(Columbia-AP) Nov. 22, 2004 - University of South Carolina football coach Lou Holtz announced his retirement Monday morning in Columbia, ending one of the most successful and colorful college football careers .
USC President Dr. Andrew Sorensen said, "It is with enormous reluctance that our athletics director, Mike McGee, and I have accepted Coach Holtz's request to step down as Carolina's head football coach."
Coach Holtz says he doesn't know what he is going to do next or where he will do it. Holtz says he is disappointed that he did not win a championship with the Gamecocks. Holtz told his USC players before practice Thursday he was retiring.
Holtz told reporters in Columbia there was not one particular moment in which he made the decision to leave. He did not give a specific reason, other than to say he got worn down.
USC athletics director Mike McGee says, "Earlier this season Coach Holtz came to me, and we began dialogue regardingng to his fututre. It was always Coach Holtz's call on when he would decide to retire. Recently he told me that now was the time, that the program was on solid ground and the future looked bright."
The coach also says he's not happy with the way the team played in November. Holtz was 3-15 in games in November. He came to South Carolina in 1999 and went 0-11 the first season before taking the Gamecocks to back-to-back Outback Bowl appearances. Holtz is the only coach in South Carolina history with two bowl victories.
Holtz says he's pleased the team has qualified for three bowl games in the past five years. But Holtz's final regular season game with the Gamecocks was marred by an ugly brawl between players at the South Carolina-Clemson game Saturday. The fight broke out with 5:48 to go with the Tigers up by three touchdowns and required police force to dispel it. Clemson won the game 29-to-7.
Holtz says the fight was devastating to him personally, to the University of South Carolina and to college football.
Officials with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference are reviewing the incident and will decide whether to hand out punishment. Clemson police chief Gregory Harris says he has not ruled out filing charges in the incident. Carolina and Clemson administrators, however, have already decided to deny their schools bowl spots.
Holtz also says he expects to be replaced by a well-known, proven winner with whom he plays golf. Reports have said former University of Florida and Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier has agreed to coach USC when Holtz leaves.
Supporters say Lou Holtz brought more than victories to South Carolina and many expressed grateful appreciation. Holtz's coaching peers described him as one of the greatest. Fans praised his
ability to turn the program around at South Carolina, and school administrators applauded the national exposure the 67-year-old coach has given them.
Florida State coach Bobby Bowden says Holtz has brought a lot to the game and it will seem strange without him. Penn State coach Joe Paterno says Holtz was one of the best coaches he had ever competed with.
Holtz has coached college football for 33 seasons and is eighth all time with 249 victories. He has become known for reviving dormant programs. He's 33-37 at South Carolina.
Holtz has coached at William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He took each of his teams to bowls in his second season after inheriting losing teams.
updated 11:42am by Chris Rees
