South Carolina enters season with new faces

South Carolina enters season with new faces

By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Usually four new assistants means big problems for a football staff. At South Carolina, it's just Steve Spurrier's latest step at chasing a Southeastern Conference title.

The Gamecocks have new assistants to lead running backs, special teams, linebackers and the secondary. There's a new head of the team's strength and conditioning program. And while Lorenzo Ward's not new to the Gamecocks' staff, he's running the show on defense for the first time.

Spurrier thinks the group has blended well during the offseason and is ready to jump right in. The Gamecocks come off the best season in school history, going 11-2 to set a program record for victories.

Ward takes over for respected coordinator Ellis Johnson, who left in December to become head coach at Southern Mississippi.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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