The Feed Pail: Marcus Lattimore joins South Carolina support staff

Welcome back to the feed pail, where we take a look around the internet for some choice South Carolina Gamecocks tidbits and share it back here with you. It’s a little quiet right now with basketball still cranking up, but there are still a few items of interest.

Marcus Lattimore returning to South Carolina to work with Gamecock football — Mike Uva, WACH Fox

Gamecock great and all-time fan favorite Marcus Lattimore, who had previously been coaching the Heathwood Hall varsity football team, will be back in the Garnet and Black starting Monday as the director of player development. Coach Will Muschamp wants Lattimore to lead his “Beyond Football” program, which — as the name implies — helps prepare players for life after college athletics.

Because of Lattimore’s foundation and the various camps he runs, the NCAA won’t allow him to coach in an on-field capacity; it’d be seen as an unfair recruiting advantage. Regardless, it’s nice to see him back at South Carolina and involved with the program, which is something fans have been clamoring for. Given his foundation work, this job sounds like a perfect match for Lattimore.

Connor Shaw joins Furman coaching staff

In more coaching news, another Gamecock great and all-time fan favorite will serve in an on-field capacity for Furman, coaching the Paladins’ tight ends. After a four-year NFL career with the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears that was unfortunately marred by a series of injuries, it’s nice to see Shaw back in the Palmetto State and still working in football.

Dylan Thompson moves from the gridiron to the hardwood

And in yet MORE coaching news, former standout South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson is now a director of player development with Charleston Southern’s men’s basketball team. Thompson played basketball in high school, although that’s apparently in his distant past:

“I’m terrible,” Thompson laughed. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I’m not any good right now. I feel like I was decent at one point. I just have to ‘woo’ them with my words now.”

Wilson named to Wooden Award midseason list

Another season, another honor for A’ja Wilson: The Gamecocks’ star forward is on the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 for the fourth time. The list will be trimmed to 20 by February, then 15 prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament. There’s no reason to think she won’t be a finalist, as she’s made that cut for the past two seasons. Will she finally bring it home?

Will Zion Williamson follow Brian Bowen in joining the Gamecocks? — Andrew Ramspacher, The State

In the exciting aftermath of Bowen’s surprise signing with South Carolina, this is the question on many minds: Does this improve the Gamecocks’ chances of wooing Williamson?

Asked about the chances for Williamson to join Bowen in garnet and black, the source said “it’s a real possibility. I know that.”

Recruiting is just about impossible to predict. South Carolina looked nearly out of it with Williamson, but perhaps this move has placed them back in the running. We’ll have to wait to find out on Jan. 20, when the suspected Clemson lean will make his announcement.