Spurrier to Get Job Today

Steve Spurrier will be hired today as Lou Holtz’s replacement at South Carolina, a source told Associated Press on Monday night.

The move had been expected for nearly a week. But a school official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that Spurrier would be returning to college coaching with the Gamecocks.

After South Carolina’s fight-marred 29-7 loss at Clemson on Saturday, several Gamecock players said they were told Spurrier would be their next coach.

A news conference is scheduled today to introduce Spurrier.

Spurrier, 59, went 20-13-1 in three seasons at Duke before taking over at Florida, his alma mater, in 1990. The Gators won six Southeastern Conference championships and the 1996 national title under Spurrier. He posted 122 victories over 12 seasons and departed with the best winning percentage in league history.

Spurrier abruptly left Gainesville after the 2001 season, taking over the Washington Redskins. He resigned after two seasons with a 12-20 record.

On Monday, Holtz, 67, officially stepped into retirement. He goes out with 249 victories, eighth most in Division I-A, and a reputation for turning struggling programs into winners. At each of his six schools -- William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina -- he went to bowl games by his second season.

“I don’t know where I’m going to go. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Holtz said. “... But I do feel confident leaving here that the football program is on a firm foundation.”

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Clemson and South Carolina said they will not accept bowl bids, punishment for players who brawled late in Saturday’s game. Both teams are 6-5 and bowl-eligible.

“This decision will have a significant financial impact on [South Carolina] athletics,” Gamecock Athletic Director Mike McGee said. “It was a decision that had to be made.”

Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips said the decision wasn’t fair to a majority of the players, “but given the circumstances, I believe strongly that it is the right decision.”

McGee said individual suspensions for players will be forthcoming.