University of South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier appeared re-energized after leading the Gamecocks to their best season in history. The team posted an 11-2 record that ended with a dominant 30-13 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl.
The Gamecocks finished a season ranked in the top 10 or the first time in school history in what may be Spurrier's most impressive coaching job in his historic career. He benched fifth-year senior starting quarterback Stephen Garcia following the fifth game of the season and dismissed Garcia from the team 10 days later. Spurrier not only inserted sophomore quarterback Connor Shaw into the lineup, but tailored the USC offense to fit his strength as the team moved to a read-option attack in order to take advantage of his ability to run the...