John Scott Jr. officially added to staff
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS FOOTBALL
John Scott Jr. is coming home.
GamecockCentral.com previously reported on Friday that Scott Jr., who played high school football at Greer, was set to be hired to Will Muschamp's staff as an assistant coach.
Scott's contract, which was unanimously approved by the board of Trustees Tuesday, runs through May 2020 and will give him an annual base salary of $435,000.
The 43-year-old Scott spent the last two seasons at Arkansas as the lone defensive staff holdover from Bret Beliema's staff that Chad Morris chose to hold onto.
Scott's contract is effective immediately and he'll start work today. Athletic director Ray Tanner said Tuesday the Gamecocks did not pay Scott's buyout at Arkansas.
“We had a number of conversations throughout the end of last week and this weekend about what he brings to the program," Tanner said. "He’s excited about what he’s done in the past and the guys he’s coached. He’s looking forward to getting him involved.”
Scott is the second addition to the coaching staff this offseason after Will Muschamp brought in Thomas Brown to take over the running back room.
The Gamecocks are officially at 10 on-field assistants now and are just a few weeks away from starting spring practice.
"When you have a big staff, a big roster, I think there’s going to be some changes and transitions from time to time," Tanner said. "That seems to be the case across the country. Now I think we’re moving forward into spring practice.”
Scott spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the New York Jets, beginning as a defensive quality control coach in 2015 before being promoted to defensive line assistant coach.
Scott coached three eventually NFL d-linemen at Texas Tech including All-Big 12 Kerry Huder and Branden Jackson.
Prior to joining Texas Tech, Scott spent three seasons as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Georgia Southern, which advanced to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs all three years. At Georgia Southern he mentored two All-Americans, including Brent Russell, who was an All-American all three years under Scott and finished as the program’s all-time sack leader.
Prior to his stay at Georgia Southern, Scott spent one season coaching outside linebackers at Missouri State and three seasons at Western Carolina coaching defensive ends and outside linebackers.
A four-year letterman, Scott graduated from Western Carolina in 2000 before returning to coach at his alma mater in 2006.
Scott played three years of professional football. While playing for the Greensboro Prowlers of the Arena Football League, he also served as the defensive line coach at West Davidson High School in 2001. He then went to Louisiana-Lafayette as a graduate assistant for two years, serving as a defensive line graduate assistant. Scott completed his master’s degree in education at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2006.
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