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vwm i use vs. N Jacksonville in men's basketball. Michael brings us the final NITRO report of the semes- St. ter. At, Hi 1J After firing C |J^, .y ? . ' tyx# & jg ife & fefe k". Brad Scott was fired last Monday five years at Carolina, including tl Losses overs | KELLY MAGUIRE Last Monday, I was heading tc the Zone to meet my father for lunch and attend a Tip-Off Club meeting when I was approached by a friend of mine from my dorm. She asked me if I had heard the news about football coach Brad bcottrs termination. I hadnt, so I rushed for my contacts in the media. When I arrived at the meeting, I immediately saw Charlie McAlexander, USC's radio play-by-play man, and asked him if it was true. He told me the news and informed me of the press conference that was to take place later that day. Of course, I can't say I was surprised by the news, but nothing prepared me for the emotions I would feel later that day. I have tried to remain impartial throughout this year in writing my articles for The Gamecock; however, this being the newspaper for the university, I feel we must show respect for our peers who are athletes. This being said, I am a Gamecock fan and have been for nearly 20 years. I love Carolina athletics with all mv heart and I truly believe in the talents of student-athletes at this university. I haven't stated my opinion on the coaching situation in any article this year, but I think it's time the students of USC learned what kind of man coach Scott really is. I arrived at a 2 p.m. press conference in front of the Roundhouse. There, Athletics Director Dr. Mike McGee addressed the media and stated his reasons for the firing of Scott. FL from Sunday M irolina 21 N.Y. Jets 48 Atlanta 21 . . Louis 10 I lanta clinches playoff spot LIE CI LlJj oach Brad Scott p MBMi , cjJk" 4$ " ,w * 'J'' ,/ # ,- * * "1 *% , t # < , , J $ , ? &ywH * *S ' 4 *r# J m I !# *' ? t... 'V / % Mmt 1 "? xhL^:' r. L ' 4 after posting a 1-10 record in 1998. The native c le Gamecocks' first bowl victory. The search is o hadow good in B I listened intently and I must say Coac I can see why McGee came to his con- with intei elusion. I am i I can also understand why fans are sion. It v ) so disappointed in the 1998 campaign, he did wh t Fans' reactions are justified due to the versity. l fact that so many people give so much But, I i money to this university. However, I, ize what like many others in the media, were is- His do i saddened nonetheless. ?f that ve 1 After meeting with his players at 4 Coach i p.m., coach Scott came in to address the to his p media one last time. hurt any< I was not ready for the set of emo- he felt wa tions that ran through me as Scott He is a L approached the podium. I looked around *his un^Vf at all of the familiar faces of the What South Carolina media. Scott ^ I then looked at the players who were in attendance. Finally, I looked at :^eTs *n coach Scott's family. tt The looks of sadness on the faces of , ?)ve all these people shot through my heart. waj^ Ror I thought back to the hiring of this man ^ ^ and the first bowl victory he brought to ,,e us. I recalled all the good things he has V e/ done for this university. ^ Coach Scott made this team some- enfe(j thing to be proud of. Our football team j wag is now second in the Southeastern Con- fu;c . . . lllls IIlcLIl. ference m graduation rate, behind on- en(je(j e. ly Vanderbilt. talk to an His recruiting classes have consis- moments tently been ranked among the nation's wjth the i elite. Most football players here will wjth his f state thatScott is the reason they chose He thr to come to USC. port and tl In a world so full of hatred and back- 0n a youn stabbing, it was refreshing to know that I spok someone in an authority position could was so cai be such an honest and caring person, always be Coach Scott truly cares for each one I later of his athletes. Many of them will con- ers, who s tinue to remain in contact with him real man. as they determine their paths in life. I coulc 1 )PORTS iAROil t Monday, USC is now lookin, Holtz next t '?***& A ~ staff writerWLUMH FOLKS djkf The move most USC fans had l> if ^ c4 m^ ,4 been expecting since mid-season finally came to pass Monday afterThe much-anticipated decision l\t on Brad Scott, whose fifth year in iJMfc Columbia went down as the biggest Idisaster in the 106-year history of gram, was announced to reporters v|V shortly after 2 p.m. last Monday in 3"')'" ^ron^ Roun<^ouse by USC ^E, " ** Athletics Director Mike McGee. It was, as expected, a firing. MpTIao nifoil flia nfAirpam'c inakili. iui/vjuv/ vivvu tiiv |yx uiu o umuui ty to compete successfully in the Southeastern Conference as the Kmain reason for Scott's buster, but clearly the Gamecocks' 1-10 record in 1998 (which included losses to Marshall and Vanderbilt) didn't help the Arcadia, Fla., native's cause. Scott, 44, had maintained that he "expected to be back" just two days before, despite dropping his 10th game in a row (to archrival Clemson) and finishing the season with the worst record in school history. While McGee stated Monday that the search could begin for Scott's replacement, here's a quick news flash: That search is over. Lou Holtz will be named South Carolina's new head football coach, possibly as soon as this week. Holtz spent last Wednesday night in Columbia, and while he does vacation in the Midlands quite regularly, this visit was strictly busi" ness. Sources close to the South Carolina program have indicated that tt.1i i r *ii Hunn nonz spoKe lniormaiiy wun several members of USC's board of Hp trustees, and might have even spoken directly with McGee concernW ing the position. jPi|!^_ The former Notre Dame head Hp * coach apparently wants to get back file photo into college coaching at the Division-I level, and views the South >f Arcadia, Fia., went 24-33-1 in his Carolina job as an ideal opportuni- n for a new head coach. ^ radScct use fires h Scott ran this program grity and class. not disputing McGee's deci- I sports editor NATHAN BROWN ms his to make and I know at he feels is best for this uni- After going 1-10 and setting the longest li in South Carolina football history, USC's foot!: would like all of you to real- was boiuid to see some changes after the end a wonderful man this coach son- those changes came last Mo wnfall was probably because USC Athletics Director Mike McGee announci jy fact coach Brad Scott had been fired. Smtt wn?j mn<st lilrplv tnn lnv "I recommended to President Palms that a artners. He never wanted to leadershiP for our footba11 P"Bramme and he always did what accepted that recommendation," McGee said u is right statement in front of the Rex Enright Center i reason so many parents trust "My evaluation of this program was not b trsity with their children. on a revww ?f'Ms past season but uphurts so much is that coach a review of a coUechon of factors and ? . a ,, trends over the past few years culmi wo luoli I1UW EUUU LXiio tcalll IS ,. ... ,, . r , r j-i i nating with this season, McGee said. e e. Ibeheveinthemandhebe- un. f ? , V' , r r ,, v , , Our football programs lack of satisfac- t them. Next year the team , ,. r , 1 wejj tory progress and inability to successmlwe c ,, . ly compete in the Southeastern Confer- h ver Scott won t reap the re- mce M to ^ dedsion/, has team doing as well as they Scott came to Carolina five years ago f hat tame, many waU say it s fom statei where he was the of. )ach s domg, that he has made fensive coordinator under coach Bobby ence, but a coach is only as Bowden. He had no previous Division-I is players and the new head head coaching experience, inherit some wonderfully tal- "Five years ago, USC took a chance on a ] tant coach and gave me the opportunity to be i so fortunate to get to know at the highest level of competition. I always w As his last press conference ful for that," Scott said. "I will always be indefc veryone stayed around to McGee because he gave me the first opportu lan who in one of the saddest head football coach." of his life still held himself Despite having no experience as a head < ltmost pride, concerned only was quick to produce results. In 1994, his first amily and his players. Carolina to its first-ever bowl win, a 24-211 inked everyone for their sup- West Virginia in the Carquest Bowl, he university for taking a risk "I guess I get to go on the record books tw g offensive coordinator. for] the first bowl win and for the worst seaso e to him afterwards and he torv of the universitv. That's one extreme to the ring ? the same man he has and there's a lot in between," Scott said, en. After the team's initial success in 1994, the spoke with one of his play- gram slowly began a decline. In 1996, USC ] said of Scott, "Now there's a record; in 1997, Carolina finished one game b 5-6; and this season saw USC finish dead-lasl In't have said it better. with the horrific 1-10 mark. Tonight, 7:30 p.m. Nate says the USC Men's basketball vs. men's basketball Jacksonville team is 23-1 at home Tuesday, 7 p.m. since Dec. 28, 1996. Women's basketball vs. The team's lone loss LSU came to Kentucky | last season. SON g for a new football coach : coach for Carolina? While Holtz would not comment As a new era of Gamecock footon the USC position Saturday on ball begins, let's not forget to wish CBS College Football Gameday, Brad Scott and his family the best, saying -Dm'i talk to the monkey, vme fte results were baW not talk to the organ-grinder, his hir- , , ,, , 1Jvf , inghasallthetrappingsofadone hatthey should deal. Rumors have circulated across there 1S no Questioning Scott s charthe USC campus that Holtz has acter> dedication, and effort. Things even gone so far as to purchase prop- just didn't work out for him here, erty on Lake Murray. and hopefully he'll be given anThe decision to hire Holtz should other chance to prove himself somelend instant credibility to the USC where else program as well as give the Game- M for Holtz he ^ ^ cocks a decided edge over Clemson , ,, . , ,, in reeraitinn f?r tL 1999 self and ^ sorae- Let s hoP* the As one insider told me, "There's community gives him the a lot of parents all over this coun- authority and discretionary power try that wouldn't mind their kids he will need to turn the program playing for Lou Holtz." Indeed. around. 1 The Rumor Miil | Besides former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz, there are several other people being considered for USC's vacant head coaching position. Here's a look at potential coaches for the Gamecocks: Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech) ? led the Hokies to a 8-3 record this year; team won Big East and Sugar Bowl in 1996-97 season; considered one of the best head coaches in college football; interviewed with Clemson Sunday and is expected to talk to USC today; a longshot Tommy Bowden (Tulane) ? one of the hottest young coaches in the sport; led the Green Wave to a perfect 11-0 record and a No. 9 ranking in 1998; son of Florida State Head Coach Bobby Bowden and brother of former Auburn coach Terry Bowden; is speculated he will be the next coach of the Clemson Tigers. Chuck Reedy (South Carolina) ? was the Gamecocks' offensive coordinator in 1998; one of few coaches still recruiting for the Gamecocks as of Friday; former assistant at Baylor and Clemson Butch Davis (Miami)?turned the Hurricanes' program around in just a few short years; had Miami one win away from a BCS spot, but team lost to Syracuse Saturday; the longest of shots, as he has a $1 million buyout clause in his contract. Scott Monday "We didn't win enough games," Scott said. "That's the bottom line. Any time a coach is fired that's what comes osing streak up ? he just didn't win enough ballgames." >all program While the Gamecocks had limited success on the I of this sea- field, they clearly made great strides in the classroom nday, when under Scott's watch. ^d that head USC has one of the highest graduation rates, not only in the SEC (second only to Vanderbilt) but also in the nave seek new tion. t Palms has "It was such a privilege serving as head coach of this 1 a prepared program," Scott said. "I love these players very much They have a special place in my heart. I will continue to be their ased simply biggest fan. I'm a little jealous for the next guy who comes in here." We didn't win Now that the head coaching position is vacant, the speculation turns nOUgh games. to who will be the next head coach hat's the bottom at ^r?Una; l;_. , uu lai, tut; ust ui pussiuie repiaceWe. ments has included Virginia Tech Brad Scott coach Frank Beamer, Miami coach ormer USC head football coach Butch Davis, current USC offensive coordinator Chuck Reedy and former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz. While McGee refused to comment on the candidates, he did say there are certain qualities foung assis- the prospective coach must possess, i head coach "We hope to have a coach who has a proven level of sueill be grate- cess behind him. One who has the student-athletes' best ited to coach interests in developing a successful program. One that nity to be a would blend in well with the Gamecock family. I think ob viousiy integrity ana a lot 01 otner givens would be lm:oach, Scott portant, but there is no single attribute. Well know it when year, he led we see it," McGee said. victory over He later added that "Division-I head-coaching experience would way heavily in any consideration." dee ? [once No matter who is chosen by the administration to fill n in the his- Scott's shoes, the main criterion of any applicant will be other there, his or her ability to build and maintain a championshipcaliber team. football pro- "We will now focus our attention on the future and Dosted a 6-5 reaching the level of success all Gamecocks aspire to achieve," elow .500 at McGee said. "To strive for anything else would be unac; in the SEC ceptable. We are more determined to have a highly successful program at Carolina, and it will happen."