South Carolina Brings in Veteran OL Coach Randy Clements to Rebuild the Trenches
South Carolina’s offensive line is getting a much-needed overhaul, and the man tasked with leading the charge is Randy Clements - a seasoned coach with a track record of building tough, productive units in the trenches. Officially introduced on Friday, Clements joins the Gamecocks alongside new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, continuing a long-standing partnership that’s spanned more than a decade and four different programs.
While Clements doesn’t have deep ties to head coach Shane Beamer, his extensive history with Briles is a key part of this hire. The two have worked together at multiple stops, and their shared offensive philosophy could be a major asset as South Carolina looks to bounce back from a frustrating 2025 season on that side of the ball.
But there’s another, more personal connection that links Clements to Columbia - and it comes from an unexpected source.
The Adaway Connection
Former Gamecock running back Oscar Adaway, who just wrapped up his college career in Columbia, played under Clements at North Texas during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. While Adaway isn’t an offensive lineman himself, he got an up-close look at how Clements operates - and he couldn’t speak more highly of the hire.
“What a whole-hearted man he is, and what a cool dude,” Adaway said. “But when it comes down to it, honestly, bro - he’s a footballologist.”
That’s not a real word, but you get the point. Adaway’s praise wasn’t just about personality - it was about performance.
He described Clements as a coach who simplifies the game for his players and consistently gets results. “Wherever he goes, he gets five guys, and they move the line of scrimmage,” Adaway said.
“That’s what we want, that’s what we need.”
Proven Production in the Run Game
The numbers back it up. In 2022, Clements’ offensive line at North Texas helped the Mean Green average 201.7 rushing yards per game - second-best in Conference USA and top-25 nationally. The year before, even in a volunteer role, Clements helped guide a unit that led C-USA in rushing and ranked fifth in the country with 233.5 yards per game.
Adaway missed that 2021 season due to an ACL injury, but he was a key part of the 2022 rushing attack, finishing third on the team with 583 yards and five touchdowns. He credits Clements’ teaching ability as a major reason for the unit’s success.
“One thing that’s overlooked when it comes to coaches is that to be a coach, you’ve got to be able to teach,” Adaway said. “If you can’t get to a player and teach them something, he’ll just be a raw athlete instead of a good football player.
He’s a great teacher… down to earth, and he’s going to tell you what it is and what it ain’t. That’s what you need in a great football coach.”
A Resume That Speaks Volumes
Clements brings more than just recent success at North Texas. He’s coached at Baylor, North Carolina, and Florida State, producing eight NFL Draft picks, 13 All-Big 12 selections, six All-Americans, and mentoring All-ACC talent along the way. His experience spans Power Five and Group of Five programs, and he’s seen success in every conference he’s touched - from the ACC to the SEC to the American and Conference USA.
Adaway also pointed to Clements’ recruiting chops, calling them “outrageous,” and said the veteran coach will fit right in with the culture South Carolina is building.
“He’ll fit into the program because he’s a footballologist, and he wants to win,” Adaway said. “South Carolina wants to win.
We want to be on that stage at the end of the season. He just wants to win like every other South Carolinian wants to.”
The Task Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it - South Carolina’s offensive line struggled mightily last season. The Gamecocks allowed a conference-worst 43 sacks and ranked near the bottom of the SEC in nearly every offensive category. That’s why Beamer didn’t just bring in a new offensive line coach - he overhauled the entire offensive staff, hiring Briles as OC and Stan Drayton to coach running backs.
Clements now inherits a group with potential but in need of serious development. The good news?
He’s done this before. He’s built lines from scratch, elevated under-recruited talent, and helped turn average units into dominant ones.
“Plenty of potential,” Adaway said. “You have Randy Clements coaching these guys - he’s done it forever and a day. He’s done it at every single stage… There’s bound to be greatness with the O-line this year.”
South Carolina fans have every reason to hope that’s true. Because if Clements can replicate what he’s done elsewhere - and if his long-standing connection with Briles translates to Columbia - the Gamecocks might just have the foundation to turn things around in the trenches. And in the SEC, that’s where every rebuild starts.