Report: Tom Herman would have taken South Carolina job if not for their loss to The Citadel

The biggest name in the coaching cycle during the 2015 college football season was Houston head coach Tom Herman. His name had come up with several jobs after leading the Cougars to a 13-1 season and a win in the Peach Bowl over Florida State.

One job that he was a big candidate for was the South Carolina vacancy. In fact, according to USA TODAY’s Dan Wolken, the Gamecocks nearly landed Herman had it not been for an embarrassing late season loss.

From Wolken’s report:

“Those same people, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity, said Herman’s mind changed after South Carolina lost to The Citadel on Nov. 21 and it became clear the next coach would have a massive rebuilding job on his hands. Herman decided to stay at Houston for a deal worth nearly $3 million per year and, presumably, wait for a more high-profile situation.”

Herman has done a terrific job with the Cougars and they look to be just as good in 2016. They enter the season with the highest-rated recruiting class of all Group of Five conference teams.

It is pretty clear that Herman would have only left for the South Carolina job as he signed an extension just weeks after the Peach Bowl. Gamecock fans better hope that Will Muschamp can do something great in Columbia, because, if not, they will be left dreaming of what could have been.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA Today Sports

OSU WR Michael Thomas makes sick 1-handed grab during Combine training
OSU WR Michael Thomas makes sick 1-handed grab during Combine training