Steve Spurrier to serve as ambassador for South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Steve Spurrier has a new role at South Carolina - special assistant to President Harris Pastides and athletic director Ray Tanner.

Spurrier resigned as football coach last October. He had a contract clause that allowed him to assume such a role if he wanted. Tanner said Spurrier recently accepted the position and has met with donors and boosters at a few basketball games this season.

Spurrier and wife Jerri were on hand Monday night when the second-ranked Gamecocks hosted No. 1 Connecticut in women's hoops.

Spurrier spent 10-plus years in charge of the football program, becoming the winningest coach in school history. However, he stepped away in mid-season this past fall - "I fired myself," Spurrier said - when the Gamecocks struggled.

Will Muschamp took over as coach in December.