Fansided

South Carolina names Shawn Elliott interim football coach

By Jonathan Bass

Dec 27, 2014; Shreveport, LA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks mascot Cocky leads the band onto the field prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2014 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. South Carolina defeated Miami 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2014; Shreveport, LA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks mascot Cocky leads the band onto the field prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2014 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. South Carolina defeated Miami 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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South Carolina Gamecocks offensive line coach Shawn Elliott will serve as the team’s interim head coach.

The South Carolina Gamecocks have tabbed offensive line coach Shawn Elliott to be the team’s interim head coach for the duration of the 2015 season. Elliott takes over the role from Steve Spurrier, who abruptly resigned on Monday evening.

Elliott is a homegrown product from Cambden, South Carolina (roughly 45 minutes away from Columbia) and has been with the Gamecocks since 2010. Aside from the line, Elliott has been the team’s co-offensive coordinator (alongside Steve Spurrier Jr.) since 2012.  Prior to his time with South Carolina he coached at his alma mater, Appalachian State – a stint that included three consecutive national championships (2005-07).

The interim coach is now tasked with the Herculean task of resurrecting a trying season. South Carolina sits at 2-4 overall and 0-4 in the SEC. The Gamecocks look to get off the conference schneid this Saturday at home against Vanderbilt.

Spurrier’s abrupt departure caps a whirlwind seven days for the Gamecocks program. Due to heavy flooding in the Columbia area, last week’s home game against LSU was moved to Baton Rouge (a decision that wasn’t made until late Wednesday). Facing short travel notice and an overmatched opponent, the Gamecocks fell to the Tigers, 45-24.

Spurrier had been with the Gamecocks since 2005. He’s the program’s winningest coach with 86 victories, and led South Carolina to its most impressive stint of success – three consecutive 11-2 seasons from 2011-13. In 10 years with the Gamecocks, he never recorded a losing record.

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