COLUMBIA — South Carolina wasn’t just losing games late last year. It was falling apart, more and more, by the week.

Some players became selfish. They focused on the NFL, not the Gamecocks.

Other players lost confidence. They looked in the mirror and didn’t know what they saw.

Some coaches became selfish. They operated outside the staff concept and found themselves looking elsewhere for work.

Other coaches lost confidence. They looked in the mirror and didn’t know if they could make these players better. They, too, had to look elsewhere for work.

Frankly, it was a mess. Even coach Steve Spurrier hasn’t minded saying so.

“It was more of a team chemistry breakdown than anything,’ senior receiver Moe Brown said. ‘There were a lot of factors that really brought down the team.”

Sure, it’s easy to say during the summer months, but things at least have the appearance of being different.

“The good news is, we’re definitely 180 degrees away from where we were last year,” Brown said. “The team camaraderie is on a whole different level than it was last year. Since I’ve been here, I’ve never seen the togetherness of the team where it is now.”

Including Tuesday, Spurrier has said a couple of times this summer that everyone “likes’”each other.

Brown was at Williams-Brice for a Bible study at 11 o’clock Monday night when he saw some lights on.

He ducked his head in the room to see the Gamecocks offensive linemen eating some pizza and watching film. No coaches. Just got together on their own to do it.

Brown plopped down and said he was amazed to see how the group interacted.

The linemen told Brown that they do steak nights, too. Brown said he wanted to go.

“No,” they said. “You’ve got to be 300 pounds to go.”

The new assistant coaches — combining with the remaining ones — have gone a long way in advancing the chemistry concept.

Fullback Pat DiMarco, one of two junior captains, said coaches are now just as likely to ask about a round of golf as your latest bench stats.

Quarterback Stephen Garcia has gone so far as to call new position coach G.A. Mangus a friend.

“I feel like the coaches are a lot more personal with the players,” DiMarco said. “We talk to our coaches on a more regular basis and just say what’s up. Last year, it was just straight football. I feel like knowing the coaches more, them knowing what you’re like, makes it more fun for the players.”

Above that sense of togetherness, other spring and summer housekeeping items have been above board. Spurrier said it’s the best summer workout participation in his five preseasons. Additionally, the team’s spring GPA was higher than it had ever been.

Will unity mean something when the season arrives? No one could say for sure. But it makes for a more pleasant journey to the opener.

“A team has to all get along and pull for each other,” Spurrier said. “Again, we’re unknown. We’ve got to go prove it.”

Extra points

Spurrier says Garcia will not get a ‘quick yank’ if he makes a mistake. But he’d prefer the mistakes to be sacks rather than interceptions. ... Spurrier didn’t make it seem as if Stephon Gilmore will see much time at QB. More so at CB and as the team’s No. 1 punt returner. ... Spurrier said again that OL Kyle Nunn will be suspended the first three games. He’s on thin ice, he said. ... Spurrier accidentally said Eric Norwood could play some CB. Norwood is athletic, but wouldn’t look for that one.

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