How Mike Bobo being hired by South Carolina could impact CSU

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Mike Bobo appears to have already found his next gig.

According to a report from the Post and Courier, Bobo will be named offensive coordinator at South Carolina. David Cloninger, who covers the Gamecocks, wrote that “barring a last-minute change of heart, Mike Bobo will be named South Carolina’s offensive coordinator.”

Cloninger cited three sources in his report and stated that Bobo’s contract is expected to be approved by USC’s Board of Trustees this Tuesday.

Bobo returning to the SEC is unsurprising. It was no secret that he always hoped to return to the league as a head coach someday. Some speculated that Bobo would go back to Georgia and work under his longtime friend Kirby Smart. But South Carolina makes a lot of sense as well.

The Gamecocks had the 104th best scoring offense in the country in 2019 with an average of 22.4 points per game. Comparatively, the Rams averaged 28.1 points per game under Bobo this season, even after losing Collin Hill for the year and kicking running back Marvin Kinsey off the team.

With Bobo expected to take the job at South Carolina, the two big questions for the Ram faithful are now: 1. Who will be his replacement at CSU? 2. Will Hill follow his mentor to the SEC?

Coming off of a third ACL injury, there’s a chance that Hill will choose to forego his playing career altogether. Considering he’s a native of Moore, S.C., and already has obtained his degree, though, it wouldn’t be shocking if Hill decided to go with Bobo to South Carolina, especially if he intends on continuing to play or begin a career in coaching.

If Hill were to leave CSU, the remaining scholarship quarterbacks on the roster would be Patrick O’Brien and Justice McCoy. O’Brien filled in well during his time as the starter and still has a season of eligibility, so it’s not as if the Rams would be up creek without a paddle. But it’s certainly a situation to monitor in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, CSU fans will anxiously wait to find out who next head coach of the Rams will be. CSU’s Director of Athletics Joe Parker said last Wednesday that they intended to find a replacement as soon as possible. And with the early signing period just around the corner, the Rams’ hourglass is running out of sand.