Former South Carolina QB Tanner Bailey announces retirement from football

South Carolina quarterback Tanner Bailey made a surprising announcement on Wednesday regarding his future, revealing through a heartfelt Instagram post that he will be retiring from the game of football.

Bailey spent just two seasons with the Gamecocks, serving as a backup quarterback for South Carolina the past two years after joining the program as a part of their 2022 signing class.

Bailey played high school football in Gordo, Alabama, where he was a four-star prospect ranked the No. 347 overall player and the No. 19 quarterback in the nation for the 2022 recruiting cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

In his senior year at Gordo Bailey completed 131 of of his 217 pass attempts for 2,401 yards and 33 touchdowns, choosing South Carolina as his school of choice over programs like Alabama, Oregon, Michigan, Florida State, and many others.

Bailey made no game appearances in his freshman season for the Gamecocks but did see some action in the fourth quarter last season when South Carolina took on Furman in Week 2.

Bailey planned to enter the transfer portal this offseason, but clearly had a change of heart as he’ll be stepping away from the game of football entirely.

“Although some may not understand, or even agree, I have decided to hang up the cleats once and for all,” Bailey wrote in a part of his Instagram post. “I know the God I serve is faithful, and I have never been so excited to start a new chapter of my life. I no doubt will miss it and sometimes wonder why God has lead me down this path, but I know that the plan He sees is much greater than the one I see. I will always be thankful for all of the opportunities I’ve been given, from playing at Gordo High School, to the University of South Carolina, to having the chance to play at my dream school at Auburn University. I cannot express how much this game has shaped me as a person.”

South Carolina expected to hire former Texas A&M assistant James Coley

South Carolina is expected to hire James Coley as an offensive assistant coach, according to Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports. Coley has experience at several SEC programs and most recently the past three seasons at Texas A&M.

Coley coached the Aggies receiver in 2021 before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach the following season. He also has experience as an offensive coordinator at Florida State (2010-12, Miami (2013-15) and Georgia (2018-19).

Coley also coached briefly in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. He now joins a Gamecocks offense that finished just 12th in the SEC this past season in points per game (26.0). South Carolina finished 5-7 to miss a bowl game for the first time under Shane Beamer.

Hopefully Beamer has found the right fit in Coley to help the offense improve. The Gamecocks lose starting quarterback Spencer Rattler and receiver Juice Wells, but added a big name through the portal in Arkansas running back Rocket Sanders.

We’ll see whether those additions can help them get back to being competitive in the SEC East and at least reach a bowl game.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report