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 of South Carolina president and athletic director to stay through the season – accepting the harsh reality that the team’s awful 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,” Spurrier said.
The 70-year-old 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 and gave him hope for better things ahead.
The Gamecocks, though, have struggled at 2-4 and are 0-4 in the Southeastern Conference for the first time inSpurrier’s 23 seasons in the league.