s not the main course.