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Sports

South Carolina extends Spurrier through 2017

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Columbia, SC – South Carolina extended the contract of head football coach Steve Spurrier by two years on Monday following a second consecutive season of double-digit wins.

Spurrier is now signed through 2017 following the agreement. The 7-time SEC Coach of the Year guided the Gamecocks to a 10-2 regular season in 2012, one year after the program set a school record for victories with an 11-2 mark that included a win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl.

The Gamecocks are presently ranked 11th in the AP Top 25 poll and finished last season with a No. 9 national ranking. South Carolina had never achieved back-to-back seasons with 10 or more wins prior to this year.

"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. "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."

Spurrier, who came to South Carolina in 2005 following a failed two-year stint as head coach of the Washington Redskins, has amassed a 65-37 record in eight seasons and led the Gamecocks to five consecutive bowl games. The 67-year-old has been named SEC Coach of the Year twice during his tenure at the university, receiving the award in 2005 and again in 2010.

The Gamecocks have also gone a combined 11-1 against rivals Florida, Georgia, Clemson and Tennessee over the past three seasons under the "Head Ball Coach."

"I appreciate the confidence the Board, the President and the Athletics Director have shown by extending my contract," said 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."

Spurrier did win six SEC titles during a highly successful 12-year reign at his alma mater, Florida, from 1990-2001. His Gators also captured the 1996 National Championship with a 12-1 campaign that season.

South Carolina will conclude the season on New Year's Day with a matchup against Michigan in the Outback Bowl in Tampa.