When it came to putting the finishing touches on his South Carolina coaching staff, Will Muschamp has reached back to his old chomping grounds to do it.
Following up on reports that first surfaced Monday, the Gamecocks announced in a press release Tuesday that Muschamp has hired Mike Peterson to join him in Columbia. Specifically, Peterson will be Muschamp’s outside linebackers coach.
The move officially completes Muschamp’s first USC staff.
“Mike’s another great example for our student-athletes at the University of South Carolina for what he’s accomplished,” said Coach Muschamp. “He played at a high level and demonstrated great character and class throughout the time that we worked together at Florida. His vast NFL experience and knowledge of our schemes will complement our staff.”
In February of 2014, Muschamp, then Florida’s head coach, announced that he had added Peterson as a full-time member of his strength & conditioning staff. He was retained after Muschamp was canned and replaced by Jim McElwain.
Peterson was an All-American linebacker at UF before going on to a 14-year career in the NFL that ended with his 2013 retirement. He was inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.