Strictly a rumor

There are rumors circulating around Cola., SC that Lou Holtz is stepping down at the end of the season and that Steve Spurrior is the next coach for the Gamecocks. Remember, this is STRICTLY a rumor.

 

More like a pipe dream

 

Maybe. But I've seen the Spurrier-to-SC rumor pop up a couple of times now.

 

Here's a link to the rumor: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1920174

 

I've been hearing it on random radio shows for a week or so.

 

Seems like a long shot to me. However, I could see Spurrier possibly interested if 1) he's really looking for a project where he can turn a team around after his embarassment in D.C, and 2) he's itching at the chance to show he can do what the old ball coach Holtz could not.

 

Here's another article:

http://greenvilleonline.com/news/sports/2004/11/09/2004110952753.htm

Holtz's what if? Spurrier
Posted Tuesday, November 9, 2004 - 11:59 pm

By Rick Scoppe
COLUMBIA BUREAU
[email protected]

COLUMBIA — University of South Carolina coach Lou Holtz said Tuesday night that he hasn't decided whether he will return next season but that if he does retire, former Florida coach Steve Spurrier would be a "great" choice to replace him.
"I can understand why he would want to come here," Holtz said. "I can also understand why they would want him. But I also understand the job's not open."

If he did retire, Holtz said it would be up to athletic department whether he talked to Spurrier about replacing him, adding he felt there were "some good head coaching candidates on this staff."

"But if and when I ever leave and you get a guy like Steve Spurrier, I mean how do you say no?" Holtz said. "If he could replace me, it'd be good for South Carolina, but it'd be good for him also."

Spurrier coached at Florida from 1990 to 2001. He won six Southeastern Conference championships and the 1996 national title. He coached the Washington Redskins of the NFL for two seasons, then resigned after the 2003 season.

In his most extensive comments to date about his future, Holtz also said "there is no way" he would replace athletic director Mike McGee once he does finish his coaching career.

"Ain't no way," Holtz said. "I have no desire to be an athletic director."

Holtz and Spurrier are good friends, with Holtz, a member of Augusta National, taking Spurrier to play golf at the renowned course. Spurrier told The Orlando Sentinel that he had not decided on his future.

"If I come back, it's probably going to be in the college game," Spurrier said Tuesday. "College ball was just a lot more fun for me, and it's what I probably prefer. Something may shake out here in the next few weeks.

"Not many colleges fire their coach before their season is over. So we'll see what happens after the season. If I come back, I'll be looking for an opening, preferably in the South."

Nearly every year since the 67-year-old Holtz came to USC questions have arisen near the end of the season on whether he would return. And each year Holtz has said he wouldn't make a decision until after the season, when he has time to step away and think about his future.

Holtz said he has not made a decision about his future.

"I think the one thing that you want to make sure is when you do leave that the program's going to be solid and in good hands and is going to move forward because I owe it to these players," he said.

One factor in his decision, Holtz said, would be the number of players the Gamecocks have returning for the 2005 season. "That could be a strong factor," he said. "I've always wanted to leave the program solid. I've never wanted to leave the program (with people saying), 'Well, he ran away from it.' "

USC defensive tackle Darrell Shropshire he had heard talk that Spurrier might replace Holtz but he said Holtz had not told the players anything about his future. Asked what his gut feelings were about Holtz, Shropshire said:

"If we continue to win and finish up with a winning season, I believe he'll retire, personally," Shropshire said. "But he hasn't said nothing."

Shropshire said he was "pretty sure" Holtz would talk about his future after USC's regular-season finale at Clemson University on Nov. 20.

"That's the last game before the bowl game," Shropshire said. "He'll let us know how he felt as far as his emotions toward the upcoming season and how he feels for the future."

Holtz has said the last two weeks that he was tired — something he has said at this time of year nearly every season — but Sunday he said he was "fine" and that "young people rejuvenate you."

 

usc has contacted spurrier

 

a lifetime membership to augusta could seal the deal