South Carolina coaches, players share early impressions of Dowell Loggains
When Luke Doty saw final confirmation that Dowell Loggains was coming to South Carolina to be the offensive coordinator, he fired off a quick text.
The message was to former Gamecock great Connor Shaw, who spent time with Loggains in the NFL with both the Browns and Bears. Doty asked how he liked Loggains, and the message he got back was nothing but positive.
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“I texted him right after I saw he got hired. I asked how was he and if (Shaw) liked him,” Doty said. “He said, ‘Yeah, man. He’s awesome and you’re going to love him. He’s going to do some great things for y’all.’ If the GOAT says he’s all right, he’s probably all right.”
That’s what the general consensus around the building has been from both players and coaches in terms of Loggains, who now takes control of the Gamecocks’ offense.
Loggains has only been around for bowl practice and for some evaluation. But he has gotten to talk with a lot of the staff and players who will be on the roster next season.
“Just his charisma. He’s a cool guy. The first day here he personally walked by and greeted every person, not just the offense but I think the team. That says a lot to me about him as a person and a man,” Juju McDowell said.
“We had a couple of conversations. He’s a cool guy. I’m ecstatic to see what we can do here seeing what he did at previous schools and programs. We had a couple of conversations and we’re about to make something happen.”
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Dakereon Joyner–who announced his return for 2023–called Loggains a “very brilliant” and “intelligent guy.”
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Both South Carolina coordinators said positive things as well, mentioning Loggains’ fit with the rest of the coaching staff.
“I’m very excited. I can’t tell you how many people texted me and called me once they heard we were hiring him,” Pete Lembo said. “People spoke so highly of him as a person and coach. The next morning I was in here early. He comes down to my office and sits down. And we talked for almost an hour and a half: family, life, coaching philosophy, the personnel on our team. As I was sitting here getting to know him, I kept thinking about how great a fit this guy is for our organization.”
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Loggains has talked with Juice Wells also who still has a lingering NFL decision to make.
“The first day he came here I met him and we talked for a little bit. I talked to him on the phone also a few times,” Wells said. “He’s been laid back letting the coaches coach. When his time comes he’ll come in and do his thing for sure.”
What Loggians’ scheme totally looks like is unclear, but McDowell likes the potential after seeing the Arkansas offense Loggains was in when South Carolina played at Arkansas.
“I remember him going to Arkansas and we ended up playing Arkansas. We got to witness some of the playcalling,” McDowell said. “I like his schemes. His scheme would work tremendously well in this organization with the amount of talent we have…He gave me an uplifting spirit to confirm we’re going to have a pretty good season this year.”
