Rich Rodriguez has hired Eddie Hicks to coach the Gamecocks' cornerbacks in 2022.
Hicks joins Rodriguez after spending the previous three seasons as the cornerbacks at Charlotte. He joined head coach Will Healy’s staff in 2019 and promptly led the 49ers toa memorable turnaround that featured school records in wins (seven), C-USA wins (5) and winning streak (five games). They also made the school’s first-ever bowl appearance in 2019, when they played in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.
His first season at Charlotte saw the 49ers rank second in C-USA and 14th in the FBS with 189.0 passing yards allowed. Cornerback Nafees Lyon, who was ranked as the nation’s top DB against post routes by Pro Football Focus, earned all-Conference USA honorable mention. Fellow defensive back Lance McMillan was a C-USA all-Freshman Team selection.
Prior to Charlotte, Hicks was the cornerbacks coach at Southern Miss in 2018, when the Golden Eagles had one of C-USA’s best pass defenses. They led C-USA in pass defense with less than 180 yards per game and held opponents to C-USA lows of 5.8 yards per pass attempt and 14 passing touchdowns. USM’s 14 INT’s were tied for third in the league.
He spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons as the cornerbacks coach at Austin Peay after holding the same position at Murray State in 2015. He was a defensive graduate assistant at Alcorn State in 2012 and Cincinnati in 2013 before serving as a quality control assistant at Cal in 2014.
Hicks was a two-time All-Conference USA player at Southern Miss in 2008 and 2009 and was a C-USA All-Freshman selection in 2006. He earned his degree in business administration from USM in 2012.
