Eric Wolford

Offensive line coach Eric Wolford begins his second year on Will Muschamp’s staff and his third year overall in Columbia. Wolford previously served on Steve Spurrier’s staff during the 2009 campaign.

Despite numerous injuries that forced nine different players into the starting front five, Carolina’s offensive line, under Wolford’s direction, allowed 28 sacks in 2017, 13 fewer than they allowed in 2016. Wolford was also named a top-25 recruiter by Rivals following the 2018 February signing date.

Before coming back to Carolina, Wolford spent the previous two seasons in the NFL as the San Francisco 49ers assistant offensive line coach.

Prior to his stint with the 49ers, Wolford logged 19 seasons as a coach at the collegiate level, including five (2010-14) as the head coach at Youngstown State. After a 3-8 mark in his first season, the Penguins compiled a 28-18 mark over his final four campaigns, were ranked in the top-10 three times, and broke 32 school records during his tenure. Highlights included a 2012 win over Pitt – the first win over a BCS team in school history, and a 2011 win over top-ranked North Dakota State, while overseeing the squad’s highest GPA on record for four-consecutive seasons.

Wolford served as South Carolina’s run game coordinator and offensive line coach in 2009 after a two-year stint at Illinois where he held a similar post. Under Wolford’s tutelage, the Illini, which played in the 2008 Rose Bowl game, led the Big Ten in rushing (2007) and passing (2008), while topping the 5,000-yard mark in total offense for just the third and fourth times in school history. Wolford was considered a Rivals Top-20 National Recruiter in 2008.

Wolford spent three seasons (2004-06) at Arizona as the offensive line coach. UA led the league in fewest sacks allowed in 2004 and was second in 2005. He was also an integral part of back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes.

Wolford spent the 2003 season at North Texas, where his offensive line paved the way for tailback Patrick Cobbs. He rushed for a league-record 1,690 yards, earning the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Award. Cobbs averaged 152 yards and 11.5 points per game, leading the NCAA. The offensive line blocked for a rushing average of 177.5 yards per game, which ranked 35th nationally, allowed only 18 sacks during the season and posted an 88 percent efficiency rating in the redzone. Wolford also helped lead UNT to its third-consecutive bid to the New Orleans Bowl.

Before joining North Texas, Wolford enjoyed three-year stints at both Houston and South Florida. While at Houston, he coached a number of positions, spanning offense, defense and special teams. In 2002, Houston enjoyed a dramatic turnaround, going from a winless season to five victories. The team also ended on a high note, defeating nationally-ranked Louisville in the finale. During that time, Wolford coached five all-conference players.

Wolford had the unique experience of coaching in the first three seasons of the South Florida football program, helping to lead the Bulls to two winning seasons in three years. In year two of the building process, the offense put up over 400 yards per game, including 191.5 rushing yards per contest. Running back Dyral McMillan became the school’s first 1,000-yard rusher that year.

Wolford began his coaching career at his alma mater, Kansas State, where he served as a GA and worked with the offensive line under John Latina. He then spent two years as the offensive line and strength coach at Emporia State.

Wolford was a four-year starter at K-State under Bill Snyder, and his teams laid the groundwork for the program’s emergence on the national stage. During his senior year, the Wildcats won the school’s first bowl game in the 1993 Copper Bowl. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1994 in social sciences with a focus on monetary policy and banking. Wolford signed a free agent contract with Buddy Ryan’s Arizona Cardinals.

Wolford and his wife, Dr. Melinda Wolford, have a son, Stone, and a daughter, Marlee.