There was no pay increase in the extension. Spurrier is set to make 2.88 million in 2012 and 2.95 million in the last three years of his contract.
“I appreciate the administration agreeing that the head coach should have four years remaining on his contract to show the recruits and fans that he plans to be here,” Spurrier said in a release. “Our football program is headed in the right direction. We’ve had some success and have had some good things happen here, but winning the SEC is one goal we have not yet reached. We hope and believe we can do that in the next four years.”
Spurrier has expressed in the past that he desires to hold school’s all-time wins record. Rex Enright currently holds that record with 64 wins, with Spurrier coming in second with 54 wins. Spurrier led USC to its first 10-win season since 1984 this year.
“The accomplishments that have transpired under Coach Spurrier’s leadership are exemplary,” said Athletics Director Eric Hyman in the same release. “He is committed to getting the best out of our student-athletes, both on the football field and in the classroom. He is well-deserving of this extension and we look forward to having him lead our program for several years to come.”
Response to NCAA Notice of Allegations to be released tomorrow:
Spurrier’s extension came the day before the university is set to release its response to the NCAA Notice of Allegations, which can be found here. The Notice of Allegations outlines what is to be included in the response in pages 10-13.
One of the changes that South Carolina is likely to include in its response is the hiring of Judy Van Horn, Senior Associate Director of Athletics / Senior Woman Administrator / Interim Director of Compliance Services. Van Horn replaces Jennifer Stiles, who was Director of Compliance when the alleged violations occurred.
According to the university’s website, Van Horn comes to USC after a nine-year tenure at Michigan. Van Horn now oversees all NCAA related initiatives, including athletics certification and the athletics compliance program, as well as NCAA, SEC, university and department policies. Van Horn will supervise a variety of sports programs and will serve on the department's management team.
“We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the NCAA in all aspects of their review,” said Hyman in a statement released by the university after receiving the NCAA notice. “Any pertinent information from the NCAA that can help us strengthen our athletics program will be used as an opportunity to make positive change.”
Cornerback Martay Mattox to transfer:
Freshman cornerback Martay Mattox intends to transfer, a university official confirmed Tuesday.
The Athens, Ga. native graduated high school early, enabling him to enroll at USC this past January and take part in spring drills with the football squad. He was redshirted in his first season with the Gamecocks.
What to look forward to:
I’m covering the men’s hoops game against Presbyterian tonight, so there’ll be a recap from the game on the main website tonight, as well as extras from the game on the blog tomorrow morning.
There’ll also be something on the response to the NCAA Notice of Allegations once it’s released to the public tomorrow afternoon, so stay tuned for that.
Tweet of the Day: @BryanDFischer: Craig James is an expert in smear campaigns, should fit right into politics.
That’s right, folks, Craig James is leaving ESPN to pursue a career in politics. He will file for the Republican Senate Primary in Texas this week.
Sports story that will be overlooked because of other headlines: From ESPN.com, Selling Prince Fielder is big business: http://espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove11/story/_/id/7347878/the-book-prince-fielder
