Will Muschamp: ‘Let’s be realistic’ about expectations

Will Muschamp won’t make any predictions about South Carolina’s 2016 record, but he understands the reality of the 2015 record.

“We are a 3-9 program right now. That’s who we are,” the Gamecocks first-year coach said Monday during an interview with The State. “We are also not too far removed from the greatest run in South Carolina history. Let’s be realistic about where we are and where we want to go. It’s our job to get us there.”

Muschamp was hired to replace Steve Spurrier, who was the winningest coach in school history and resigned in mid-October when South Carolina was 2-4 overall. The Gamecocks finished the season 3-9, their worst record since the winless 1999 season.

“Coach Spurrier always used to say, ‘You are what your record is.’ We are 3-9,” Muschamp said. “Let’s understand where we are, and what we need to do to get back to where we want to be.”

Muschamp has reviewed film from this past season.

“Just looking at effort, toughness, finish, kind of looking at it like a pro scout would look at it,” he said.

The Gamecocks will focus on fundamentals, installing their new offensive and defensive systems and identifying playmakers during spring practice, which begins in March. (The spring game will be April 9.) The team also will have “a very difficult” offseason conditioning program, Muschamp said.

“Is it going to happen overnight? No, but I’m not going to get into predictions of what we can and can’t do when I haven’t even stepped on the field with our team last year,” he said.

Muschamp was 28-21 in four seasons as Florida’s coach. He was hired by South Carolina on Dec. 6 and will be paid $3 million annually.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 12:05 PM with the headline "Will Muschamp: ‘Let’s be realistic’ about expectations."