Will Muschamp has added his own chapter to the war of words between South Carolina football and the State, taking aim at the local newspaper Monday for its reporting of an assault investigation and the supposed involvement of two Gamecocks football players.
Linebacker Skai Moore and wide receiver Deebo Samuel were cleared of any wrongdoing after being two of three men -- along with former South Carolina player Jalen Dread, who has transferred out of the program -- accused of striking a man outside a Columbia bar.
The victim, a 24-year old described by a family member as a former Marine, told officers who arrived on the scene he confronted the players after they "knocked his phone out of his hand inside the bar." According to the State, the players were identified by bar staff and reportedly captured on video striking a man.
As it turns out, Moore was at the bar but not involved in the fight, and according to Muschamp he was "commended" by the investigating officer for "his behavior on how he handled a very hostile situation." Samuel was reportedly not even at the bar, and the fact that the State reported both players as potential targets in the investigation had Muschamp criticizing the paper like a sideline judge that keeps missing holding penalties.
"The gross inaccuracies of the State newspaper sickens me," Muschamp said, via 247Sports, at an event intended to promote the Belk Kickoff Game between South Carolina and NC State.
"To take a shot at the University of South Carolina and those two men, since I've been in Columbia, have been phenomenal young men in how they've handled their business. They've been no issue for me."
In October 2011, Steve Spurrier famously refused to talk to reporters with a columnist from the State, Ron Morris, in the room. The two had a working relationship before the 2011 season but things deteriorated quickly during 2011 and '12. Spurrier complained about Morris on every platform imaginable and the drama reached a point where the Head Ball Coach was threatening to "head to the beach" and Morris was removed from the Gamecocks beat.