Two days ago, South Carolina secured a commitment from transfer linebacker Andrew Jones. However, on Friday, after visiting Ole Miss, Jones decided to switch his commitment to the Rebels.
BREAKING: Grambling transfer LB Andrew Jones has flipped from South Carolina to Ole Miss, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 225 LB totaled 122 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 20 TFL & 1 FF this season
Was named SWAC Co-DPOY & SWAC All-American
1 year of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/s0iLIBx3WT
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 20, 2024
Linebacker is a position of particular need for the Gamecocks, as their top three contributors at the position—Debo Williams, Demetrius Knight, and Bam Martin-Scott—have all graduated and will be departing.
Jones, who was named SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, also earned SWAC All-American honors. He finished the season with 122 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble. Jones will have one year of eligibility remaining.
More news…..
Former Alabama Football Head Coach Named New Offensive Coordinator at SEC School
The South Carolina Gamecocks and quarterback LaNorris Sellers will have a new face handling play-calling duties next season, and it’s a name familiar to Alabama football fans.
On Tuesday, former Crimson Tide quarterback and coach Mike Shula was named offensive coordinator for coach Shane Beamer’s staff. Shula takes over the role from Dowell Loggains, who accepted a coaching position at Appalachian State.
Reports indicate that Shula’s contract with South Carolina is for three years, worth $1.1 million annually. Shula had been an assistant coach in 2024, his first year with the Gamecocks.
Before joining Beamer’s staff in Columbia, Shula had coaching experience in the NFL with several teams. Most notably, he served as the Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator from 2013 to 2017, including during their Super Bowl 50 appearance. He also spent two years (2018-19) as the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants.
Shula is perhaps best remembered in college football for his time as Alabama’s head coach, starting in 2003. He led the Crimson Tide for four seasons, winning 10 games and the Cotton Bowl in 2005 before being fired after a 6-6 season the following year.
His dismissal opened the door for Nick Saban to become Alabama’s head coach in January 2007, a move that many view as the turning point for the program.
At one time, Shula was a highly polarizing figure in Alabama football history. Critics pointed to his 0-4 record against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, a stagnant offense, and his reluctance to adapt.
However, Shula’s supporters argued that he was placed in a difficult situation. When Shula was hired, Alabama was reeling from the Mike Price scandal, in which the coach was dismissed for unethical behavior before even coaching a game. Additionally, Dennis Franchione had left Alabama for Texas A&M amid severe NCAA sanctions from a recruiting scandal he was not involved in. Shula’s first season produced only four wins.
Over time, however, and with Alabama’s resurgence under Saban, most of the criticism of Shula has softened.
Next season, Alabama will face Shula and the Gamecocks on October 25 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.
