According to a report from TheBigSpur247 on Sunday afternoon, South Carolina has hired former quarterback and wide receiver Luke Doty to its coaching staff for the 2026 season. The 24-year-old has reportedly joined Shane Beamer’s defensive staff in recent weeks and is currently working with the Gamecocks’ secondary under defensive backs coach Torian Gray.
A Familiar Face Returns to Columbia
Doty’s addition to the coaching staff represents a full-circle moment for a player who dedicated six seasons to the Gamecocks program. The Myrtle Beach native first arrived at South Carolina in 2020 as a highly touted in-state recruit from Myrtle Beach High School, choosing to stay close to home and represent his home state’s flagship university.
Over the course of his collegiate career, Doty appeared in 47 games, showcasing remarkable versatility that made him a unique asset to the program. His journey through the South Carolina football program saw him transition between quarterback and wide receiver, demonstrating the kind of team-first mentality that coaches covet.
A Versatile Playing Career
Doty’s playing career at South Carolina was defined by adaptability and perseverance. As a quarterback, he threw for 1,696 yards with nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions. He also demonstrated mobility in the pocket, rushing for 193 yards and two touchdowns during his time under center. His ability to extend plays with his legs made him a dual-threat option when called upon.
Later in his career, Doty embraced a position change, moving to wide receiver to help the team and maximize his opportunities on the field. In that role, he caught 16 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, proving his willingness to do whatever was necessary to contribute. This positional flexibility spoke volumes about his character and commitment to the Gamecocks program.
Transition to Coaching
Now Doty trades his helmet for a headset, beginning his coaching journey at the same institution where he spent his entire playing career. At just 24 years old, he represents a new wave of young coaches who can relate directly to the current generation of players while bringing fresh perspectives to the staff.
Working alongside Torian Gray, a respected defensive backs coach, Doty will have the opportunity to learn from an experienced position coach while bringing his own insights from having recently played in the program. His familiarity with the culture Shane Beamer has built since taking over as head coach should make for a seamless transition into his new role.
The move to add a recent former player to the staff aligns with Beamer’s approach of maintaining strong connections to the program’s past while building for the future. Doty’s presence in the meeting rooms and on the practice field will provide current players with a coach who has experienced firsthand what it means to compete in the SEC and represent South Carolina.
The Value of Recent Playing Experience
Having a coach who was just in the locker room a year ago brings unique advantages. Doty understands the rigors of balancing academics and athletics at South Carolina. He knows the demands of SEC competition and the preparation required to succeed at this level. He can relate to the challenges players face, from managing injuries to handling the mental aspects of position changes.
For defensive backs working with Doty, his background as both a quarterback and receiver offers valuable perspective. Having spent years reading defenses as a signal-caller and running routes as a pass-catcher, he understands what offensive players are trying to accomplish. This knowledge can help defensive backs anticipate routes, recognize formations, and better understand quarterback tendencies.
A Long History with the Program
Doty’s connection to South Carolina football runs deep. Signing with the Gamecocks in the 2020 recruiting cycle, he arrived during a period of transition for the program. He remained committed through coaching changes and program developments, ultimately spending his entire collegiate career in Columbia.
Playing six seasons at a single university is increasingly rare in modern college football, where the transfer portal has made roster movement more common. Doty’s decision to stay at South Carolina throughout his career demonstrated loyalty and dedication to the program. That commitment now extends into his professional life as he begins coaching at his alma mater.
Building the Coaching Pipeline
Doty’s hiring reflects a broader trend in college football of programs bringing back former players to coach. These alumni coaches often serve as valuable bridges between the coaching staff and the players, embodying the program’s values and traditions while delivering coaching messages.
For South Carolina, having former players like Doty on staff reinforces the program’s identity and strengthens the connection between past and present. Young players can look at Doty and see someone who was in their position not long ago, now coaching at the collegiate level. This can serve as motivation and demonstrate the potential pathways available through football.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
As Doty settles into his new role, he will focus on helping develop South Carolina’s defensive backs heading into the 2026 season. The Gamecocks secondary will benefit from his attention to detail and his understanding of offensive concepts. Working under Torian Gray, who has developed numerous defensive backs during his coaching career, Doty has an excellent mentor to guide his development as a coach.
The transition from player to coach comes with challenges, but Doty’s familiarity with the program and his relationships with many current players should ease the adjustment. His work ethic, which kept him contributing for six seasons, will serve him well in the demands of coaching.
Conclusion
Luke Doty’s addition to the South Carolina coaching staff represents a natural progression for a player who gave so much to the program during his career. From arriving as an in-state recruit in 2020 to now beginning his coaching journey in 2026, Doty’s story with Gamecocks football continues.
His versatility as a player—contributing at both quarterback and wide receiver—now translates to versatility as a young coach working with the secondary. With his playing experience, program knowledge, and fresh perspective, Doty joins Shane Beamer’s staff looking to make his mark on the next generation of South Carolina football players.
The Gamecocks have brought one of their own back to Columbia, and Doty begins his coaching career where his playing career started, ready to help build the future of South Carolina football.
