Gamecock Digest

LIVE UPDATES: Travian Robertson Introductory Press Conference

Former South Carolina Football standout Travian Robertson marks his return to Columbia with an introductory press conference. We have the latest for you here.

Andrew Lyon

LIVE UPDATES: Travian Robertson Introductory Press Conference
LIVE UPDATES: Travian Robertson Introductory Press Conference /

Former South Carolina defensive standout Travian Robertson, who played for the Gamecocks between 2007 and 2011, has made his official return to Columbia and will mark the beginning of his homecoming with an introductory press conference that's beginning at 5:00 PM EDT. I will have the latest updates on his comments down below.

Live Updates

Opening from Shane Beamer

Update on Team: 11 players will become graduates this weekend... extremely proud of the work our guys have done in the classroom.

On Travian: It's amazing how many text message I've gotten from former players & teammates of his that are thanking me for bringing him back home. Home-run hire... he's garnet and black through and through.

There was one phone call and one phone call I made only, and that was to Travian. When [Jimmy took the LSU job], it only took me about 15 minutes to make the call... Wanted Clayton to make sure he was good with it and he was.

Questions for Shane Beamer

How much does the NFL background play a factor?: I think it's really coincidence... [but] I think it helps certainly... When it comes to checking the boxes, [Travian] checks them all and I think we upgraded in every single facet.

How do you think Travian will recruit?: I think he'll be great. Local ties being from this area of the country and then being at Georgia and Albany State and Tulane, it could open up some new doors as well. To me it's easy to recruit to a place that you love, and I know that's the case with Travian."

On Jaylen Nichols: Won't be ready for the beginning of the season... Optimistic he'll be able to possibly come back before the season is over.

*Makes an interesting comment that Jordan Strachan has said before that if it wasn't for Travian Robertson's coaching, he wouldn't have led the country in sacks back in 2020.*

-- Beamer also said it's not an ideal time for a coaching change, but it's a slow time, so Travian will have a unique transition period but also hit the ground running on the recruiting trail.

Said Brian Kelly reach out to him about 12 days ago about Jimmy Lindsey and wanted to talk to him. Six days later (this past Thursday night), everything came to a head and he reached out to Travian and felt like it was done by Friday night.

Travian Robertson Opening Statement

"This is something I've dreamed about for a long time. I remember when I was in the NFL and I told a close friend that I wanted to coach. He told me to stay in touch with Steve Spurrier and for some reason I didn't. I wanted to do it a different way, my own way, I didn't want to feel like I was entitled to this position." 

Said he went to Peachtree High School where former Gamecock kicker Mark Fleetwood gave him his first job. The former Gamecock OL coach Shawn Elliott gave him a job at Georgia State, and former Gamecock Chris Hampton gave him his recent job at Tulane. So my whole coaching career has progressed through Gamecock connections.

"This is a job that I've been praying for for a long time. I always prepared to be in this position."

"I thought I left a statement as a player, but I want to leave an even bigger one as a coach."

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Andrew Lyon
ANDREW LYON

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