Ellis Johnson worth the money to Spurrier, South Carolina

Now, South Carolina is ready to boost its payroll by handing assistant coach and defensive chief Ellis Johnson a comparable salary, which is expected to be a done deal today. Call it a reward or just keeping up with the Joneses, Johnson is well worth the bump. I’ve come across few coaches that know more about the defensive side of the game. Johnson, 58, can relate to players and is a tremendous teacher. And it’s shown on the football field in numbers. The former Citadel head coach and coordinator at Clemson, Alabama and Mississippi State has had the Gamecock ‘D’ ranked among the best in the SEC the last two years. At the end of 2009, USC sat third in total defense in the league behind Alabama and Florida, which happened to be No. 2 and No. 4, respectively. The Gamecocks finished 15th. In his short time, he’s helped recruit some pretty good football players, including cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who started every game as a true freshman and is already being touted as a potential Gamecock great… And Spurrier isn’t crazy. Johnson kind of fell into his lap a couple years ago and is allowing Spurrier to leave that side of the ball alone — something he couldn’t do under some of his former DCs. There’s nothing wrong with holding onto a good thing — no matter the cost. – Independent Mail

Louisiana Tech begins search for new coach

Although potential candidates for the Louisiana Tech football coaching vacancy dropped by at least one on Monday, other quality names continue to surface. Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn issued a statement Monday saying he was not interested in the Tech job. On the same day, Tech offensive coordinator Frank Scelfo and defensive coordinator Tommy Spangler interviewed for the job… Among the outside names that have surfaced as possible candidates at Tech are Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers coach Todd Monken, Houston co-offensive coordinator Jason Phillips, Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix, University of Texas assistant head coach Major Applewhite, Oklahoma State assistant head coach Joe Deforest, former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeil and North Alabama coach Terry Bowden. – Shreveport Times

According to reliable sources, (South )Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has been approached by Louisiana Tech about the possibility of him replacing Derrick Dooley, who was recently hired by Tennessee. He has been asked to interview for the position and is in the mix. – TheBigSpur.com

Should Steve Spurrier Retire?

Never, ever thought I would say this, but now I can’t keep it in any longer. I want Steve Spurrier to retire. Hopefully before Saturday. Before Urban Meyer brings his boys from Spurrier’s old Florida into South Carolina and beats the ballcoach’s brains out yet again. Meyer’s team has scored more than half-a-hundred on Spurrier’s team in each of the last two seasons. And when the No. 1-ranked Gators play Spurrier’s sinking Gamecocks Saturday, you can expect more of the same. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want Spurrier to end up like his old nemesis Bobby Bowden — with fans grousing and grumbling and counting the days until a once-great coach finally quits. Except for Spurrier, it would be worse. Much worse. Do we really want to see one of the greatest coaches in Southeastern Conference history get tossed out by South Carolina? This would be like some two-bit radio deejay at a 50-watt radio station in Opelika telling Elvis his music just doesn’t resonate anymore. – Orlando Sentinel

Scoop: Spurrier to Tennessee?

There’s a lot of talk that if Phillip Fulmer is fired as the Vols’ coach, Tennessee could go after native son and current South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier. There’s increasing speculation that CSS thinks he may not be able to right the ship in Columbia. If those rumors are true, UT could be his way out…

Other Tennessee Names: Tampa Bay Bucs Coach Jon Gruden, Duke Coach David Cutcliffe, ECU Coach Skip Holtz, Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville…

Other South Carolina Names: Michigan State Coach Mark D’Antonio, Former Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin, ECU Coach Skip Holtz, Georgia Southern Coach Chris Hatcher, Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach, Current DC Ellis Johnson (who we think would be the prefect pick)…

“Scoop” posted on FRM is gathered from around the country from numerous sources within the coaching community…