re: The Official Coaching Search Thread- updates in OP

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Just wondering about what we have left to fill on this staff?

Secondary - ?

DLine - Lawing, Kuligowski?

LB - Lance Thompson?

I hope this staff gets totally assembled before spring practice and the spring game.

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We'll have the staff fully setup in the next 3 weeks, if not sooner.

For DLine - Kulig is out, he's going to miami. We could still be looking at Brad Lawing. We could also be looking at Lance Thompson for DL as well. If that happens, then Ellis Johnson will coach LB's, IMO.

TRob is going to coach the Secondary. We'll be bringing in some more QC's to help there.

If it is not the Lance/Ellis or Lance/Lawing or Ellis/Lawing scenarios, there are some other solid options still available.

DL Coaches of note (just my own knowledge of who's out there:)
L.D. Scott - l'ville - actually a pretty great recruiter, considering he's at l'ville, got some of their best recruits. He's at $150K now, We could double what he makes and we wouldn't even have to come close to what we paid the last guy.

Ron Burton - mich st - He's at $302K right now, again, we could offer substantially more $. He is from VA, but played at unc. This would be a huge get, if we're even looking at him.

Ed Orgeron - lsu - He's at $465, that's about what we could pay, he's a mercenary though, so he'll go to whoever pays the most. He'll get a look at So Cal as well. Historical phenom recruiter. May see the writing on the wall with Les Miles (probably won't be there after next year,) and be looking to make a move now.

Chris Kiffin - ole miss - He's only at $250K now. 2013 National Recruiter of the year. He's been with Freeze since Ark St though. Probably pretty loyal to him, but he is a Kiffen, so $ will motivate. My gut says though whatever we would offer, ole miss would match. He'd be a really solid hire though.

John Papuchis - unc - former DC at Nebraska, was a GA with lsu in 2007. Pretty good recruiter. From Maryland. At $250K now. Not one of the best options, but could be a decent option.

Sean Spencer - Penn St - probably don't have a shot here, he's pretty loyal to Franklin. I don't know what his salary is, but if the $ was right....

I wouldn't want Chris Kiffin anywhere near my program. It's only a matter of time before the NCAA comes calling.

Good point.

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I'd love to get on their level as far as cheating but our administration would never allow it. Not sure what SC's thoughts would be.

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We're in the same boat. USC is surrounded by untouchable programs such as UNC and Clemson. If we tried to do stuff on the same level, we'd be crippled by sanctions, and the assholes at the other programs would be the first to turn us in.

Reputation is extremely important to Pastides. He would never allow any whispers of wrongdoing to accommodate the university.

With the Kevin Steele to Auburn DC now a reality, LB Coach Lance Thompson's offer is on the table and he's on the clock for coming to SC.

If he comes to SC it will be b/c he's pissed at Gus for not giving him the DC job, and he might have a point about that based on the game today. We also have the $ available to procure an elite position coach.

However, I don't think that this is as much a shoe in as some on 247sports believe.

Lance is 1 year away from getting invested in Alabama's state retirement plan. He's also earning $450K a year at Auburn, which is about what we would pay for a LB or DL Coach. Although, we have money to spend still since we saved over $1M on a HC.

I could see Richt making a pitch to him about coming to Miami as well for a similar job.

Also, there is a chance he might look for another DC job that comes available in the next couple weeks. If he wanted the Auburn DC job, then he's thinking about making that vertical career move sooner than later.

There is some drama with his past personal issues, but not anymore so than Lawing and I would take either of those guys in a second for our team.

What's undeniable is; Lance Thompson is a national level elite recruiter. https://247sports.com/Coach/Lance-Thompson-307

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My wife looked at his picture and is saying the same thing.

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If your wife met him, we might have a problem. I'm just kidding of course.


Supposedly LT had a meeting with the powers that be in auburn this evening. He let them know about the multi year offer on the table we gave him, and basically it's a match it or I walk situation.

They might match it, they might not. He might be positioning for a DC job somewhere, I think he's looking to move fast and that's good for us either way.

The Big Spur reporting that Lance Thompson to SC could be announced as early as today. Not a done deal yet though, b/c we don't know the auburn counter offer.

WE GOT HIM!!!!!!!!!