Steve Spurrier: 'I'm resigning, I'm not retiring'

Steve Spurrier's final press conference at South Carolina began in typical Spurrier fashion.

"First of all, I'm resigning, I'm not retiring," he said. "Let's get that part straight."

With that, the Head Ball Coach is now the former Head Ball Coach, as co-offensive coordinator Shawn Elliott is set to take over head coaching duties on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.

When asked why he didn't coach until the end of the season, Spurrier didn't hesitate to say that he didn't believe he was the man for the job anymore.

He went on to say that as soon as a program begins to go south, that's his cue to step aside in order to allow someone else an opportunity to lead the program.

"I believe when something's inevitable, you do it right now," Spurrier said. "You don't wait."

Elliott is in his sixth season serving as the Gamecocks' co-offensive coordinator.

Prior to his arrival in Columbia, Elliott coached his entire career at his alma mater, Appalachian State, where he helped lead the Mountaineers to three consecutive FCS national championships from 2005-07.

After graduating in 1996, Elliott worked for two seasons as a defensive assistant, then two seasons as the tight ends coach before leading the offensive line in 2001.

As a player with the Mountaineers, Elliott was the first in school history to appear in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs four separate seasons.