What new South Carolina track coach Tim Hall said about coaching Nyck Harbor
Tim Hall–South Carolina’s new track and field head coach–is no stranger to coaching dual-sport athletes and now he gets to coach his next one in Nyck Harbor.
The Gamecocks’ newly-hired head coach has done it before at previous stops as an assistant. And he can’t wait to start working with someone with Harbor’s skill and athleticism.
“Nyck is a tremendous dual-sport athlete that I can’t wait to get the opportunity to work with. I can’t wait to speak with coach Beamer to formulate a plan that’s going to be conducive for both sports,” Hall said in his introductory press conference. “I think they’re going to complement both with the things that we do and the things they do on the gridiron.”
Harbor committed to Shane Beamer and South Carolina football in February with the understanding that he’ll also run track while with the Gamecocks.
[Get news from GamecockCentral via email]
Hall will talk with Harbor at some point Tuesday afternoon, introducing himself to the high-profile athlete at South Carolina.
A five-star athlete has the potential to be an Olympian at some point during his career. And it’s up to Hall now to help get that out of him.
“I’m super excited about meeting him, putting a plan together for him. Then on the track try to recruit and put some pieces together to help him meet his ultimate goals,” Hall said. “I understand he’s very ambitious about track and doing it at the next level. It’s my job to put pieces around him to cultivate that and help him see his vision out.”
Hall is no stranger to coaching track athletes who also play football. He’s done it while at Clemson as an assistant.
There he coached CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford, who did both football and track with the Tigers. He’ll draw on those experiences to help develop Harbor into a formidable threat in the SEC and nationally.
The goal will be to get Harboer competing at an Olympic level while still keeping his body and skills sharp for when he’s running routes at Williams-Brice Stadium.
[Subscribe to GamecockCentral’s YouTube page]
“I know how to develop periodization which not only makes them faster. But makes the transition back to football a lot easier,” Hall said.
“I used to joke with Jacoby Ford all the time that he made everyone look like they were in the Matrix and he was just so fast. I’m looking forward to putting that experience and program in place for Nyck. To cultivate that speed, knowledge and talent so that it benefits him on the football field as well.”
Hall takes over from Curtis Frye, a legendary coach who spent nearly three decades with the Gamecocks. He was a highly-regarded assistant coming over from Kentucky. Now he’s getting back to his Carolinas roots in his first head coaching gig.
“This is home for me. My wife, Adrian, is from Gaffney, South Carolina. I’m from Charlotte, North Carolina. I’ve had several opportunities to take on leading a program. But God has his timing and purpose for everything,” Hall said.
“This opportunity presented itself for this moment. I’m so prepared for this moment and so excited for this moment. I can’t wait to get back to Colubma and get back home to start leading this program.”
