Liberty offensive line coach Sam Gregg is expected to join Southern Miss as offensive coordinator, sources say. He will remain with the Flames through the Lending Tree Bowl on Dec. 18 against Eastern Michigan in Mobile, Alabama.
Gregg had the opportunity to join new Southern Miss head coach Will Hall’s staff as offensive coordinator last year, but he elected to remain with Liberty. Gregg has been the Flames’ offensive line for the past three seasons under head coach Hugh Freeze.
He came to Liberty after spending the previous five seasons as the offensive coordinator at West Georgia where he worked alongside fellow Liberty coaching staff members Josh Aldridge, Rickey Hunley, and Scott Symons. Prior to his time at Carrollton, Georgia, Gregg spent six seasons at West Alabama, first as offensive line coach before he was promoted to offensive coordinator.
Gregg and his offensive line helped pave the way for the Flames to win back-to-back Cure Bowls in 2019 and 2020 as the Flames became the second FBS transitioning team in NCAA history to win consecutive bowl games during its first two full seasons at the FBS level. Liberty finished the 2020 season with a 10-1 record and was ranked No. 17 in the final Associated Press top 25 poll.
The Flames finished the 2020 program ranked No. 12 in first down offense, No. 15 in total offense, and No. 16 in scoring offense. The offensive line helped Liberty rush for a school record 2,776 yards in 2020 and ranked No. 9 in the country in rushing offense.
The offensive line has seen its share of struggles during the 2021 season though. The Flames rank No. 129 out of 130 FBS teams in allowing 4.17 sacks per game.
