A familiar face will be on the opposing sideline for South Carolina-Alabama
South Carolina faces a tough test this Saturday. The Gamecocks are headed west to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide just one week after the first loss of the Kalen DeBoer era, a defeat at the hands of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
On the opposing sideline, a familiar face will wear an Alabama headset. Former South Carolina running backs coach Robert Gillespie is the running backs coach and assistant head coach for the ‘Tide. He is one of three coaches to share the assistant head coach title. After Nick Saban hired him back in 2021, 2024 is his fourth year with the program.
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Gillespie played for former South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier when the Head Ball Coach was coaching the Florida Gators and Washington Redskins. Spurrier hired Gillespie in an off-field role in 2005 but promoted him after one season. During his four years with the South Carolina football program, he helped coach former Gamecock Cory Boyd. One of thirteen running backs coached by Gillespie to make it to the NFL, Boyd finished his career as one of the top backs in Carolina history.
This year, Gillespie’s position group has two players who have posted impressive numbers. Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have combined for over 600 yards of offense and 8 touchdowns through five games. Both Miller and Haynes have logged a 100-yard game and are averaging over 7 yards per carry.
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While freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams and quarterback Jalen Milroe steal the headlines, slowing down Coach Gillespie’s unit also will be of utmost importance this weekend.
Saturday will not be Gillespie’s first time facing the Gamecocks. In fact, he has coached against South Carolina six other times. He went 3-2 against USC with the Tennessee Volunteers (2013-2017) and 1-0 with the North Carolina Tar Heels (2019).
This weekend’s matchup between the ‘Cocks and the ‘Tide begins at Noon ET. ABC will broadcast the game, and fans also can stream the contest on ESPN+ or the ESPN app.
