What Shawn Elliott said during his introductory press conference

South Carolina tight ends coach/run game coordinator Shawn Elliott was officially introduced by Shane Beamer on Tuesday. Here’s what Elliott had to say about his return to the Gamecocks.

— Awesome opportunity to be back here. It almost seems like he hasn’t left. Always kept up with South Carolina.

— When this position became available, this was something he wanted to do. He reached out to Shane.

— Most important people in his life still live here in Columbia/Camden area. Looking forward to making an impact.

— Started looking at personal goals when he came back here. His son plays at AC Flora. Would love for him to come here to SC. If he could coach on this sideline with his son playing and daughter cheering here, that would be something for him as a dad.

— Not going to call it a challenge to be working with tight ends here. It makes you involved in everything.

— Thinks they lost 22 players at Georgia State to P5 programs. That had no impact on him wanting to come back to SC. Never one to run away from a problem. This is something he wanted.

— Hasn’t even thought about becoming a head coach again. Super stoked to be here as the tight ends coach. As excited today as he was when he became the tight ends coach at App State or anywhere else he has been.

— It’s incredible to be back here. A lot of relief, especially with his family still being here.

— You know you’ve made an impact when you have former guys talking good about you coming back. It means a lot to make a difference in someone’s life.

— It was a pretty quick jump to come back to Columbia. Got a call from Beamer. He knew midweek last week that he was coming back.

— Taking the job at Georgia State was what he needed to do to establish himself as a head coach. He needed to build something to be proud of.

— Decision to leave his family was one of the most difficult. He knew he was making the right decision for him and them.

— Put 110,000 miles on his 2021 truck to go back here and see his family all the time. Nothing was going to stop him. It all worked out.

— Had early spring practice planned at Georgia State. Had no indication this job at SC would happen. Got 2 days in before getting a call from Beamer. Had really good open conversations with his team about moving on. A lot of congratulations and hugs. Go be great.

— Going to see where deficiencies are in the run game. As we sit here today, they haven’t talked about the run game yet.

— Didn’t know much of the roster coming in. He had guys tell him where they’re from and who they are.
— Going to hopefully help Lonnie Teasley and the offensive line. They all know what the goal is: to be the best in every aspect. If Lonnie needs anything, he’s going to help him out. Doesn’t have an ego. Wants to help everyone he can help.

— Remembers the most passionate fan base you can have when he was here the first time. The support at South Carolina is incredible. The love he has for this place is a lot. Can’t go anywhere without Gamecock fans being everywhere. They’re so fired up. They’ve always had it.

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!