According to sources close to the team, Will Muschamp is expected to fill the assistant coach vacancy on his staff.
GatorCountry.com’s sources say Florida plans to hire South Carolina’s Brad Lawing to its staff. Lawing spent the past seven seasons of his second stint with the Gamecocks as defensive line coach. He has a strong background as a top defensive line coach and has served as a recruiting coordinator at several stops throughout his career.
It remains unclear if Lawing also will coach special teams. Sources report Lawing is in Gainesville today meeting with staff. Lawing reportedly received a $50,000 raise last February and was scheduled to make $300,000 this past season at South Carolina.
Three of South Carolina’s verbal commitments are reportedly being recruited by Lawing. They are a pair from Havelock, N.C., in athlete Pharoh Cooper and defensive end Kendal Vickers as well as Goose Creek, S.C., linebacker Gerald Turner. Lawing also was recruiting one-time Florida target Greg Gilmore, a top defensive tackle who committed to LSU in November, and junior college defensive end Alfy Hill, a 6-foot-5, 285-pounder who attends Los Angeles Community College in California.
Lawing spent a total of 17 seasons at South Carolina. The Hickory, N.C., native will fill the position left open after Dan Quinn was hired by the Seattle Seahawks and DJ Durkin was named UF’s new defensive coordinator.
South Carolina finished 11th nationally in total defense this past season and was third in the nation in 2011. That was a marked improvement from 2010 when the Gamecocks were 46th in total defense. That 2010 did set a then-school record with 41 sacks in a single season, though.
In 2011, defensive end Melvin Ingram was named a first-team All-American while defensive end Jadaveon Clowney was SEC Freshman of the Year. Clowney received several All-American honors this season and was named the All-America Player of the Year by AT&T, which was voted on by fans.
Moreover, the Gamecocks also were 21st nationally in passing defense and 17th in rushing defense this past season. They were 16th in the nation in tackles for a loss and were sixth with 43 total sacks, which set a new school record.
Another player Lawing is credited with coaching is Eric Norwood, who set a school record with 19.5 tackles for a loss in 2007.
Lawing spent 10 seasons at South Carolina during his first stint on the staff. He served as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. He also spent three seasons as North Carolina’s defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, helping the Tar Heels land three top-25 classes. He also spent four seasons at Michigan State, where he coached All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick Julian Peterson, among others.
He began his career as defensive line coach at Appalachian State and played linebacker at Lenoire-Rhyne from 1976-79. He also started at catcher for the Bears’ baseball team in 1977.
Lawing, who was born in Franfurt, Germany, and his wife, Laura, have two “grown” children, according to gamecocksonline.com.
Gator Country’s Andrew Spivey contributed to this report.