Two days before the start of summer camp, and as expected, Stephen Garcia is officially back as a full-fledged member of the South Carolina football program.
And, just as expected, his position coach will soon join him outside of the doghouse.
Head coach Steve Spurrier confirmed to the Associated Press what he hinted at least week, that Garcia has been fully reinstated to the football program. Garcia had been suspended -- his fifth suspension since joining the Gamecocks four years ago -- since April following an alcohol-fueled incident at a university function.
He was partially reinstated in late May, and reports surfaced recently that one of the conditions of a return for Garcia was the quarterback successfully completing an outpatient alcohol treatment program. Apparently after completing that as well as complying with the other conditions set forth by the school, he’s back in the good graces of both his university and his coach.
“We think he’s going to do what’s right,” Spurrier said in a phone conversation with the AP. “Sometimes, it takes some guys a little longer, I guess.”
The Gamecocks will open summer camp Wednesday with Garcia in tow, as well as quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus. The assistant had been arrested last week for peeing in public and was immediately suspended.
A separate AP report notes that Mangus will be on the field when camp opens.