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South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier: 'Time for me to get out of the way'

 
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, wearing his infamous visor, officially announced his retirement on Tuesday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, wearing his infamous visor, officially announced his retirement on Tuesday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Published Oct. 14, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Steve Spurrier knew it was time. South Carolina was struggling and the gregarious and once innovative coach was a big reason why. Always one to do things his way, Spurrier believed he needed to step aside, and no one was going to change his mind.

Spurrier resigned as Gamecocks coach Tuesday, resisting pleas from the university president and athletic director to stay through the season and saying the poor first half was on him.

"You can't keep a head coach as long as I have (coached) when it's heading in the wrong direction," said Spurrier, 70, who from 1990-2001 developed Florida into a powerhouse.

Spurrier considered leaving several times during his 11 seasons at South Carolina, most recently after last year's 6-6 regular season. But a win over Miami in the Independence Bowl re-energized him.

The Gamecocks, though, have struggled at 2-4 and are 0-4 in the SEC for the first time in Spurrier's 23 seasons in the league.

"I'm responsible. I'm the head coach," Spurrier said. "It's time for me to get out of the way and let somebody else have a go at it."

Spurrier told the Gainesville Sun he knew it was time when UCF was handling South Carolina at halftime on Sept. 26 before the Gamecocks rallied. "It was a struggle," he said of that game. "You know they're 0-6 now? We had to hit some big plays just to beat them."

Spurrier said it was unlikely he'd ever be a head coach in college again because of the recruiting aspect. He did hope to consult for a team one day.

First-year Florida coach Jim McElwain said in a statement: "First and foremost, let's celebrate what this guy's all about and what he's all done. Not only with the game of football but with the impact he's had in so many young guys' lives along the way. To see what he's done — that's something special."

McElwain said the door always will be open for Spurrier.

"Hopefully maybe now, when he steps back, maybe I can get him a chair in our office and I can learn from him," McElwain said. That includes Spurrier's quick lip: "He's pretty good — I thought I was a witty guy but he put me to shame."

Spurrier tried to keep things light throughout the news conference.

"Why's everyone all dressed up?" Spurrier said entering the room. "This isn't a funeral."

Interim head coach Shawn Elliott, promoted from offensive line coach, said his job was to help the team move forward.

"Our team is not in shambles, as some might say," he said.

The Gamecocks are 11th in total offense in the SEC, averaging 341 yards a game.

"I was the best coach for this job 11 years ago, but I'm not today," Spurrier said.

There were immediate differences at practice Tuesday under Elliott.

Music blared over loudspeakers while players worked out. Linebacker T.J. Holloman said Elliott told players they have a clean slate. "In his opinion we're 0-0," Holloman said.

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Linebacker Skai Moore said he did not believe Spurrier quit on players.

"He's not a quitter at all. You can see that in his emotion, especially after games," he said. "I feel like he made a decision that was best for him."

Bobby Bowden, who coached FSU when the Seminoles-Gators rivalry was particularly heated, said Tuesday he was always "infatuated" with Spurrier, in part because of his humor.

"I was infatuated with him because of the statements he made," Bowden said. "They were funny. I always pictured him as the national champion at needling people."

Bowden said Spurrier's verbal jabs, such as referring to FSU as "Free Shoes University," never got to him.

"I thought they were clever and I knew him," Bowden said. "He was good at it whether it was us or Tennessee or Georgia or whoever. That's his nature. It was humorous to me. I hate to see him leave. He's such a favorite."