Dec. 17, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – * South Carolina head football coach Lou Holtz spoke to the media Wednesday evening. Holtz had been at a meeting at The Colonial Center and visited with the press prior to the USC-Charleston Southern men’s basketball game. Coach Holtz said he is busy working to hire some new assistant coaches and also covering the recruiting bases. Holtz will travel out of town Thursday on a recruiting trip. He declined to elaborate on the specifics of the interview process for the assistants. “Once something is definite, I’ll let you know, but we are talking to some very good candidates.” Holtz let four assistants go two days after the season-ending loss to Clemson. He hired Ron Cooper as defensive backs coach this past Saturday. Former wide receivers coach Charlie Williams resigned last Sunday to take an assistant coach position at the University of Arizona.
* When asked about the attitude of the players, Coach Holtz said “it varies, depending upon who you talk with. I have met with every player individually and am in the process of evaluating everything we do.”
* Coach Holtz said the decision to dismiss the four coaches was a “difficult process. These were good football coaches. They were good enough for you to win two Outback Bowls. I just felt there were certain changes that had to be made. I thought there was justification for the decisions I made. So much of it is subjective.”
* Coach Holtz said he didn’t have a firm timetable on hiring the new coaches. “So many of the people we’re talking to are still involved with bowl games. I want people who really and truly want to be here.”
* When asked if he was going to take over the responsibility of the offense, Coach Holtz said: “I would think that would be safe to say … That’s what I’ve done in the past and that’s what I’m accustomed to doing. (Will Skip Holtz retain the title of offensive coordinator?) “I really can’t say at this time, but I will take over the offense.”
* Coach Holtz said he would like to have two spring games this year … He also said that offensive lineman Jon Hall has been suspended from the team for violation of team rules … Kenny Irons and Bennett Swygert plan to transfer from USC next semester … “I think Bennett Swygert was the ideal quarterback for South Carolina when we were recruiting him. He was a good leader, a good passer, very smart and he had a passion for the game. Two serious knee operations certainly curtailed his ability to move. He wants to play so badly that there is no way I could say you are going to be the quarterback of the future at South Carolina. I have great respect for him … Dondrial Pinkins is still a quarterback and he will remain at quarterback. Now, he could be a quarterback on the bench, he could be the starter or he could be the backup. We’ll have to see.”
