Gamecocks hire former GT Head Coach Jeff Collins to help with the defense in a role to be determined.
In a move that has taken the college football world by surprise, the South Carolina Gamecocks have hired former Georgia Tech head coach Jeff Collins to join their staff in a defensive role yet to be fully defined. This unexpected but intriguing addition has already sparked waves of conversation within the South Carolina fanbase and the broader college football community. Collins, known for his defensive prowess and head coaching experience at Georgia Tech, will now bring his expertise to Columbia, South Carolina, where he will work under Gamecocks’ head coach Shane Beamer.
Collins, who was let go by Georgia Tech in September 2023 after a tumultuous four-year tenure, brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for turning defenses around. His coaching career has been marked by a deep focus on creating disruptive, aggressive defenses—an attribute that South Carolina hopes will complement the rest of its highly regarded staff. Though his official title and role remain undetermined, the Gamecocks appear to be banking on Collins’ ability to inject new energy and ideas into a defense that has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled to maintain consistency over the past few seasons.
Beamer’s decision to bring Collins on board comes at a crucial time for the Gamecocks, who have shown promising offensive growth but have been inconsistent on the defensive side of the ball. With a fanbase eager for SEC title contention and a program looking to make a significant step forward, this coaching hire has the potential to reshape the Gamecocks’ defensive unit in a positive way.
Jeff Collins’ reputation as a defensive-minded coach is well-established, having been a prominent figure in both the college and professional coaching ranks. His journey through the coaching world includes stops as the defensive coordinator at multiple programs, including Mississippi State, Florida, and Temple, where he earned recognition for his work. At Mississippi State and Florida, Collins developed top-tier defenses that were tough, physical, and adaptable to various styles of play. His work with the Gators’ defense, which ranked among the nation’s best in his final years, particularly highlighted his ability to maximize talent and get the most out of his defensive players.
Collins earned his first head coaching position at Temple University in 2017, where he quickly made an impact by transforming the Owls into a defensive powerhouse. Temple’s defense under Collins ranked among the best in the American Athletic Conference, and the team achieved a 10-win season in 2019. That success led to his hiring at Georgia Tech in 2019, where he inherited a struggling program in the midst of a transition from the option-heavy offense of Paul Johnson’s tenure.
Although his time at Georgia Tech was marked by mixed results, Collins is still widely regarded as a coach with a strong defensive acumen. During his tenure, Collins helped the Yellow Jackets’ defense improve significantly, especially in the 2021 and 2022 seasons when the team’s defense showed signs of becoming more competitive in the ACC. Despite facing the challenges of a full program overhaul, Collins’ ability to recruit and develop defensive talent was never in question.
After his firing from Georgia Tech, Collins took some time off to assess his next move, and his hiring by South Carolina represents his return to a power-conference coaching role. For the Gamecocks, this is a home-run hire—a defensive specialist with an impressive track record who can add a new dimension to the coaching staff.
Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks have made considerable strides under his leadership, particularly on offense, where quarterback Spencer Rattler has helped raise the level of play. However, defensively, South Carolina has had its ups and downs. While the Gamecocks’ defense has shown flashes of excellence, including strong performances against SEC powerhouses like Georgia and Kentucky, consistency has been an issue.
One of the biggest weaknesses has been the lack of a dominant pass rush. In SEC play, where elite offenses thrive, South Carolina has struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In a conference loaded with high-powered offenses—such as those of Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU—this has often been the difference between an upset victory and a disappointing loss. Collins, who has long been known for his ability to coach up the defensive front seven and create schemes that pressure quarterbacks, will be instrumental in addressing this concern.
Additionally, Collins has a reputation for getting the best out of his players. He’s known for his ability to develop talent and bring out the most in players who may not have been highly regarded coming out of high school. His ability to adapt his schemes to the strengths of his players—while still implementing his hallmark aggressiveness and physicality—will be an asset to a South Carolina defense that has young talent but has not always been able to maximize it.
In terms of scheme, Collins is known for running a 4-3 defense with multiple hybrid looks that can confuse opposing offenses. He has a background in coaching defensive line play and linebackers, which will be beneficial for South Carolina’s defense, especially in terms of creating mismatches up front. While Collins is well-versed in a variety of defensive strategies, his emphasis on fast, physical play is something the Gamecocks hope will elevate their defense to the next level.
Shane Beamer’s approach to coaching has always been about building a culture of competition, resilience, and selflessness. As a former assistant coach at Oklahoma and a disciple of the Stoops family’s coaching tree, Beamer has a deep understanding of what it takes to build a winning program. The Gamecocks’ defense, which has shown flashes of brilliance, will now have an experienced leader to help refine and solidify its approach under Collins.
Beamer emphasized that the addition of Collins was about enhancing the Gamecocks’ ability to compete at the highest level within the SEC, a conference known for its dominant defenses.
“Jeff is a fantastic coach who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge,” Beamer said in a statement. “We are excited to have him join our staff and look forward to the impact he’ll make with our defense. His experience as both a defensive coordinator and head coach will be invaluable as we continue to grow as a program.”
While the exact role Collins will take remains unclear, it’s widely speculated that he will have a significant influence on the defensive line and linebacker units. South Carolina’s defensive line has been inconsistent over the years, and adding a coach with Collins’ expertise could go a long way in fixing that. South Carolina has some promising young players in the trenches, and Collins will be expected to take them to the next level.
Collins’ role could also include working alongside current defensive coordinator Clayton White to help fine-tune the Gamecocks’ overall defensive strategy. While White has led South Carolina to respectable finishes in the defensive rankings over the past few seasons, having Collins as a resource can only bolster the program’s defensive identity. Collins’ insight into SEC offenses, as well as his ability to recruit players that fit the defensive system, could provide an immediate impact on South Carolina’s overall defensive performance.
Looking ahead, Collins’ arrival represents a significant shift for South Carolina’s defense. The Gamecocks have some talented players returning in 2025, including linebacker Brad Johnson and cornerback Cam Smith, both of whom have the potential to be stars in the SEC. The defensive line will be bolstered by some talented newcomers as well as some returning players who are ready to take the next step.
The question that will loom large for South Carolina fans is whether Collins can make a quick impact on a defense that needs consistency, particularly in the face of powerful SEC offenses. A lot will depend on how well the players adjust to Collins’ coaching style and his scheme, but there’s no doubt that the potential is there for this defense to take a step forward.
For South Carolina, the stakes are high. While the offense, led by Spencer Rattler, is expected to be a strength, it will be the defense that could determine how far the Gamecocks go in 2025. With Collins’ expertise, the Gamecocks have the chance to be a more well-rounded team and contend with the heavyweights of the SEC.
Another aspect of Collins’ hiring that could have significant ramifications is his impact on South Carolina’s recruiting. Collins has established strong ties with recruits across the Southeast and has been successful in attracting talent to Georgia Tech, Temple, and other stops along his coaching journey. As an experienced recruiter, he will be expected to help South Carolina build a defensive unit that can compete with the best in the SEC.
Collins’ history of developing players at the defensive end, linebacker, and cornerback positions will be particularly beneficial for South Carolina, which has shown promise in some of these areas but has not yet reached elite status. With his reputation as a defensive guru, Collins should be able to attract high-quality recruits to fill the needs that South Carolina’s defense has. Moreover, as the Gamecocks continue to build their program and aim for the upper echelon of the SEC, Collins will play a critical role in ensuring the defense remains competitive against the best teams in the country.
Collins’ arrival in Columbia marks a new era for South Carolina’s defense. His experience, combined with his track record of success in developing disruptive, tough defenses, should bring a much-needed boost to the Gamecocks’ efforts to become a more complete team. While the precise details of his role are yet to be fully clarified, the hiring of Jeff Collins speaks volumes about the direction Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are headed. With one of the top defensive minds in the game on their coaching staff, South Carolina is poised to take its next step toward becoming a true contender in the SEC.
