Breaking: South Carolina moves to hire Randy Clements to fix the trenches
I can confirm South Carolina is moving to hire TCU assistant offensive line coach Randy Clements as its next offensive line coach. Final steps are underway, and the plan is to fold him into Shane Beamer’s rebuilt offensive staff immediately. This move follows the addition of Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator, and it signals a full reset on how the Gamecocks want to run the ball and protect the quarterback.
South Carolina needed a proven builder up front. Clements has built, rebuilt, and tuned offensive lines at Baylor, Florida State, Ole Miss, Houston, North Carolina, and most recently TCU. He has a track record of immediate gains in the run game and cleaner protection plans. The Gamecocks are betting that history repeats in Columbia.
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Why Clements, and why now
The numbers tell the story. South Carolina’s rushing attack stalled in 2025. The Gamecocks averaged 111.08 rushing yards per game, only 3.24 yards per carry, and 1,333 total rushing yards. That was last in the SEC by any measure that matters. The line also battled injuries and drive-killing penalties. Change was not optional.
Clements brings results. Across 2010-2020, he worked on nine offenses that finished top 13 nationally. His Baylor lines from 2013 to 2015 powered attacks that led the nation in total offense and scoring. At other stops, his fronts played fast, handled tempo, and created angles that turned four-yard runs into chunk plays. He is known for marrying simple rules with aggressive footwork and low pad level. His groups usually get better every month of the season.
This hire is about standards. South Carolina wants a line that communicates, plays clean, and finishes.
The fit with Kendal Briles
This pairing makes football sense. Briles wants speed, space, and a run game that forces light boxes. Clements has coached in that world for years. His lines handle tempo without confusion, then shift gears into gap runs when the defense spreads thin. Expect inside zone, counter, and pin-pull to sit side by side. Expect built-in answers for blitz, plus clear rules for who the line counts and climbs to at the second level.
Clements also values practice structure. He stacks short, high-rep periods that drill hand placement, first step, and combo timing. That fits Briles’ rhythm. The goal is simple reads for the back and clean pictures for the quarterback. The two should speak the same language on run tags, pass protection adjustments, and how to set tempo without sacrificing assignment detail.
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What changes you will see first
Technique comes before scheme. Clements will start with pad level, hat placement, and how two linemen move like one on double teams. You will see tighter surfaces on short yardage, more decisive first steps, and fewer free runners.
- Sharper communication, especially against movement and late blitz
- Fewer penalties, thanks to cadence discipline and stance tweaks
- Better health management, with cross-training and a deeper rotation
- Clearer identity, a base run the group can lean on in any quarter
Penalties have been a quiet killer. Expect fewer false starts with cadence work and uniform stances. Expect fewer holds with better hand inside placement. Clements’ lines also score well on knockdowns and finish rate, which tends to wake up a sideline.
Watch second-and-6. If South Carolina stays on schedule there, the fix is taking hold. Third down gets easier, and play action opens up.
Recruiting, the portal, and culture
Timing matters. The early signing window is close, and South Carolina needs bodies inside. Clements has long ties in Texas and the Gulf Coast, useful for high school prospects and the portal. I expect interior adds and at least one swing tackle who can play both sides. The pitch is strong, early playing time and a clear plan to develop pros.
Culture is the other lever. Clements is detail-heavy during the week, then calm on Saturdays. Players know where they stand. Grading is firm and simple, and reps are earned. That style travels, and it tends to cut down on practice casualties because technique is clean and workloads are measured. Do not expect a miracle in one spring, but do expect a tougher, more connected room by summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will South Carolina make this official?
A: The expectation is soon. Paperwork and staff logistics are being handled now.
Q: How will the run game look different?
A: More inside zone and counter, with fast edges and better double teams. The line will create cleaner lanes early in the snap.
Q: Can this fix happen fast?
A: Some of it can. Penalties, communication, and first-step wins can improve by spring. Big leaps in strength and depth take a full year.
Q: What about recruiting and the portal?
A: Expect at least two additions up front. Interior help is a priority, and a swing tackle is on the board.
Q: How does this help the quarterback?
A: Better run efficiency forces two-high looks. That lightens the pass rush and gives cleaner protection calls.
Conclusion
South Carolina needed a builder. Randy Clements is a builder. Pairing him with Kendal Briles gives the Gamecocks a clear identity, a fast run game with physical edges and simple rules. The immediate gains will be control, communication, and fewer mistakes. The long-term goal is a line that tilts the field against SEC fronts. If Clements repeats his history, that climb starts the minute he walks into the room.
