It was a stupid mistake for Ellis
Johnson to quit his job as de-facto defensive coordinator at South
Carolina in 2011.
As the head coach of Southern
Mississippi in 2012, Johnson was winless and he was immediately fired
at the end of the season.
Now, one year since taking Auburn to
the National Championship game, as DC, Johnson has been dumped by the
Tigers.
Johnson's firing comes when South
Carolina's DC Lorenzo Ward just posted an embarrassing performance,
with a five-game drop-off in win total from 2013 to 2014.
If SC Head Coach Steve Spurrier were to
hire Johnson, he could be spared to problem of firing Ward. Johnson
had a title of assistant head coach while at SC and Ward was – in
name only- the defensive coordinator. Johnson was the actual DC , but
Ward was actually placed in the DC position after Johnson left.
If Johnson comes back to the Gamecocks,
he could step back into the DC role, and Ward - who has a reputation for landing recruits - could be kept where he
was before Johnson left.
Spurrier could also let Johnson hire
his own D-line, linebacker and secondary coaches, after the current
holders of those jobs are let go.
The X-factor would be the relationship
between Spurrier and Johnson. Was it a clean break? Or does Spurrier
harbor some understandable animosity toward Johnson? Johnson bailed on
SC, and left the team in the position 2014 turned out to be when Ward
was put in a position over his head?
The fact is, Spurrier has to make some
move with his defensive coaching staff, or fans will turn on him in
droves. The 2014 performance of the D was hideous. But a lot of faith
could be restored if Johnson comes back. What will Spurrier do?
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