Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has emerged as one of the leading candidates for South Carolina's vacant head coaching position, according to people familiar with the situation. Houston's Tom Herman, who has guided the Cougars to a 10-1 record in his first season as a head coach, is no longer a candidate for the South Carolina job, the sources said. Smart, 39, has coordinated Alabama's defense during seven of his nine seasons on coach Nick Saban's staff. This season, No. 2 Alabama's defense is one of the best in FBS, ranking second in run defense (77.8 yards per game), third in scoring defense (14.5 points), third in total defense (268 yards) and sixth in pass-efficiency defense (99.8 rating). Smart, who was named the 2012 American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year and the 2009 Broyles Award winner, also worked on Saban's staff at LSU and with the Miami Dolphins. Smart, a former  Georgia defensive back, also would be considered one...