In the 3rd quarter of a forgetful Saturday night in Columbia this past Saturday, it began as a whimper and grew to a roar: "Fire Muschamp" began bellowing from the crowd at a decibel level that could be heard from my father's couch as he watched in Florida 550 miles away. It was a surreal and telling scene. We're used to booing. Every home crowd does so to voice displeasure, but I've never heard such a clear message as the one delivered from Gamecock faithful Saturday night. It was as if they knew they had to be as clear and direct as possible; a routine and nondescript boo wouldn't cut it.
And the Gamecock faithful are absolutely right. The time has come for South Carolina to move on from Will Muschamp. And the school must act now.
Will Muschamp would be the first to tell you he won more games in his first three seasons at South Carolina than anyone who preceded him. What he doesn't want you to see is that single victories over Florida and Michigan were the only programs worth a fig on that list (and Florida was in the dumps). Akron, Chattanooga, Western Carolina, and Vanderbilt (x3) dot the rest of his "accomplishments" through year three.
He's lost 18 of his last 19 contests against top 25 opposition.
Seven of his last 11 defeats have come by more than 20 points.
2017's 9-4 record didn't include a single win over one Top 25 team.
His overall record at the school is sub .500. In his fifth year.
And worse yet, there might not be a single win remaining on the schedule this season. In fact, a home contest against Missouri is the only one remaining in which ESPN's Football Power Index gives South Carolina a better than even money shot at winning, and it does so barely (51.8%).
Some have mentioned that they don't believe South Carolina can afford Muschamp's 13.2 million dollar buyout. I'd argue they can't afford not to.
The worst thing that can happen to you as a sports entity, either in Muschamp's field or in mine (sports media) is apathy. It's a far worse fate than hate. And South Carolina is on dangerously thin ice with its fan base in this regard.
Crying poor also falls on deaf ears when you consider a couple of additional factors: that the school receives 52 million dollars from the SEC annually. And how about this? Williams Brice Stadium seats 80,250 people. A mere $150 contribution from each person covers the buyout. Can any of you honestly name one Gamecocks fan who wouldn't pony up $150 to be rid of Coach Boom today?
The discussion on who will replace Muschamp is for another day. And that's a fill in the blank you don't need to know right now. Just as is the case in any romantic relationship, you end a relationship if it's not working and you don't have someone else lined up yet (well, you better not). The mere fact that the relationship hasn't worked is enough to warrant moving on. That's where we are with Muschamp. It's over.
It's time to rally the troops. It's time to end the misery. It's time to snuff out the suffering. South Carolina risks losing its base if it doesn't cut the cord now, and some who walk out may never come back. Don't tell me you can't afford it. You can't afford not to.