Neo
11-22-2004, 11:24 AM
http://wistv.static.worldnow.com/images/2598017_SS.jpgCoach Lou Holtz retires from USC.
It all started on December 4, 1998, when Mr. Holtz was announced as the head coach at the University of South Carolina. Now six (6) years later, he is announcing his retirement Monday morning in Columbia, ending one of the most successful and colorful college football careers. Coach Holtz says he doesn't know what he is going to do next or where he will do it. Holtz says he is disappointed that he did not win a SEC/National championship with the Gamecocks. Holtz told his USC players before practice Thursday he was retiring.
Holtz told reporters in Columbia there was not one particular moment in which he made the decision to leave. He did not give a specific reason, other than to say he got worn down and was ready to devote his time to his family.
The coach also says he's not happy with the way the team played in November. Holtz was 3-15 in games in November. He came to South Carolina in 1999 and went 0-11 the first season before taking the Gamecocks to back-to-back Outback bowl victories. Holtz is the only coach in South Carolina history with two New Years Day bowl victories.
Holtz says he's pleased the team has qualified for three bowl games in the past five years. He says he doesn't know if South Carolina will accept this year's bowl invitation after the fight at the Clemson game Saturday. This year the Gamecocks (6-5) are bowl eligible and could end up at the Peach Bowl or the Independence Bowl, depending on how the rest of the Southeastern Conference finishes their season.
Holtz's final regular season game with the Gamecocks was ruined by an ugly brawl between players at the South Carolina-Clemson game Saturday. The fight broke out with 5:48 to go with the Tigers up by three touchdowns and required police force to dispel it. Clemson won the game 29-to-7.
Holtz says the fight was devastating to him personally, to the University of South Carolina, it's fans and to college football.
Officials with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference are reviewing tape of the incident and will decide whether to hand out punishment. Clemson police chief Gregory Harris says he has not ruled out filing charges in the incident. Holtz also says he expects to be replaced by a well-known, proven winner that he plays golf with. Reports have said former University of Florida and Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier has agreed to coach USC when Holtz leaves. Even though Coach Holtz didn't say it, he eluded to the fact that Mr. Spurrier may coach the team in their bowl game. Holtz has coached college football for 33 seasons and is eighth all time with 249 victories. He has become known for reviving dead programs. He's 33-37 at South Carolina.
Holtz has coached at William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He took each of his teams to bowls in his second season after inheriting losing teams.
Goodbye Mr. Holtz and godspeed.
Photo included is from WIS-TV (NBC) Columbia, SC
It all started on December 4, 1998, when Mr. Holtz was announced as the head coach at the University of South Carolina. Now six (6) years later, he is announcing his retirement Monday morning in Columbia, ending one of the most successful and colorful college football careers. Coach Holtz says he doesn't know what he is going to do next or where he will do it. Holtz says he is disappointed that he did not win a SEC/National championship with the Gamecocks. Holtz told his USC players before practice Thursday he was retiring.
Holtz told reporters in Columbia there was not one particular moment in which he made the decision to leave. He did not give a specific reason, other than to say he got worn down and was ready to devote his time to his family.
The coach also says he's not happy with the way the team played in November. Holtz was 3-15 in games in November. He came to South Carolina in 1999 and went 0-11 the first season before taking the Gamecocks to back-to-back Outback bowl victories. Holtz is the only coach in South Carolina history with two New Years Day bowl victories.
Holtz says he's pleased the team has qualified for three bowl games in the past five years. He says he doesn't know if South Carolina will accept this year's bowl invitation after the fight at the Clemson game Saturday. This year the Gamecocks (6-5) are bowl eligible and could end up at the Peach Bowl or the Independence Bowl, depending on how the rest of the Southeastern Conference finishes their season.
Holtz's final regular season game with the Gamecocks was ruined by an ugly brawl between players at the South Carolina-Clemson game Saturday. The fight broke out with 5:48 to go with the Tigers up by three touchdowns and required police force to dispel it. Clemson won the game 29-to-7.
Holtz says the fight was devastating to him personally, to the University of South Carolina, it's fans and to college football.
Officials with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference are reviewing tape of the incident and will decide whether to hand out punishment. Clemson police chief Gregory Harris says he has not ruled out filing charges in the incident. Holtz also says he expects to be replaced by a well-known, proven winner that he plays golf with. Reports have said former University of Florida and Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier has agreed to coach USC when Holtz leaves. Even though Coach Holtz didn't say it, he eluded to the fact that Mr. Spurrier may coach the team in their bowl game. Holtz has coached college football for 33 seasons and is eighth all time with 249 victories. He has become known for reviving dead programs. He's 33-37 at South Carolina.
Holtz has coached at William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He took each of his teams to bowls in his second season after inheriting losing teams.
Goodbye Mr. Holtz and godspeed.
Photo included is from WIS-TV (NBC) Columbia, SC