Dec. 3, 2012

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees has approved a two-year contract extension for head football coach Steve Spurrier, it was announced today. The contract extension keeps the Head Ball Coach in charge of the Gamecock football program through the 2017 season.

“We have had another tremendous year on the football field, winning 10 games for the second-straight year and for just the third time in school history,” said Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “Over the last two days, we have been rewarded accordingly. First, we were selected to play a traditional football power like Michigan in the Outback Bowl, then Coach Spurrier agreed to this two-year contract extension. Our student-athletes are not only having tremendous success on the field, but also in the classroom. Coach Spurrier continues to take our program to heights never before reached at South Carolina, as is well-deserving of this contract extension.”

Coach Spurrier led the Gamecocks to a 10-2 regular season record in 2012, reaching double-digits in wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history. The Gamecocks will have a chance to match the 2011 record for wins in a season with 11 when they take on the Michigan Wolverines in the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2013 in Tampa, Fla.

“I appreciate the confidence the Board, the President and the Athletics Director have shown by extending my contract,” said Coach Spurrier. “We have achieved a lot of goals but have not yet won the SEC Championship. Hopefully, we can do that within the next couple of years.”

Coach Spurrier became the school’s all-time winningest coach when he recorded his 65th victory as the Carolina head coach in a 27-17 win over Clemson in the 2012 regular season finale, breaking the mark of 64 wins held by Rex Enright. He joined the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant as the only coaches to own the school record for wins at two SEC institutions. That victory was also Carolina’s fourth-straight over Clemson, matching the school’s longest winning streak over the Tigers. The Gamecocks are an impressive 11-1 over the last three seasons against their top four rivals – Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Clemson. Carolina has won 21 games over the past two seasons, 30 games over three seasons and 37 games over four seasons, all school records.