Spurrier resigns, takes blame for South Carolina’s slide

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier directs his team from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia in Athens, Ga. A person close to the situation says Spurrier told his team on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, that he was retiring, effective immediately. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because South Carolina has not publicly announced Spurrier's decision or who will be interim coach. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier directs his team from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia in Athens, Ga. A person close to the situation says Spurrier told his team on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, that he was retiring, effective immediately. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because South Carolina has not publicly announced Spurrier's decision or who will be interim coach. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

By Associated Press October 13, 2015 4 min read

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Steve Spurrier said Tuesday that he made the decision to resign as South Carolina’s head coach because the team was heading in the wrong direction.

“We’ve slipped. It’s my fault. I’m the head coach,” he told a news conference.

Spurrier said he started really thinking about resigning Sunday morning, spoke to South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner that afternoon and told his team on Monday night that he was stepping down, effective immediately.

Spurrier said he felt he needed to step down now because he doesn’t believe there is accountability with players if they know the coach won’t be back next year. He also said he was a recruiting liability.

He had never had a losing season in 25 previous seasons coach at Duke (1987-89), Florida (1990-2001) or South Carolina, where he has been since 2005.