Once again, first-year South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is filling out his initial staff.
Sources confirm to FootballScoop that Beamer is tabbing Montario Hardesty as the Gamecocks' new running backs coach. The hire was first reported by GamecockCentral.com.
Per sources, Hardesty also had been considered for a position on the staff of just-hired Tennessee Volunteers coach Josh Heupel but accepted the offer from Beamer and the Gamecocks.
A former All-SEC performer at the University of Tennessee, Hardesty is coming to Columbia, South Carolina, after spending the past two years on Will Healy's Charlotte staff.
Hardesty's also spent time growing his coaching career in Knoxville at his alma mater, as well as with Latrell Scott at Norfolk State and on Lane Kiffin's Florida Atlantic staff.
Beamer's been seeking to again complete his staff since losing veteran running backs coach Des Kitchings last week to the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. Kitchings has been a staple in the ACC and SEC, with stints at North Carolina State, Will Muschamp's final Gamecocks staff and also earlier at Vanderbilt.
South Carolina had engaged both Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons and veteran Virginia assistant Marques Hagans in talks about replacing Kitchings within the past week, but Beamer's selection of Hardesty is a strong move for the program.
Hardesty's a New Bern, North Carolina, native with strong recruiting ties in the Carolinas, throughout Tennessee and in Florida from his time on Kiffin's staff.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest news.