South Carolina Head Coach Shane Beamer has his coaching staff for 2021 set after taking up his job as a running back trainer on Friday. Even before he hired Montario Hardesty, who played in the NFL, Beamer was explaining the professional experience of playing and training on his team.
“I’m going to set ours against anyone,” said Beamer as he addressed his team on the SEC Network’s coverage of the national signing day.
Seven of Beamer’s ten assistant field coaches and two of his strength coaches have NFL experience. In addition, Football Relations Director and former Gamecocks defender Connor Shaw spent three years in the NFL with Cleveland and Chicago.
Marcus Satterfield, offensive coordinator and defenders – Auxiliary technician of the Carolina Panthers offensive line (2020)
Greg Adkinsoffensive line – Buffalo Bills tight ends trainer (2013-14)
Clayton White, defensive coordinator and internal linebackers – New York Giants (2001-02), Tampa Bay (2003)
Mike Peterson, external linebackers – Indianapolis Colts (1999-02), Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-08), Atlanta Falcons (2009-12)
Torrian Graysecondary – Minnesota Vikings (1997-99), defensive back coach for the Washington Football Team (2017-18)
Montario Hardestyrunning backs – Cleveland Browns (2010-13)
Jimmy Lindseydefensive line – Minority coaching internship program with the following teams: Cleveland Browns (2006), Detroit Lions (2008), Denver Broncos (2010), San Diego Chargers (2013)
Luke Day, head strength and conditioning trainer – Intern at New Orleans Saints (2010), assistant to Cincinnati Bengals. strength trainer (2011-12)
Chip Morton, assistant strength and conditioning trainer – San Diego Chargers asst. strength coach (1992-94), strength coach Carolina Panthers (1995-98), Baltimore Ravens asst. strength coach (2000-01), principal strength coach of the Washington Football Team (2002), principal strength coach of Cincinnati Bengals (2003-2018)
Meet the 2021 South Carolina Football Technical Team | Jaycee Horn could be ‘a great NFL journalist’
“When you talk about our offensive coordinator, Marcus Satterfield, he comes from the Carolina Panthers and was close to Matt Rhule,” said Beamer. “In our defensive room, I don’t know if there is a more talented defensive technical team anywhere in the country. Clayton White played in the NFL. Torrian Gray played in the NFL. Mike Peterson has had a long career in the NFL. Torrian also trained in the NFL. It’s a great group that I’m excited for. We haven’t been together much, but the connection and vibrancy in this building is something our players and coaches like. “
White was a three-year letterman on the linebacker at NC State (1997-2000), ending his career in the Wolfpack record book in several categories, including career tackles for defeat (33), one-season tackles for defeat (16) and tackles in a single game (23). He had a three-year career in the NFL with the New York Giants (2001-02) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003).
Peterson played as a linebacker in the 1995-98 coach Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators. He was a member of the 1996 Gators team that finished 12-1 and won the national college football championship. As a veteran in 1998, he served as a team captain, earned the All-SEC and All-America honors from the first team. He was nominated for the University of Florida’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Big Gator” in 2011. Peterson started 24 of the 42 games in which he played, posted 249 tackles, three forced fumbles, 13 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks. Peterson was a second-round pick (36th overall) for the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft. He received second team All-Pro honors in 2005. During his career in the NFL, Peterson recorded 883 tackles in 196 games with 21.5 sacks and 19 interceptions.
Gray played collegially at Virginia Tech and became a national team three times at every conference. He helped lead the Hokies to two conference titles. He was called up by Minnesota Vikings in the second round (49th overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Vikings before retiring after a knee injury that ended his career in the spring of 2000.
Hardesty played running back while earning his bachelor’s degree in sports management in Tennessee, graduating in 2009. He won the SEC’s second fully honorable team as a senior when he came in fourth in the league in 1,345-yard races, the fourth largest in the school history, and scored 14 touchdowns. He ran for 2,391 yards, the ninth in Vols’ history, and scored 27 touchdowns during his Rocky Top career. Hardesty was a second-round pick for Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft. In his first preseason game, he suffered an ACL break and was sidelined for the entire season. He played 23 games with the Browns during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, totaling 153 carries for 537 yards and 16 receptions for 138 yards. He was placed on the injury reserve in 2013, after arthroscopic knee surgery, and was discharged later that year.