Shawn Elliott has resigned as head coach of the Georgia State Panthers to rejoin the South Carolina Gamecocks as their new tight ends coach.

The Panthers started their spring practice sessions on February 13, throwing their preseason preparations into turmoil. With coaching staffs mostly set for the 2024 season, who could Georgia State get as their new head coach?

Who Could Replace Shawn Elliott as Georgia State Panthers Head Coach?

Elliott had a 41-44 record in his seven-year tenure as head coach in Atlanta.

The former HC directed the Panthers to four bowl-game victories under his leadership and will go down as one of the top head coaches in the program’s history.

He leaves the university for an assistant role at the SEC program, following in the footsteps of multiple coaches to have left head coaching roles for lesser responsibility in 2024.

The resignation has come as a shock with the Panthers already beginning spring practice, so could Georgia State look to hire within to ensure continuity heading into the new season?

Chad Staggs, Georgia State Defensive Coordinator

Chad Staggs has been the defensive coordinator with the Panthers since March 2023, moving over from Coastal Carolina, where he was the DC of the Chanticleers for four seasons.

The current DC has risen through the college coaching ranks and had the Panthers’ defensive unit thriving last season.

With spring practice already beginning, it could be that Georgia State opts to hire from within, similar to how UCLA found its replacement for Chip Kelly.

Staggs knows the players and has already implemented his defensive scheme in Atlanta. Could he be in for a promotion?

Trent McKnight, Georgia State Offensive Coordinator

If Georgia State does opt to choose a candidate who knows and understands the program, offensive coordinator Trent McKnight fits the bill. The OC has been with the Panthers for seven seasons and was promoted to his current position in 2022.

Under his leadership, the Panthers’ offense has been a dominant running team, and if Georgia State wants to continue with its current system, McKnight could be a good shout to get his first head coaching job for the 2024 season.

Chad Scott, West Virginia Offensive Coordinator

Chad Scott may have only been the offensive coordinator at West Virginia for one season, but he is seen as a rising star in the coaching world and had the Mountaineers displaying a dynamic rushing attack in 2023.

While Scott doesn’t have any head coaching experience, he has held several assistant roles at different universities and could be ready to make the step up

Zach Arnett, Former Mississippi State Head Coach

Zach Arnett had a difficult stint in his first head coaching job at Mississippi State, in circumstances that would have been challenging for any coach to walk into. He finished with a 4-6 record in 2023 before being fired.

However, Arnett does have pedigree at the college level and was seen as a future star, having coached at San Diego State and Mississippi State. A defensive-minded coach, he was considered one of the best defensive minds in football when he was hired by the Bulldogs.

Everett Withers, Temple Defensive Coordinator

If Georgia State wants an experienced head coach, current Temple defensive coordinator Everett Withers would fit the bill.

Withers has been a coach in college football since 1988 and has previously been a head coach at James Madison and Texas State.

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With experience coaching in college and the NFL, Withers would be able to boost the Panthers’ recruiting coverage in Atlanta, and his experience and knowledge would be a great transition for Georgia State.

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