Mike Bobo's heading into his third game as South Carolina's interim coach, following the Gamecocks' dismissal of Will Muschamp after their Nov. 14 loss at Ole Miss.
Bobo's winless in two games against Missouri and Georgia, and the former Georgia quarterback and Colorado State head coach doesn't appear to be getting serious consideration for the permanent Gamecocks' job. Oklahoma assistant Shane Beamer, a former Gamecocks recruiting coordinator, and Louisiana head coach Billy Napier remain the most talked about candidates in that regard. Former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn also has been linked to the USC head job.
Whoever gets the position, however, can thank the ever-classy Bobo for trying to keep the Gamecocks positioned as well as possible for the early signing period, scheduled to begin Dec. 16.
“That's a good question,” Bobo said Wednesday on the SEC coaches' teleconference when asked how USC has planned to handle the early signing period. “I think that's a question for our administration of when they expect to get a head coach in here.
“We're honoring the guys that are committed to us and encouraging those guys to stay committed to the program and see who the administration hires. You chose South Carolina for a lot of reasons. It's still gonna be a great place and a chance to get a quality education and to play football. Just be patient and see how it is.”
Bobo did admit that as the calendar turns closer to the early signing period, it could pose a different set of questions.
“Now if there's not a coach in here Dec. 16, we're gonna honor the scholarships if guys are going to sign,” Bobo said. “You'd have to ask Ray (Tanner, athletics director) of his plans to get one before that.”
According to Rivals.com, South Carolina has 10 current verbal commitments in the Gamecocks' 2021 signing class. The group is headlined by four-star quarterback Colton Gauthier.