After years in the NFL, South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Shula enjoying the challenge of recruiting and developing

South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Shula spent 17 straight years as an NFL assistant before returning to college last fall. Now, in his second year with the Gamecocks, he is the team’s offensive coordinator, a much different role than the offensive analyst position he held in his first year in Columbia.

Despite the job shift, Shula is enjoying some of the challenges that come with the new title.

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Speaking to the media on Monday, Shula called recruiting “refreshing.” That is not a sentiment shared by many who have worked at both the college and NFL levels. Recruiting is a lot of work, and depending on how kids between ages 15 and 18 react, a coach’s efforts don’t always earn reciprocal reward.

Still, Shula is enjoying himself as a recruiter.

“Now you see these guys when you’re recruiting them, and they’re 16, 17, 18 years old…So they’re bright-eyed, and you can kind of see what they’re about and learn more about them each time they come on campus and get to know them and their families. And it’s been good, that’s been refreshing. And I’m looking forward to continuing to gather as much information about guys and bringing the right guys in here, like Coach Beamer talks about.”

Since coming on staff at USC, Shula has helped the Gamecocks secure a commitment from 3-star class of 2025 product Cutter Woods and highly-regarded transfer portal addition Air Noland. Woods committed when Shula was an analyst but signed after his promotion. Noland committed and signed after Shula earned the OC gig.

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Shula also understands that recruiting is only part of the roster improvement equation. The long-time coach takes his role as a developer seriously.

Starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers spoke highly earlier this offseason of his new OC’s influence on his game, saying Shula’s new role “is not really a big change” because of his previous involvement with the quarterbacks and game planning. Veteran athlete Luke Doty–a player who is back in the quarterback room after bouncing between the position and wide receiver throughout his career–credited Shula by saying, “You can definitely tell” the ways he has helped mold Sellers into one of the country’s brightest stars.

One of the most undervalued parts of player development is a coach’s ability to lead his players to compete well without sacrificing the brotherhood of a healthy team.

“Our guys communicate well. They get along well at all the positions,” Shula said on Monday. “They know they’re competing, yes, on paper, against each other, but they’re also competing with each other. There are good friendships,” he explained.

Shula credits the South Carolina football culture with creating an environment in which healthy competition and development come naturally. “I think some of these younger guys come in and have a chance to visit us, they see that culture. They see the relationship that guys have when they’re competing for jobs. But they also have a good relationship.”

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Shula had his first public opportunity to lead the Gamecocks’ offense in the Citrus Bowl following the 2024 season. He will have his next chance soon.

South Carolina will play its annual Garnet and Black Spring Game this Friday night. The 7:30 p.m. exhibition will not be on television or available via streaming. However, fans can come to Williams-Brice Stadium and attend the event for free.

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