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South Carolina has just announced it has relieved co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper of his duties “effective immediately” leaving co-OC Bryan McClendon to call the plays for the upcoming Outback Bowl against Michigan.
Head coach Will Muschamp provided the following statement explaining the decision:
“After much deliberation, I have decided to go in a different direction with the offensive coordinator position on our football team,” said Muschamp. “We appreciate Kurt’s contributions to our program and to the University and wish him all the best.”
South Carolina finished the regular season averaging just over 24 points per game, which ranked 12th in the SEC. The Gamecocks also averaged only 340 total offensive yards, which was also 12th in the league.
Considering the Gamecocks have arguably the best quarterback in the SEC in Jake Bentley, his lack of overall development may have played a part in the decision to relieve Roper of his duties on the team. While Bentley did flash brilliance at times this season, he was largely inconsistent in his performances from week to week. Once the team lost receiver Deebo Samuel to a season-ending injury, the team’s passing offense, in particular Bentley, never consistently recovered.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
