Holtz was better at USCjr than SOS

[PhilipKDick]

He started with a program that had back to back 0-11 seasons and built them up into a team that beat Ohio State in back to back years in the Outback bowl. That's more than SOS has ever done there. I know everybody hates Granny, but I'm always amazed at how people credit SOS with some kind of resurgence at USCjr.

[brothervoliver2]

For whatever reason, he has not had a QB there that was anywhere near top level and he certainly hasn't "made" a QB like he did was guys like Noah Brindiase and another one or two that escapes me. Their OL at SC collectively has been terrible since he has been there and seems to get no better annually. Ironically, they have had some great WR's come through the program under him and unlike at Florida these guys are sticking in the pros afterwards. I think his star has faded for most of this decade (including the NFL). But also remember that Holtz left that program in a mess and I think SOS kicked off kids in the double digits his first year and many of them were some of the better players they had left.

[AtlantaVol]

He started with a program that had back to back 0-11 seasons and built them up into a team that beat Ohio State in back to back years in the Outback bowl. That's more than SOS has ever done there. I know everybody hates Granny, but I'm always amazed at how people credit SOS with some kind of resurgence at USCjr.

Holtz did build them up from nothing but he peaked and then got worse. he also had a house full of thugs as BroVoliver says, that Spurrier booted.

Spurrier has kept them at that 5-7 win level but ironically has done it with Defense rather than offense. Spurrier has also recruited pretty good for USCe and usually is around #20'ish in recruiting. Not enough talent to beat the Big 6 in the SEC consistently and certainly not without a big time QB, but not terrible talent like Holtz left them with.

[SoftballVol]

Overall SOS has pretty much kept the program at approximately the level at which he found it. USC could have done better and one of these days they'll hire someone like CLK who will do better. That place has way more fan support than it deserves given their record over the years. USC needs to give up hiring over-the-hill/quasi-retired/formerly-successful HCs and give someone a little younger and more energetic a try for once. However, if they really think that hiring guys who were once successful but no longer are then they need look no further than our own lazy-ass Phil Fulmer for their next HC.

[gatewayghost]

I thought Spurriers first team was his best. They were just a few plays away from being the SEC east champs. I think most of the plays that cost that team were in the kicking game. Holtz did a great job of building it to where it is and Spurrier has done a good job keeping it there. They would be crazy to fire Spurrier, I don't care what happens the rest of the year. I find it interesting that you have two of the great modern day coaches tending to your program for about 10 years and 8-4 is the best you can do. I always thought SC maybe a sleeping giant but that's not the case.

[BuckheadVol]

I think USC has an opportunity to be really competitive over the next several years. They have some nice young talent on the team, especially on defense. They have Jeffrey, Giles, Gilmore, Holloman, etc. If Garcia can take a step forward next year and they can find a OL, then they could compete for the East. Really, if you think about it, next year could be their best shot in history. Florida will be replacing Tebow, Spikes and others. UGA will most likely still be in somewhat of shambles. We will also be playing with a new QB and a suspect OL. The SEC East could be wide open in 2010. Stay tuned.

With all of that said, however, you can see it on SOS's face that he's about finished. He won't stand for 4-5 loss seasons much longer. I personally think he's done after 2011.

[SoftballVol]

I thought Spurriers first team was his best. They were just a few plays away from being the SEC east champs. I think most of the plays that cost that team were in the kicking game. Holtz did a great job of building it to where it is and Spurrier has done a good job keeping it there. They would be crazy to fire Spurrier, I don't care what happens the rest of the year. I find it interesting that you have two of the great modern day coaches tending to your program for about 10 years and 8-4 is the best you can do. I always thought SC maybe a sleeping giant but that's not the case.
I think they could do better. They just need a coach who still has the fire in the belly. Holtz was mainly motivated to build a program that he could turn over to his son. Chances are SOS had the exact same motivation. Neither seemed to feel that he had anything to prove. You just know that both Holtz and SOS felt that taking the USC job was an embarrassment after coaching ND and UF. USC needs someone with a lot of upside for whom the USC job would be an upgrade. A young Urban Whiner maybe. If SOS leaves for whatever reason it wouldn't surprise me to see USC go after one of the current UT assistants. Ed Orgeron comes to mind or maybe Jim Chaney. That is, if they've learned their lesson about hiring over the hill former legends.

[dingleberryvol]

I agree the Gamecocks could be very good next season. The Arkansas game this week is huge for Steve to get a winning season and decent bowl bid. Of course, if the Gamecocks lose the last 3 games in a real flameout fashion it may be a rough road for SOS. Beating Clemson would sure be huge.

Holtz picked up a train wreck from Brad Scott and made a competitive program. He coached a year or two too long. SOS picked up a solid foundation from which to work at SC and actually may get traction next year if the fans give him time. I see him retiring after 2011 or after 2012 at the latest.

Georgia is a program sliding back fairly rapidly and if SC can replace the Dawgs as one of the Big 3 in the East - for one year at least - that is vast improvement. In 2010, with UF and the Vols in transition it is not inconceivable for South Carolina to win the East kind of like the Vols did in 2007.

[sangle wang]

Shula et al


I noticed So Car has a backup QB named Brindise, Zac---Noah's baby bro.