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blank Eric Wolford
Eric Wolford is in his first season with the Gamecocks. He was named University of South Carolina's running game coordinator and offensive line coach on January 6, 2009. Wolford came to Carolina following a two-year stint at Illinois where he held a similar position. In his two years with the Illini, Wolford's lines led the Big Ten Conference in rushing (2007) and passing (2008) in back-to-back seasons. Averaging 269.3 yards in the air, the Illini ranked first in the Big Ten in the category and 19th nationally in 2008. The team finished the season second in the conference in total offense with 438.8 yards per contest, which also ranked 19th in the NCAA. Illinois' total yards topped 5,000 for just the fourth time in school history and for the second consecutive year. Three members of the line earned postseason honors for their performances. In 2007, Wolford's veteran offensive line led the Illini offense to 3,338 rushing yards, the most in school history, and paved the way for running back Rashard Mendenhall's record-setting season. The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Mendenhall broke school records for rushing yards, rushing TDs and total TDs in a season. The offensive line allowed just 16 sacks, a school record and the second-fewest in the Big Ten. Individual honors followed, with left guard Martin O'Donnell earning Associated Press first-team All-America honors. Prior to Illinois, Wolford spent the previous three seasons as the offensive line coach at Arizona. During that time UA led the Pac-10 in fewest sacks allowed in 2004 and was second 2005. Wolford tutored two All-Pac-10 performers on the offensive line, including Eben Britton, who also was named a Sporting News All-American in 2006. In addition to his strong coaching skills, Wolford was an integral part of Arizona's back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes. Wolford spent 2003 at North Texas, where his offensive line paved the way for Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Patrick Cobbs, who rushed for a league-record 1,690 yards. Cobbs averaged 152 yards and 11.5 points per game, leading the NCAA. Two UNT linemen earned first-team all-conference honors. Wolford also helped lead the Mean Green to an appearance in the New Orleans Bowl. Wolford enjoyed three-year stints at both Houston and South Florida. While at Houston, he coached a number of positions spanning offense, defense and special teams. In 2002, Houston enjoyed a dramatic turnaround, going from a winless season to five victories. During that time, Wolford coached five all-conference players. Wolford had the unique experience of coaching in the first three seasons of the South Florida football program, helping to lead the Bulls to two winning seasons. In year two, the offense put up over 400 yards per game, including 191.5 rushing yards per contest. The Youngstown, Ohio, native began his coaching career at his alma mater where he served as a G.A. and worked with the offensive line. From there, he spent two seasons as the offensive line and strength coach at Emporia State. Wolford was a four-year starter at Kansas State under Bill Snyder and his teams laid the groundwork for the program's emergence on the national stage. His senior year, the Wildcats won the school's first bowl game in the 1993 Copper Bowl. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1994 in social sciences with a focus on monetary policy and banking. After college, Wolford signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Wolford and his wife, Melinda, have a son, Stone, and a daughter, Marlee. |
