Ellis Johnson is excited about what is happening with his new job as the head coach at Southern Miss, but he feels the same way about his old school -- South Carolina.

       Johnson said the recruiting at USC was elevated during his stay with the Gamecocks, but also pointed out how difficult it is to compete in the Southeastern Conference.

      "You have to go back 48 years to find an SEC champion that did not come from the big six," he said. "It might be easier to get into a BCS game at Southern Miss than it is at South Carolina."

      Johnson also said he was estatic about the hire of Lorenzo Ward as the USC defensive coordinator.

     "He's been capable of doing that job for a long time," Johnson said.

     Running backs coach Everette Sands was on Johnson's staff at The Citadel.

     Johnson joined Teddy Heffner and Rick Sanford on TalkingSports on The Team.

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     USC defensive line coach Brad Lawing said that once Melvin Irgam brought into the fact he was a down lineman, his play got better and better.

     "He came here as a linebacker/running back," Lawing said. "He didn't like putting his hand on the ground. It took me two years to get him to practice hard."

      But, once he did, Lawing said Ingram's success was no surprise.

     "His best days as a down lineman are ahead of him," Lawing said.

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     Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris joined us Wednesday morning on TalkingSports on The Team.

     He said the Tigers are excited about their BCS game against West Virginia.

     "It was like the first day of practice," Morris said of Tuesday's workout.

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     Don't forget Jan. 3. It's going to be a big day for sports talk radio in South Carolina.

     The Team will be on the move, going from 1400 AM to 560 AM. This is s a huge move. The signal of 560 is very strong and will be able to be heard in much of South Carolina.

     Since I have been with The Team, about 17 years, the one thing I always heard from listeners: I wish you guys had a stronger signal.

     Well, now it is happening.

     I am proud to be a member of The Team. We have good people, including management with program director L.J. Smith and The Team's sports director Christopher Thompson. I've always had tremendous respect for the work ethic and the professionalism of Christopher. Plus, he is one of the really good guys.

       Also, Gary Barboza is a consummate professional and a great sounding board.

     On the air, we have good people all day.

     Phil Kornblut is simply the best. He works hard, knows what is going on, has the best sources in the business and is very entertaining on the air.

      Corey Miller played in the NFL and was an All-America player at USC. He loves the Gamecocks, but isn't shy about offering his opinion.

     That brings me to another note. A lot of listeners have the perception that we are anti-USC on The Team. Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Do you really think a Corey Miller or a Carey Rich, who turned in sweat and blood for the Gamecocks, is anti-USC?

      Unfortunately, to a lot of fans if you aren't "with us" then you are "agin us." We strive to be realistic and credible on The Team. It always tickles me when we say something that gets USC fans angry, and then Steve Spurrier says the exact same thing in one of his press meetings. I always wonder if the fans get angry with Spurrier.

       I mentioned Corey. On The Team we have four former professional players. Rick Sanford was USC's first first-round draft pick and played eight years in the league. Kirk Burnett, the Airport High coach and athletic director, had a brief stint with the New York Jets. And Kevin Hendrix had a look in the NFL and played in NFL Europe.

    Heck, I used to get 50 bucks a game in the Dixie Football League! Of course, we had to buy our own leather helmets.

       There is no one more attuned to what is happening in basketball in the area than Carey Rich. He also is up on the high school scene.  Carey has coaches as contacts throughout the country and as a former point guard and a coach he knows his Xs and Os.

      Eric Guimaraes is a good partner for Carey. Kevin McCreary is an up-and-comer in the business and benefits from working daily with Kornblut.

      We have a great team! And that includes all our outstanding sponsors and listeners.

       I can't wait until Jan. 3.

     A new book is out which would make a great Christmas gift -- and the proceeds go to a great cause.

     "Carolina Baseball: Pressure Makes Diamonds" is on sale and the proceeds will go to building a baseball Miracle Field, one of Coach Ray Tanner's top projects.

      The book can be picked up at Jewelry Warehouse or odered online at TheRayTannerFoundation.org.

      Coach Tanner and Scott Wingo had a signing last week that ran two hours past the scheduled time because of demand. TalkingSports will let you know when more signings are scheduled.