The former Appalachian State offensive line coach’s first Gamecock squad showed a significant turnaround upon his arrival, especially in the running game, as Carolina averaged 154.4 rushing yards per game to rank eighth in the SEC after finishing last in the league each of the previous three years.
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Spurrier, hired in 2004 at South Carolina, was 86-24 with the Gamecocks and had a winning percentage of more than 78 percent in his career.
Spurrier is in his 11th season with the Gamecocks after returning to college football following a stint as a head coach in the NFL.
The person says the 70-year-old coach told his players Monday night.
“I think I was probably the best coach for this job eleven years ago but I’m not today”, Spurrier said. He has been a member of Steve Spurrier’s coaching staff since 2010. Sometimes you run your course, you’ve had your run, and then you pass it to the next guy.
“I’m responsible. I’m the head coach”, Spurrier said.
South Carolina co-offensive coordinator Shawn Elliott has been named as interim coach.
Spurrier went on to warn fans not to listen to “enemies” ahead of the Gamecocks’ season opener in Charlotte against North Carolina.
“I find that that doesn’t work a lot”, Spurrier said. “We’re just out here to get better and beat Vandy”.
Elliott said his job was to help the team move forward.
South Carolina freshman offensive lineman Christian Pellage said on Twitter, “What a insane day…”
With Clemson playing for a potential spot in the College Football Playoff and several SEC schools on the radar of any high-profile prospects considering South Carolina, the program could be hurt the longer it delays a decision to replace Spurrier. After so much success there, he said, it became “like a disgrace when we lose and a relief when we win”. “We’ve got a dang good team”. Having lost to the Seminoles weeks earlier at the hands of a vicious FSU pass rush led by future first-round picks Peter Boulware and Reinard Wilson, Spurrier installed a shotgun offense for the Sugar Bowl rematch to give quarterback Danny Wuerffel more time to throw.
But things have quickly spiraled downward this season.
The Gamecocks lost to Kentucky at home in the season’s second week, then were blown out by SEC Eastern Division rival Georgia, 52-20, a week later.
Spurrier was always a colorful sort and a great interview.
“He’s not a quitter at all”.
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So now he leaves the stage and college football will be the poorer for it. He brought the Fun and Gun to fruition and later adapted to the grinding style of the current SEC.
