SMU Head Football Coach Chad Morris has been a popular addition to the Hilltop in his first season.

Despite the Mustangs’ 1-5 record, Morris has brought a new energy and dedication to the program. The team has made strides, showing noticeable improvement on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Students and fans are hopeful that he will revitalize the program and bring SMU back into the national spotlight.

But could Coach Morris’ days as a Mustang be numbered?

ESPN.com’s Travis Haney is reporting that Morris could be a candidate to fill the gap at South Carolina following the retirement of coaching legend Steve Spurrier.

“Morris gained valuable experience at Clemson as the school’s ultra-successful offensive coordinator,” wrote Haney. “That wouldn’t be a deterrent to [Ray] Tanner or to Morris. Rather, it would be an asset.”

“He understands how to recruit in South Carolina and the surrounding region. He was the lead recruiter for Clemson star quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is from the northeast part of the Atlanta metro area,” wrote Haney.

Prior to this season, Morris was the offensive coordinator at Clemson, South Carolina’s in-state rival, for four years. His tempo offense helped the Tigers win the 2011 ACC Championship and three consecutive bowl games against quality opponents (LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma) en route to a 41-11 record.

At this point, the South Carolina job is all speculation. However, given Morris’ background, the move just might make sense. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if he finds a way to move to a high-profile position in the SEC, college football’s biggest stage.