COLUMBIA, S.C. - Former Cincinnati head coach Rick Minter was hired Monday as South Carolina's defensive coordinator.
Minter was fired Dec. 1 after compiling a 53-63-1 record in 10 seasons at Cincinnati. His teams made four bowl appearances, including three from 2000-02. But the Bearcats went 5-7 after starting the 2003 season 3-0.
``This is just a breath of fresh air,'' said Minter, who had been in discussion with South Carolina for several weeks before he took the job. ``I went through a tough situation at Cincinnati.''
Minter's hiring fills the last major coaching position at South Carolina. It has been a busy offseason for coach Lou Holtz, who fired four assistants after a 5-7 season.
``Minter was a graduate assistant on my staff at the University of Arkansas,'' Holtz said in a statement. ``Hid did a tremendous job for us at Notre Dame as defensive coordinator, and as the head coach at Cincinnati.''
Minter, 49, is the second hire from the Bearcats' staff.
Steve Shankweiler, who coached offensive linemen at Cincinnati, was hired last week for the same position at South Carolina. Shankweiler wasn't Holtz's first choice; Vanderbilt's Robbie Caldwell reneged on the position and returned to the Commodores just days after he accepted the job.
Minter, a defensive specialist, coached under Holtz at Notre Dame for two seasons, 1992 and 1993.
``I've just learned so much from him,'' said Minter, who met with players for the first time Monday. ``Lou Holtz will go down as one of the greatest coaches ever to walk the sidelines I hope our players feel that,'' he said.
Minter said Holtz, who turned 67 on Jan. 6, told him he would be at South Carolina for several more years. ``I asked him how long he was going to be here and he told me, 'I'm here for the long haul,''' Minter said.
The Texas-native replaces Chris Cosh, who lasted just a season after Holtz promoted him to defensive coordinator when Charlie Strong left for a similar position at Florida in 2002.
``It's great to be reunited with coach Holtz once again. From everything I've observed and heard in all of our conversations, I've never seen coach Holtz more focused on taking this program to the top,'' said Minter, who also has been reunited with Ron Cooper, hired last month to coach defensive backs.
Minter and Cooper coached together at Notre Dame in 1992.
Before joining Notre Dame, Minter was assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Ball State for seven seasons.
Thursday
May 8th, 2025
10:41PM
