The South Carolina football team is set to bolster its coaching staff for the upcoming 2026 season with the addition of Randy Clements, a veteran offensive line coach currently with TCU. The news, first reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, comes amid a series of shifts within the Gamecocks’ coaching ranks.
Clements, who serves as the assistant offensive line coach for the Horned Frogs, will fill the vacancy left by former offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, who was let go in October. Clements boasts an extensive coaching career that spans several major college programs, bringing a wealth of experience to South Carolina.
Before his tenure at TCU, Clements spent two seasons as the offensive line coach at North Carolina, where he significantly contributed to the team’s success. Under his guidance, the Tar Heels averaged 192.1 rushing yards per game in his first year, ranking 19th nationally, while the overall offensive performance placed them seventh with an impressive 491.2 yards per game. His first season at North Carolina also saw three offensive linemen earn All-ACC honors, with notable mention going to Willie Lampkin, who was named a first-team selection in 2024.
Clements’ coaching career began in 1986 at Stephen F. Austin and includes stints at prominent programs such as Houston, Baylor, Florida State, and Ole Miss. From 2010 to 2020, he coached offenses that ranked among the top 13 nationally, including a standout period at Baylor where three consecutive offenses made the top rankings from 2013 to 2015.
In tandem with Clements’ arrival, there are ongoing discussions regarding TCU’s offensive coordinator, Kendal Briles, who is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to become South Carolina’s next offensive coordinator. Briles’ partnership with Clements at TCU could further solidify the Gamecocks’ offensive strategy moving forward.
As for the current roster, South Carolina is expected to retain a majority of its scholarship offensive linemen, with only one set to graduate. However, one player has already declared his intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. This leaves a strong basis of twelve scholarship offensive linemen potentially returning for the 2026 season.
The Gamecocks have yet to officially announce any new coaching hires this offseason, a key task for head coach Shane Beamer as he aims to fill three spots on his staff. Following the dismissals of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Shula and former offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, the focus is now on solidifying the coaching team to rear a competitive program.
