SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS FOOTBALL

When Deshaun Fenwick found out Bobby Bentley was moving to tight ends coach and the Gamecocks hired Thomas Brown as the new running backs coach, he couldn’t help but look up his resume.

When he did, he started reading the lengthy list of players he coached in previous stops—Melvin Gordon, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel—and couldn’t help but get excited.

“I got a smile on my face, I really did,” Fenwick said. “He coaches everyone the same. I know I’m going to get the same coaching that all those great running backs got.”

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Fenwick also researched Brown’s career history and his different spots at Wisconsin, Georgia and Miami most notably to see what kind of guy he’d be spending a lot of time with this season.

He kept reading and seeing what former players had to say about Brown over the course of his time not only coaching but playing at Georgia and liked what he saw.

Now that he’s been able to work with Brown through three weeks of spring practice, Fenwick’s initial thoughts about him have been backed up.

“Because of the move with Bentley I needed to know how I was going to be coached and what type of guy they’re bringing in,” Fenwick said. “I feel like they brought in the right guy.”

Also see: More scoop on a big recruiting weekend

Brown is in his first year at South Carolina, coming over in January in the midst of a Miami coaching change.

It was a quick process that happened once Mark Richt and Miami parted ways that landed him in Columbia and he’s hit the ground running with an experienced group of running backs.

Brown said he’s been impressed with Fenwick’s physicality but needs to work with the sophomore on his pad level heading into the season. Fenwick said Monday he’s already seeing progress after working with Brown during spring practice.

“His intensity and attention to detail for all the little things,” Fenwick said. “Also you can tell he’s a really experienced guy. He’s experienced on the field and experienced coaching. He’s really helpful.”

Also see: Team scoop as spring ball continues on

Fenwick showed flashes in his freshman year playing in two games later in the year, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown in his redshirt year with 112 of those yards coming against Chattanooga.

Coming into his redshirt freshman season, Fenwick said he’s working on cutting a little bit of weight and improving across the board to be one of the team’s go-to backs.

“He’s been up and down but he has ability. He’s obviously a bigger guy that struggled at times with his pad level,” Brown said. “Sometimes I think he’s his own worst enemy from a mental standpoint but I think he’s coming along well and getting better every day. He’s going to be fine.”