Mike Peterson Named Outside Linebackers Coach

Jan. 26, 2016

University of South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp has completed his on-field coaching staff by naming Mike Peterson as the Gamecocks’ outside linebackers coach, it was announced today.

Peterson, 39, comes to South Carolina from the University of Florida where he served as a strength & conditioning coordinator, a position he held since retiring from a 14-year NFL playing career.

“Mike’s another great example for our student-athletes at the University of South Carolina for what he’s accomplished,” said Coach Muschamp. “He played at a high level and demonstrated great character and class throughout the time that we worked together at Florida. His vast NFL experience and knowledge of our schemes will complement our staff.”

Peterson played linebacker on head coach Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators from 1995-98. He was a member of the 1996 Gators team that finished 12-1 and won the college football national championship. As a senior in 1998, he served as a team captain, earned first-team All-SEC and All-America honors and was selected as the Gators’ most valuable player by his teammates. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great” in 2011.

Peterson was a second-round pick (36th pick overall) of the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft, and played professional for the Colts (1999-2002), Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-08) and Atlanta Falcons (2009-12). He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2005.

Born June 17, 1976 in Gainesville, Fla., Peterson is the older brother of former Chicago Bears running back Adrian Peterson and is a cousin of the late Freddie Solomon, a former NFL wide receiver and native of Sumter, S.C.

Porter Michael Peterson and his wife, Chantal, have two sons, Mike Jr. and Gavin.

South Carolina’s 2016 Football Coach Staff:

Will Muschamp, Head Coach

Bobby Bentley, Running Backs

Shawn Elliott, Offensive Line

Coleman Hutzler, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers

Bryan McClendon, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Mike Peterson, Outside Linebackers

Travaris Robinson, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

Kurt Roper, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Lance Thompson, Assistant Head Coach – Defense/Defensive Line

Pat Washington, Tight Ends