This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt and two other defensive assistants have been fired two days after the worst defensive performance in Washington history against Baylor in the Alamo Bowl.
After the loss, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said all aspects of his team would be evaluated. It didn't take long to determine an overhaul on defense was needed. The school announced the firing of Holt, linebackers coach Mike Cox and safeties coach Jeff Mills on Saturday. The university says all three had contracts for the 2012 season that will be honored. Holt is to make $650,000.
Washington's 2011 defense was the worst in school history statistically, capped by giving up 67 points and 777 yards to Baylor in a 67-56 loss in the Alamo Bowl.
Holt has been criticized because of Washington's defensive decline and the large salary that accompanied his arrival from Southern California before the 2009 season.
Spurrier near record
Steve Spurrier is one of two football coaches to win 10 games in a season at South Carolina. With a victory against Nebraska on Monday in the Capital One Bowl, he would become the first to win 11 games at a school that has been playing football for 118 seasons.
"We probably mention it every other word, 'Get the 11th win, get the 11th win,' " linebacker Damario Jeffery said. "That's all we talk about right now. We really want it real bad. [Spurrier] probably wants it more than anybody else. That'll be a great thing for his legacy to say he turned the program around."
Joe Morrison coached the Gamecocks to a 10-2 record in 1984.