COLUMBIA, S.C. - The executive committee of the University of South Carolina's Board of Trustees will meet Saturday afternoon at the Colonial Center amid talk of a reworked contract to keep Steve Spurrier with the Gamecocks.<br>
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All the university said Friday was the committee would discuss a contractual matter connected to the athletic department. University spokesman Russ McKinney would not confirm what the meeting was about Spurrier or if it involved the football program.<br>
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The meeting was scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. the same time South Carolina's men's basketball game with Clemson tips off. Spurrier plans to be at the game too, entertaining several prospects.<br>
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Should a deal be approved, it could once and for all end the whispers of Spurrier leaving South Carolina that have cropped up the past two weeks first at Miami and most recently at Alabama.<br>
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Spurrier has continually shot down the rumors, saying he wants to win a Southeastern Conference championship with the Gamecocks. Spurrier reportedly told his players at a previously scheduled team meeting this week that he was not going anywhere.<br>
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After reports about the Miami job surfaced on Nov. 19, Spurrier asked reporters where the information came from. ``Was that the president, the AD or just some guy sleeping under the bridge down there?'' he said.<br>
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Spurrier issued a statement Monday about his intention to stay at South Carolina.<br>
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``It's always flattering when a South Carolina coach is rumored for these big time programs. This one will die down in two or three days, too,'' he said.<br>
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The past few days, University President Andrew Sorensen has repeatedly told fans, alumni and school leaders that Spurrier planned to remain at the school. Sorensen calmed worried supporters at a tree planting ceremony on campus and at a gathering of about 500 people of the St. Andrews Society in Charleston.<br>
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Spurrier is 14-10 in two seasons at South Carolina. Despite going 3-5 in the SEC this year Spurrier's first losing league mark ever Spurrier said he was excited about the direction the Gamecocks were going.<br>
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Spurrier was given a seven-year contract worth about $1.25 million when he was hired in November 2004. His compensation package increased to about $1.3 million because of incentives reached during his 7-5 mark in 2005.<br>
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With the Gamecocks final two victories, including a 31-28 win over Clemson that was their first victory at Death Valley since 1996, Spurrier became the first South Carolina coach to take his team to a bowl game in each of his first two seasons.<br>
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The Gamecocks will learn Sunday which bowl game they will go to.
