There's been speculation for weeks (if not years) that South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier was nearing retirement. Tonight it came true as the Old Ball Coach reportedly announced the inevitable:
It is said to be "effective immediately."
Spurrier was currently in his 11th year as the Gamecocks' coach. After three straight 11-win seasons he barely escaped a losing campaign in 2014. This year he was on pace to lead one of his teams to a losing season for the first time since his initial debut campaign as an NCAA coach (1987 with Duke). In addition to a 2-4 overall record, South Carolina is currently 0-4 in the SEC. Spurrier's run in Columbia followed two below average pro seasons as an NFL coach with the Redskins, where he had a combined record of 12-20.
His stint in Washington, of course, followed his time in Gainesville, where Spurrier really put himself amongst the upper echelon of coaches by having the Florida Gators consistently in the national title discussion. His finest season came in 1996 when he had his 12-1 Gators finish the year with a victory in the Sugar Bowl that made them the unanimous No. 1 in the polls.
If this is indeed his final final time heading up a sideline, Spurrier's career collegiate record will stand at 228-89-2, good for 13th on the all-time FBS wins list. Add that to his seven conference championships, and nine different Coach of the Year trophies, and you could say he had a damn good run.
[via Thayer Evans/Sports Illustrated]
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