Taylor Edwards previously worked at the University of South Carolina as the director of player personnel for the football team. He allegedly committed “serious violations of NCAA legislation” prior to his mysterious departure from the program.
Further details about what might’ve happened in Columbia are currently unknown.
Edwards was hired to his role with the Gamecocks on Feb. 2, 2021 after a two-year stint at Maryland. The Terrapins landed the 31st-ranked recruiting class in 2020 and a top-20 class in 2021 while he was there. South Carolina finished with a top-25 class in 2022, and top-20 classes in 2023 and 2024.
However, Edwards suddenly left the staff over the summer after receiving a raise in January.
Head coach Shane Beamer offered very little information when asked about the departure, which took place prior to July 3. It sounds like there might’ve been some funny business going on behind the scenes and it would make sense if the shenanigans ultimately led to his resignation or ouster.
South Carolina is staying quiet for now.
Jordan Kaye of The State newspaper reported on Thursday that a series of internal human resources emails at the University of South Carolina accused Edwards of violating NCAA protocol. Christina Sergi messaged Edwards on June 23 with the subject: “Meeting with the Athletics Director.”
As previously discussed, the athletics department has determined that you have committed serious violations of NCAA legislation and your contractual obligations to the University sufficient to justify the termination.
— Sergi to Edwards on June 23
The meeting would allow Edwards to “present the reasons he believed termination of his employment was not justified.” Phoenix-based lawyer Gregg Clifton responded to Sergi’s email five hours later to let her know that he would participate in the meeting via Zoom as Edwards’ legal representation.
And then there’s a gap where we don’t know exactly what went down.
Edwards later submitted his formal resignation via email to Sergi and Andy Humes, South Carolina’s senior associate athletics director for compliance services, on July 3. It was to be official on Aug. 1, 2024— but as of July 15, Edwards was no longer on the staff.
There are more questions than answers at this point!
Kaye reached out to all of the parties involved with the scandal to try and get a better understanding of what went down. Edwards did not immediately offer comment. The university “told The State that USC has not been served with a notice of allegations from the NCAA” and would not answer further questions.
It is unclear as to whether South Carolina reported the alleged violations to the NCAA. It is also unclear if Edwards’ behavior had anything to do with the five self-reported violations in 2021 and 2022.
Either way, the Gamecocks could be in big trouble if things are as “serious” as Sergi said. Edwards oversaw the team’s recruiting operation and served as the primary middle man between the program and the athletic department’s official NIL collective, The Garnet Trust, so finances could be involved.