South Carolina Fires OC Mike Shula

South Carolina fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula on Nov. 2 after a 30-14 loss to Ole Miss; the move came as the Gamecocks fell to 3-6 (1-6 SEC) and face the real possibility of missing a bowl game. The offense has averaged roughly 294 yards and 19.7 points per game (last in the SEC) and is the only Power-Four/FBS team not to eclipse 350 total yards in a game this season. Fan frustration boiled over in mid-October with “Fire Shula” chants during the loss to Oklahoma, and critics pointed to quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ regression, more interceptions than passing touchdowns and stagnant play-calling. Head coach Shane Beamer said the decision was entirely his and has not named an immediate play-caller, describing future game-planning as a collaborative staff effort. Shula had been promoted to offensive coordinator in December after Dowell Loggains departed and brings prior NFL experience and a past stint as Alabama’s head coach. South Carolina will owe Shula roughly $2.4 million remaining on his contract.