Hey kids, I’m back from vacation, we’re less than a month away from the start of another season of Carolina football, and the Gamecocks are back on the practice fields.

The biggest news to come out of tonight’s session is that Tanner McEvoy, who was arrested and charged with speeding and underage drinking on July 29, has been fully reinstated. He practiced tonight and will nto miss any games.

Other highlights from practice:

• Marcus Lattimore was back in action (with a knee brace)
• Drew Owens will be out 3-4 weeks recovering from an injury sustained during the spring
• Senior long snapper Walker Inabinet has been placed on scholarship

The Gamecocks practice again Saturday night at 7:30 and the public is welcome to attend.

In non-practice news, USC is ranked No. 9 in the USA Today preseason coaches poll, the highest they’ve ever been; Ace Sanders was placed on the Paul Hornung Award Watch List (the award goes to the most versatile player in college football); Clemson finally announced that Sammy Watkins has been suspended for the first two games of the season.

In non-football news, Ray Tanner shocked us all and joined twitter yesterday and will hold a Q&A session (use #TanneronTwitter) on Monday. Also, Chad Holbrook’s contract was finally taken care of  (five years and $400,000 annually, plus incentives).

Image via GamecocksOnline

In the least shocking news since Ray Tanner was named as the new AD on Friday, former assistant coach Chad Holbrook was announced as the new head baseball coach at South Carolina this morning.

Before I go any further, let me just say that this one of the best pressers I’ve ever seen. Holbrook’s personality is incredible, and I’m thrilled that he’s the guy who’s taking over.

Tanner began by lauding “the new coach’s” lengthy career and accolades, finally telling us what we already knew: Holbrook is our guy.

Holbrook spoke about his passion for recuritng (he’ll still be in charge of that), his dedication to following in Tanner’s footsteps, and what it means to him to be in this position.

“It’s an honor, it’s a thrill, it’s a dream come true,” he said. “I’m excited to be your baseball coach at the University of South Carolina.”

Holbrook got emotional a couple of times, speaking about his family, his past, and the championship years – and players – at USC. He also gave props to both the fans and the people who work behind the scenes for the team.

He has been on the Carolina staff for four years and was responsible for landing the Yardcocks a No. 1 recruiting class (according to Collegiate Baseball) last year. That group included Joey Pankake, Jordan Montgomery, Tanner English, and Grayson Greiner.  In 2011, Holbrook was named the 2011 ABCA/Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year and the No. 10 best recruiter in all of college sports by ESPNU &ESPN The Magazine.

» Continue reading “Chad Holbrook Announced As New USC Baseball Coach”

Two important members of the USC Athletics Department were given new deals today, ensuring that they’ll stay in the garnet and black for the foreseeable future.

Athletics Director Eric Hyman, whose name had been brought up as a potential candidate for the same position at UNC (his alma mater) received a $75,000 raise. Since he came to Carolina, Hyman has been a positive force, working to improve the facilities and standards for Gamecock sports. He has been praised by coaches and fans for his dedication to improving USC and elevating it to the upper echelon both in the SEC and the entire NCAA. Hyman released this statement through the University:

Eric Hyman

“I appreciate the confidence that Dr. Pastides and the Board of Trustees have shown with this contract amendment. I am a very lucky person and have been blessed to work with some outstanding people. While we’ve made some progress as an athletics department, we still have a lot of work in front of us. Our objectives remain the same – to be a difference-maker in the lives of our student-athletes, and for our fans and supporters to be proud of their athletics department.”

Assistant baseball coach Chad Holbrook also got a raise, improving his yearly salary to $176,000, a $16,000 addition. Coincidentally, Holbrook also attended (and coached at) UNC. He has been a great leader for the Yardcocks, serving as a mentoring presence on and off the field.

He also helped South Carolina’s team connect with Bayler Teal, a young boy who the team adopted as their own and who passed away when the Gamecocks were in Omaha last year. Coach Holbrook had this to sayin regards to his new deal:

Chad Holbrook

“I want to thank (school president Harris) Pastides, Eric Hyman and coach (Ray) Tanner for everything they’ve done for me and the confidence they have in me. I look forward to helping the South Carolina baseball team continue to compete for championships for many years to come.”

Both men’s contracts run through 2015 (Holbrook’s was extended by two years today).

Photos courtesy of USC Athletics Dept.

Assistant Coach Chad Holbrook did interview for the Tennessee head coaching position yesterday in Knoxville, but today he withdrew his name from consideration.

In a statement issued through the university this morning, Holbrook said:

“Tennessee is a great institution with a great athletic program, but at this point in my career I belong here at South Carolina. My family and I love the university and Columbia, and we look forward to continuing to build on the championship program we’ve been so fortunate to be a part of.”

This isn’t really surprising, but is no doubt good news for fans and the team as they travel to Omaha at the end of this week to compete in the 2011 College World Series.

In player news, three Gamecocks have been awarded All-America honors.

Pitcher Michael Roth was given first-team honors from Baseball America and second-team honors from the Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.  another pitcher, Matt Price, earned second-team honors by both of those groups.  Christian Walker was awarded third-team honors from Baseball America.

These honors are certainly well-deserved.  Congrats, guys!

If you have a favorite memory from 2011 at Carolina Stadium, don’t forget to submit it here!  All the memories will be posted this Friday.

USC Assistant Baseball Coach Chad Holbrook confirmed Sunday night that he will be meeting with administrators at Tennessee to discuss the vacant head coaching job in Knoxville.  Holbrook is not the only candidate, but is considered a favorite by many.  He has been an invaluable piece of the Carolina coaching staff during his time in Columbia, and it would be a shame to lose him.

Holbrook told Sports Talk SC last week that he loves being at USC, and that he would be more than thrilled to stay in the capital city.  His wife is a Columbia native and loves it here, which likely also affects his decision.  Holbrook said:

“I love being at S.C. and its where I want to be for a long period of time.  I could be happy as a pig in mud being an assistant here the next 5-6 years.”

Holbrook will interview Tuesday in Knoxville.  He reiterated that this does not mean he will automatically being wearing orange and white next season.

“It would have to take a dream-type situation for me to even entertain leaving South Carolina.  I have no desire or want-to to leave (USC). I know people think that’s just talk, but it’s more than talk, trust me.”

Stay tuned on this one, but from what I’ve seen from Holbrook, he wouldn’t say one thing and mean another.  As much as I’m sure he’d like to be a head coach, he truly seems to love being a Gamecock, and I’m fairly positive that means we won’t be losing him to the Vols.