OL Coaching search winding down

It appears as though Steve Spurrier is close to finding his man. Last night on Spurrier's Pappa John's Bowl edition of Carolina Calls, the head ball coach stated that he was close to making a decision on who will replace the departed Eric Wolford as South Carolina's next offensive line coach, and that an announcement could come soon after Carolina returns from Birmingham.

Several names have surfaced since Wolford was named head coach at Youngstown State University. Former Clemson offensive line coach and current Tulsa defensive coordinator Ron West, current Syracuse offensive line coach Greg Adkins, who was offensive line coach at both Georgia under Jim Donnan and Tennessee under Phil Fulmer, where his 2007 offensive line led the nation in fewest sacks allowed. Adkins is 42 years old and considered an excellent recruiter, which fits the Wolford mold. Several other names have surfaced in relation to the position, including former Notre Dame OL coach Frank Verducci and most recently App. State OL coach Shawn Elliott, a Camden, SC native and lifelong Gamecock fan.

Tony Morrell of TheBigSpur.com reported earlier today that Elliott interviewed yesterday wit head coach Steve Spurrier and 2010 offensive coordinator GA Mangus.

Elliott replaced current UGA OL coach Stacey Searels as offensive line coach at App. State and has produced over twice as many All-Americans as the former LSU assistant produced at his stint in Boone. Elliott is also considered an outstanding recruiter and position coach and is well versed in running the zone read and read option blocking schemes.

Footballscoop.com reported yesterday that as many as 20 NFL coaches, probably ranging from OL coaches to quality control assistants have shown interest in the position. Two current assistant offensive line coaches that could be in the mix are Atlanta Falcon assistant Paul Dunn, a collegiate veteran with over 20 years experience who has also coached in the SEC at Vandy. Former Lower Richland product Harold Godwin, who is the assistant OL coach for the Detroit Lions could also be in the mix. Godwin walked on at Michigan and became a starter. He was also the offensive line coach at Eastern Michigan before making the jump to the NFL.

The man I would like to see Steve Spurrier hire is Vanderbilt offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell. Last year at this time, Caldwell was the odds on favorite and top candidate to replace John Hunt. However, after giving it much consideration Caldwell decided to stay at Vanderbilt. I have been told my some close to Caldwell that there were promises made that can no longer be kept and that the Pageland,SC native would jump at the chance to return to South Carolina and finish his career as a Gamecock.

The big question is, will Steve Spurrier's ego allow him to go back and ask a man that turned him down last year to take the same position? If Spurrier can bring himself to ask Caldwell, my sources indicate the veteran OL coach will be on his way to Columbia.

Caldwell has strong recruiting ties to the state of South Carolina from his years at Furman University (1978-85) and his stint at NC State (1986-1999) under Dick Sheridan and Mike O'Cain, where hs produced 14 All-ACC offensive linemen. Caldwell followed O'Cain to UNC- Chapel Hill, where he coached for two seasons before making the move to Vanderbilt with his long-itme friend Bobby Johnson.

Caldwell is very well respected in coaching circles and while he is older than Wolford, he is considered a players coach and father figure, who is a great teacher of fundamentals.

One thing is for certain, South Carolina is becoming a popular place to coach under Steve Spurrier, as the HBC is famous for allowing his coaches family time and treating them well. Who ever is selected by Spurrier to lead the offensive line will be a quality coach and person, and the Gamecocks offensive line should continue to move forward under that coach's direction.