Spurrier gets extra year on contract

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has been given another year to build the Gamecocks football program.

The university's Board of Trustees approved a one-year contract extension for Spurrier on Monday, taking him through the 2013 season. His salary will remain $1.75 million.

The Gamecocks went 7-5 this season and begin practice Tuesday to play Connecticut in the PapaJohns.com Bowl on Jan. 2 in Birmingham, Ala.

Spurrier says upcoming recruits and the young core of players currently on the team can help him finally achieve his goal of getting South Carolina to the SEC title game for the first time.

Spurrier is 35-27 in five season with the Gamecocks after going 142-40-2 in 15 seasons with Duke and Florida.