It happened early Thursday evening in the Palmetto State as message boards and media types aglow erupted with Will Muschamp noise on the possibility of his hiring being imminent at South Carolina.

Rivals.com reported Wednesday that Muschamp was mulling defensive coordinator offers at Auburn and Texas A&M along with a possible NFL assistant gig, but the Gamecocks’ option was even sweeter, a potential title of head coach-in-waiting after Steve Spurrier’s expected retirement in ‘2-3 years.’

Spurrier’s working relationship with the former Florida head coach is well-documented and the Gamecocks happen to be in need of new blood on the defensive side of the football coming off their worst statistical season during the HBC’s tenure.

Spurrier told The State this week that no assistant coaches on defense have been fired.

“All our coaches are out recruiting. All of our coaches are under contract,” Spurrier said. “Some of them may get a job somewhere else, you never know, and we’ll go from there. We are probably pretty flexible right now a little bit on the staff, but I believe that almost all of our guys will be back.”

Earlier this month, Orlando Sentinel Florida Gators beat writer George Diaz gave reasons why Muschamp would be ‘the perfect fit‘ at South Carolina.

Auburn’s believed to be the leader for Muschamp’s services but if the head coach-in-waiting offer is extended from South Carolina’s side, Muschamp could land in Columbia.

Coaching searches escalate quickly and there’s often a ton of bad information thrown out from potential sources along with agents hoping to ‘sweeten the pot’ for current clients. Sifting through half-truths and information with potential can become tiring:

Interesting day ahead for UF coaching search.As for the rumors about Will Muschamp, Aub/A&M are great,but South Carolina would my choice. — brady ackerman (@bradyack) December 4, 2014

@SCGamecocksWIN Can’t confirm it at this point. We have to get it from someone involved with the search. Positive signs, but not confirmed. — John Whittle (@johnmwhittle) December 5, 2014

Are these Muschamp to South Carolina rumors legit? Twitter can’t keep teasing me like this. — Dan (@ToTheBreakOfDan) December 5, 2014

The South Carolina boards are crazy. They still have a DC and are convinced they are getting Muschamp. — Random Vol Fan (@Sabanocchio) December 5, 2014

Can you imagine? Spurrier teaches Muschamp for 3 years. Muschamp takes over. South Carolina dominates. — George P. Burdell (@JortsTorture) December 2, 2014