Shawn Elliott 'Glad To Be Back Home' At South Carolina
The feeling on Tuesday afternoon was that the gang's back together in South Carolina's Football program, at least to a certain degree. With two Gamecocks already on staff who've had a previous stint in Columbia as a coach or player in Shane Beamer and Travian Robertson, the program welcomed back Shawn Elliott on Tuesday afternoon when they made him available to media where as their new tight end coach conveyed, it almost felt like he never left.
"From afar and then from anear also, [I] always kept up with the University of South Carolina [and] how they were doing in so many different ways," Shawn stated. "When this position became available, I reached out and wanted them to know that this was something that I wanted to do for many reasons, but ultimately, I think [it was] for my family, the most important people in my life, live here in the state of South Carolina in the Columbia area, [and] my parents are still in Camden. It was just a move that I wanted to pursue."
Shawn Elliott shares an embrace with his daughter after his postgame handshake with Shane Beamer (3rd Sept., 2022)
Jeff Blake | USA Today Network
Shawn spent each of the last seven seasons as the head coach of the Georgia State Panthers, which was different because of the new job title and the lack of resources. All of this forced Elliott to learn how to ingratiate himself with everyone in the football program.
"At Georgia State, it was probably much different than it is here - You wore a lot of hats, you had to be a position coach, you had to coach special teams, you had to be involved in everything," Shawn explained. "The No. 1 thing I think I'll bring back is just ultimately how you totally involve yourself with the team - How do you fit [in] all their lives, and that was something that I had to find out how [to] do? What conversations do you start?"
When asked whether or not he's looking to become a head coach again in the future, the Palmetto State native conveyed that he hasn't even thought that far ahead yet. He wants to enjoy the moment he's in right now.
"If I can end my career right here coaching the tight ends at the University of South Carolina... then I'm thrilled to death," Elliott lamented. "This is a fantastic day. I'm thrilled to death; I couldn't be more excited to be here, and ultimately, I'm here to do one thing, and that's to make this football program better."
You Might Also Like:
- ICYMI: SEC Expected To Implement 9-Game Conference Schedule By 2026
- South Carolina Sees Several 2024 Opponents Listed In ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25
- Could Dante Reno Get Playing Time This Season?
Join the community:
- Follow Andrew Lyon on Twitter: @ALyon_SC
- Follow Joseph Griffin on Twitter: @JosephGriffinJG
- Follow Locked On Gamecocks on Youtube or wherever you get your podcasts
You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @GamecocksDigest and our page on Facebook!