Nov. 30, 2005

– Co-defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has been promoted to Assistant Head Coach and Madre Hill has been dismissed as running backs coach at the University of South Carolina, Head Coach Steve Spurrier announced today.

Nix, 33, completed his first season at South Carolina after spending the previous 10 years on the staff at Southern Miss. In addition to serving as the co-defensive coordinator, he also served as the Gamecocks’ defensive line coach. Nix became the primary signal-caller for the defense midway through the 2005 season. Over the final six games, Carolina allowed just 104 points, an average of 17.3 points per game. Overall, the Gamecocks rank 31st in the country in scoring defense (21.9 points per game) and 10th in pass defense (176.1 yards per game). They registered 32 sacks, their most team sacks in the last 15 years. Carolina was especially tough in the redzone, allowing just 19 touchdowns in 43 redzone opportunities. The Gamecocks held seven of their 11 opponents to fewer points than their season average, including each of the last four opponents.

“If I am away from the team, Tyrone deserves to be in charge,” said Spurrier.

Hill, 29, completed his first year at South Carolina as the running backs coach after serving as a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas in 2004. The Gamecocks rank 110th in the country in rushing offense, averaging 90.9 yards per game.

“We appreciate the job Madre did this past season,” said Spurrier, “but I believe we need a more experienced coach at this position. We wish Coach Hill the best in the future.”