Carolina names new offensive coordinator. What can Gamecock fans expect?

It did not take South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp long to find his new offensive coordinator.

David Cloninger of the Charleston Post and Courier posted the break, officially, December 8.

The hire is still pending Board of Trustee approval, which is expected to go through the coming Tuesday.

After demoting wide receiver coach Bryan McClendon, and firing quarterbacks coach Dan Werner, Muschamp named former Colorado State head coach Mike Bobo to attempt to turn around an anemic offense, and coach quarterbacks.

Bobo made his way to Carolina after negotiating his resignation from Colorado State, likely more for State's benefit to lessen the cost of Bobo's reported buyout of $5.5 million. That amount dropped to $3 million if Bobo was let go after December 31.

LINK: Bobo headlines possibilities for new South Carolina offensive coordinator

The moves also follows a pattern with Muschamp and looking at fellow Georgia alums. Muschamp and Bobo both played for the Bulldogs, along with running back coach Thomas Brown.

So what can Carolina fans expect from a Bobo offense?

Look to remain a pro-style offense. Bobo is not bringing an offense similar to what Oregon or Oklahoma runs.  You will see some hurry up, but don't expect to stay there for a whole game.

Get a more in-depth look here. You can also look back at offenses during his time as Georgia's offensive coordinator from 2006-2014. He coached Georgia QBs Matthew Stafford, Aaron Murray and David Greene.

The program also gets a proven recruiter and developer. Bobo has deep ties in Georgia, a key recruiting area for South Carolina.

Bobo brought in a pair of future pro wide receivers while at Colorado State in Olabisi Johnson and Michael Gallup.

His touches on recruiting likely will not be felt until the 2021 class, with much of Carolina's 2020 class committed. Bobo could bring in a guy or two to round out the class.

On a negative note, Colorado State gradually declined under Bobo on offense, but the Rams' worst season still bests Carolina's numbers on offense in 2019.

Under McClendon, the Gamecocks averaged 22.4 points per game in 2019, with 371.9 yards and five yards per play. If you take out a 72-point showing against Charleston Southern, South Carolina averaged 17.9 points per game.

In Bobo's worst year, 2018, Colorado State averaged 22.8 points and 410 yards per game, and 5.5 yards per play. In 2019, CSU averaged 28.1 points and 437.2 yards per game, and six yards per play.

Below are the first three years under Bobo at Colorado State.

• 2015: 33.4 points, 493.2 yards, 6.6 yards/play
• 2016: 35.3 points, 462.5 yards, 6.7 yards/play
• 2017: 33.4 points, 493.2 yards, 6.6 yards/play

Looking ahead to 2020, the offense faces unknowns at the skill positions.

Gone is top receiver Bryan Edwards, who set multiple records during his career, and finished with 816 yards and six scores. Also gone are three tailbacks -- Tavien Feaster, Rico Dowdle and Mon Denson -- who combined for 1,393 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Also graduated is center Donell Stanley.

Quarterback Ryan Hilinski returns for his sophomore year, after throwing for 2,357 yards and 11 scores. He completed 58 percent of his passes, but threw five interceptions.

With Edwards gone, along with tight end Kyle Markaway, there are big question marks at receiver. Shi Smith has shown in the past to be a big play threat, but was underused in 2019, with just 489 yards and two touchdowns.

The next two top receivers are Josh Vann (171 yards) and tight end Nick Muse (158 yards). Also, the door at tailback is wide open, with returnees Kevin Harris (179 yards, four touchdowns) and Deshaun Fenwick (111 yards) returning.

Bobo will have an experienced offense line group, with tackles Dylan Wonnum, Jalen Nichols and Jakai Moore all returning, and guards Jovaughn Gwyn, Jordan Rhodes and Eric Douglas all logging snaps in 2019.

Also returning is center Hank Manos, who has two starts under his belt.

So what should Carolina fans expect in 2020?

To me, Bobo's offense from 2019. That would give Carolina an extra touchdown a game, which would have given Carolina wins over North Carolina and Appalachian State. That is the difference from going to a bowl game.

At most, fans should hope to average 30 points a game. With so much unknown on offense entering the year, expecting a complete turnaround of success and averaging over 35 points per game just seems like too much.