South Carolina is finalizing a deal to hire TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles as its next play-caller, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The move gives head coach Shane Beamer a veteran offensive mind as the Gamecocks attempt to rebound from a disappointing 4-8 season. This is seemingly a move to try and pair LaNorris Sellers with a better offensive coordinator, if he decides to forgo entering the NFL Draft until 2027.
Briles has served as TCU’s offensive coordinator since 2023 and has built a reputation for producing passing attacks. Josh Hoover set a TCU record with 3,949 passing yards last season as the Horned Frogs finished eighth nationally in passing offense. Hoover followed with 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns this fall while helping TCU average 30.8 points per game.
At South Carolina, Briles would replace Mike Shula, who was fired in October after the offense struggled to a 3-6 start. Wide receivers coach Mike Furrey assumed play-calling duties for the rest of the season.
Briles has been an offensive coordinator at Baylor, FAU, Houston, Florida State, Arkansas and TCU. He began his career under his father, Art Briles, and was a 2015 Broyles Award finalist. His task in Columbia will be to revive an offense that struggled despite high preseason expectations.
What will be interesting is Briles approach back in the SEC, which is finally coming to fruition.
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