Gamecocks expected to name Spurrier coach Tuesday
COLUMBIA, S.C., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- The University of South Carolina scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. EST Tuesday and is expected to announce that Steve Spurrier will become football coach.
The State in Columbia, S.C. reported Spurrier, 59, will replace Lou Holtz, who retired Monday.
The Nashville Tennessean said Spurrier agreed to a multi-year deal worth at least $1.7 million per year.
Earlier, Spurrier withdrew his name from consideration as a candidate for his old job at the University of Florida.
Spurrier left Florida three years ago to become coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins in January 2002. He signed a five-year contract worth $25 million, making him the highest-paid coach in the league. Spurrier left the Redskins after two seasons.
In 12 seasons at Florida, Spurrier was 122-27-1 with 11 straight bowl games, including the 1996 national championship. Before, the 1966 Heisman Trophy winner went 20-13-1 in three seasons at Duke.
Clemson won't go to bowl because of fight
CLEMSON, S.C., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Clemson University officials announced Monday that its football team will not accept a bid for a postseason bowl game.
The decision was made because the Clemson Tigers had a 10-minute fight during the fourth quarter of Saturday's win over South Carolina.
South Carolina (6-5) also announced, on the same day that Coach Lou Holtz retired, that it also would not be going to a bowl.
"I know that this decision is not fair to the clear majority of our players or coaches," Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips said. "But given the circumstances, I believe strongly that it is the right decision so that our university, our student-athletes, supporters and all people that love Clemson know without question what our values are."
Clemson was 6-5 this season, 4-4 in the ACC.
Clemson President James F. Barker endorsed the decision Monday but said the university would take no further action against the athletes involved.
Dick Tharp resigns as AD at Colorado
BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Dick Tharp resigned Monday as athletic director at Colorado, which was rocked this year by allegations of improper football recruiting practices.
The school issued a brief statement, but offered no explanation.
"We accept Athletics Department Director Dick Tharp's resignation," the statement said, according to the Rocky Mountain News. "We would like to thank Dick for his many years of service to this university and we wish him well in his future endeavors."
Tharp was in the middle of the controversy surrounding football Coach Gary Barnett earlier this year.
The newspaper said the football program has been under a cloud since a drunken party Dec. 7, 2001, involving football players, female students, blue-chip prospects, alcohol and sex.
Three women who alleged they were sexually assaulted either at or after the party by football players or recruits later sued the university in federal court, accusing it of fostering a culture that led to the assaults.
Seahawks receiver suspended by NFL
NEW YORK, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Koren Robinson has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Robinson, who has 31 receptions for 495 yards and two TDs, will miss home games against Buffalo and Dallas and road games against Minnesota and the New York Jets. He is eligible to return for the Dec. 26 game against Arizona.
Robinson did not play this past Sunday against Miami. Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren said he was held out because of a violation of team rules.
Artest apologizes but says Stern unfair
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Indianapolis Pacers star Ron Artest says he's sorry for his part in a brawl during a game against Detroit but doesn't think he was treated fairly by the NBA.
Artest, an all-star forward, was suspended for the remainder of the season by NBA Commissioner David Stern. It is the longest non-drug suspension in the league's history.
Eight other players also drew suspensions -- ranging from one to 30 games -- for their actions during the fight, which involved fans, Friday night at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich. Nine people were treated for minor injuries.
A statement from Artest said, "It really hurt me to see the children crying on TV, and I think about how it could have been my own kids. I also regret and apologize to fans who were upset by what happened," the Indianapolis Star reported Monday.
The 25-year-old Artest said he respected Stern "but I don't think that he has been fair with me in this situation."
Stern said the suspensions are without pay. Artest will lose nearly $5.3 million in salary.
Billy Hunter, director of the NBA players' union, said the suspensions were excessive and would be challenged.
