An electric day of Gamecock news saw many coaches receive contracts extensions and raises, but the news of the day came when we learned that Marcus Lattimore would return to USC on Will Muschamp’s coaching staff.

I am so blessed to a part of the @GamecockFB organization. I empathize with those guys in that locker room because I lived it. Football is their platform, not their purpose. I will be assisting in their preparation for life. #BeyondFootball #SpursUp

— Marcus Lattimore (@MarcusLattimore) January 11, 2018

He will serve as Director of Player Development. While this isn’t an on field role, his impact will be felt throughout the Gamecock program. Lattimore is a home-run hire for third year coach Will Muschamp.

I, for one, am absolutely ecstatic to have Marcus back involved with the Gamecock football program. While he was an outstanding player on the field, it has been his resiliency and willingness to fight that has separated him from other Gamecock legends.

The bright eyed freshman stayed home when he could have went to any school in the country. I still remember being at his South Carolina home opener against Southern Miss. Lattimore scored his first TD that night and I turned to my dad and said “first of many”. He followed that up with a punishing performance in a home win against UGA and we all knew this kid was special.

Marcus would go on to rush for a school record 38 TD’s, and the rest is history. He probably would have had a serious case for the Heisman trophy if he had not torn his ACL twice in 2011 and 2012, which would eventually end his football career. I think he at the least would have carried USC to two more SEC East titles in 2011 and 2012, and he would have easily shattered every Gamecock rushing record.

As Gamecock fans, we can all relate to Marcus – someone who has faced so much adversity; someone so willing to face the darkness head on and fight back. I feel that as Gamecock fans, we all fought with Marcus Lattimore. We still do to this day. #21 truly defines what it means to be a Gamecock, through and through.

Welcome home, Marcus.

P.S. Re-live some of the great moments from Marcus Lattimore’s storied Gamecock career: