Reports have Holtz retiring, Spurrier in at South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Lou Holtz will retire as coach at South Carolina after the season, The Associated Press learned Thursday night, apparently paving the way for Steve Spurrier to replace him.

Holtz told his team before Thursday’s practice that he was retiring, according to a source close to the program who spoke on condition of anonymity. All season, the 67-year-old Holtz said he was worn out and tired, and even said Spurrier would be a good choice to succeed him.

The Tennessean of Nashville reported that Spurrier had agreed to take over at South Carolina, if and when Holtz stepped down.

An announcement regarding Spurrier, who won a national championship at Florida, is expected next week, the newspaper said, citing an anonymous source close to the situation.

South Carolina athletic director Mike McGee would not confirm or deny whether Holtz had decided to retire or Spurrier had been approached to replace him.

Several calls to Spurrier’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, were not returned.

After practice, Holtz drove his golf cart from the practice field to the stadium to speak with a group of fans gathered to wish the team well before it leaves today for Clemson. The coach thanked them for their support. “It’s always meant a lot to me,” he said.

When asked if he had told his players, Holtz jumped in the cart and sped back to his office.

Holtz is the eighth-winningest coach in Division I with 249 victories at six schools. He took each school — William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina — to bowls in his second season after inheriting losing teams.

This week, as the Gamecocks (6-4, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) prepared for Saturday’s game with Clemson, Holtz addressed reports that South Carolina contacted Spurrier.

“I’ve talked to Steve,” Holtz said. “I don’t want to go in that direction, but I have talked to him. We talked about how you cure a slice, his son, etc. Steve’s a good friend of mine, as I said. All I want to talk about is Clemson, Clemson, Clemson. That’s all. That’s the only thing on my mind.”

There was much speculation that Spurrier would return to Florida next season, following the recent firing of Ron Zook.

But Spurrier pulled out of the running, saying 12 years at one school were probably enough.

Next season, Florida is scheduled to play at South Carolina on Nov. 12.