Gamecock defensive coaches let ship run aground

How much damage - how many more losses - will the neglect cause? 

Gamecocks escaped versus Georgia with
a strong offensive performance. 

Last year, South Carolina had Jadeveon Clowney, Kelcy Quarels and Victor Hampton on defense.

Those three players represented height, size, strength, talent and leadership. All three left before their college eligibility was used up.

The big question to the defensive coaching staff is: WHY are there not legitimate replacements recruited to fill the void?

The Gamecocks have had one of highest-profile defenses in the country. Going back to players like: Devin Taylor; Stephon; Gilmore; Melvin Ingram; Eric Norwood;Chris Culliver; Antonio Allen; Clifton Geathers; and so on. How can you not recruit defensive talent to South Carolina with names like those to trade on?

Who are the next generation of Gamecock stars on defense? Are there any? And why was the defensive coaching staff not out on the recruiting trail filling holes it knew it would have?

The Gamecocks' D - in 2014 - has little or none of the height, speed, skill, talent and leadership that it has had in the past. The players play with a lot of heart, but they need some help that the defensive coaching staff has been negligent in offering.

When Ellis Johnson was hired by Head Coach Steve Spurrier in 2008 to run the Gamecock defense, Spurrier said he can forget about the defense – let a competent Johnson coach it - and concentrate on his job. He was right.

And Spurrier thought the D was in good hands with DC Lorenzo Ward after Johnson left. Evidently, it is not.

Not only is there a lack of recruiting to do the job, why are players not ready leaving the team to go to the NFL?

Coaches are like parents away from home in college. Who is advising, or NOT advising, players like Quarles and Hampton? Both made a mistake by forgoing their last year at SC. And their departure severely hurt the SC defense. Especially since there was not enough talent to replace them. 

Someone on the defensive coaching staff has been sleeping on the job. And now question is: how long will it take to repair the damage their negligence has caused?