Gerald Harrison appears headed back to the sidelines as a member of the South Carolina State football coaching staff.

Wednesday evening, Bulldogs football head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough confirmed that Harrison, the team’s defensive line coach and director of football operations, is slated to return to the coaching staff.

“We have agreed in principle,” Pough said.

Pough, whose attorney, Joseph R. Lefft, sent a letter to school officials Thursday claiming that the firing of Harrison was a breach of the coach’s contract, declined further comment on the matter. However, the move to bring Harrison, considered to be one of S.C. State’s top recruiters, back came just hours after university President George Cooper balked at giving a definitive answer as to anything that may have been discussed regarding Harrison in a Wednesday board of trustees executive session.

“As I indicated earlier this week ... we are seeking our own opinion in order to respond,” Cooper said following the meeting. “When I have an opinion, I will let you know. At this particular point, I acknowledge receipt of the letter. I indicate that we are reviewing the letter from coach Pough’s attorney and when I render an opinion, the public will know.”

Lefft’s letter claimed Pough’s contract had been breached in two different ways by Harrison’s firing. The letter claimed that Pough had sole authority to determine the composition of his staff throughout the term of his existing agreement with the university. Also, his contract entitles him to the maximum number of coaches allowable under the NCAA constitution and bylaws. It was Pough’s contention that Harrison was laid off without his consent.

On July 20, Harrison confirmed to The T&D that he had been fired by the university and would no longer be associated with the school after July 31.

T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be reached via e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5553. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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