Luke Doty Joins South Carolina Coaching Staff, Bringing Leadership Full Circle
COLUMBIA - For Luke Doty, this next chapter feels less like a career pivot and more like a natural continuation of a journey that’s always been about leadership, loyalty, and love for the game.
After six seasons in garnet and black, Doty is staying right where it all started - but now he’s trading in the helmet for a headset. The former South Carolina quarterback has officially joined Shane Beamer’s staff for the 2026 season, stepping into a role as a defensive assistant working with the Gamecocks' secondary.
If that sounds like a surprising transition for a guy who spent most of his college career on the offensive side of the ball, well, it’s not as out of left field as it seems. Doty’s football IQ has always been off the charts, and his versatility as a player - quarterback, receiver, even kick returner - gave him a rare, full-field perspective. That’s the kind of insight coaches dream of bringing into a defensive meeting room.
Doty’s new title, listed on his social media as “defensive assistant/DBs,” puts him alongside veteran secondary coach Torrian Gray and under the guidance of defensive coordinator Clayton White. It’s a unique opportunity for Doty to contribute to a unit that’s been central to South Carolina’s identity under Beamer - fast, aggressive, and constantly evolving.
But beyond the Xs and Os, what makes this move special is what Doty represents to the program.
He’s been a steady presence through ups and downs, a player who never wavered in his commitment to the team. Even as LaNorris Sellers took over the starting QB job the past two seasons, Doty remained a vocal leader and a constant source of energy on the sideline. Teammates even started calling him “Coach Doty” - a nickname that now feels prophetic.
His academic path speaks volumes, too. Doty earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and followed that up with a master’s in coaching education with an emphasis in mental performance. That’s not just a résumé line - it’s a reflection of how seriously he takes the craft of coaching and the mental side of the game.
Now, as he steps into an official coaching role, Doty gets to pour all of that knowledge, experience, and passion back into the very program that shaped him. He’ll be working with players he once shared a locker room with, guiding the next wave of Gamecocks who watched him lead by example - whether it was under center, lining up out wide, or hyping up his teammates from the sideline.
This isn’t just a feel-good story about a former player sticking around. It’s a strategic move by a staff that values culture, continuity, and character. And Luke Doty checks every one of those boxes.
For South Carolina, having Doty on staff means more than adding another football mind to the room - it means reinforcing the foundation of what Shane Beamer has been building: a program where commitment is rewarded, leadership is cultivated, and the bond between player and school runs deep.
Doty’s playing days may be over, but his impact on Gamecock football is far from finished. In fact, it might just be getting started.