Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Steve Spurrier was hired at South Carolina on Tuesday after the school trustees' executive board approved a seven-year deal worth $1.25 million a season for the former Florida coach.
Spurrier, who replaces the retiring Lou Holtz, returns to college football after a three-year absence. He was coach of the Washington Redskins for two seasons after leaving Florida, going 12-20 before resigning.
Spurrier won the 1996 national championship and six Southeastern Conference titles while with the Gators, and also went 10-0 against the Gamecocks.
The ol' ball coach met with the team Tuesday morning. Players said Spurrier told them he wanted to bring fun back to the game.
Athletic director Mike McGee presented details of the contract to the trustees.
"Maybe we're prejudiced now for Steve Spurrier," McGee said. "That wasn't always the case."
Spurrier's hiring had been expected for nearly a week.
After the recent firing of Ron Zook, there was much speculation that Spurrier would return to Florida next season. However, Spurrier pulled out of the running, saying 12 years at one school was probably enough.
Next season, Florida is scheduled to play at South Carolina on Nov. 12.
Spurrier, 59, went 20-13-1 in three seasons at Duke before taking over at Florida, his alma mater, in 1990. He posted 122 victories over 12 seasons, tormented opponents with his offensive flair and witty one-liners, and departed with the best winning percentage in league history.
Holtz, 67, kicked things off Monday, on one of the strangest days in South Carolina football history. Holtz made official what he hinted about for weeks, and retired after 33 seasons.
Then came the news that South Carolina and rival Clemson, both 6-5, would forego bowl bids because of a brawl late in the Tigers' 29-7 victory Saturday.