Holtz tries to change 'culture'

HOOVER, Ala. - Out of 88 voters at this year's Southeastern Conference Media Days, one lone writer picked South Carolina to win the league outright.

• Photos

Gamecocks coach Lou Holtz has his doubts about his team's sole advocate.

"Must have voted with a crayon," said Holtz, whose team has finished 5-7 each of the past two seasons. "I'd like to know what his logic was."

Then Holtz said he thought the Gamecocks should have been voted sixth - last - in the SEC Eastern Division.

And they go also into the season with more question marks than any team here - namely at quarterback, running back, the secondary and the defensive line.

A defeatist attitude isn't exactly uncharacteristic behavior for the 67-year-old coach.

Neither is his penchant to recycle football phrases, but one mantra has been stricken from his vocabulary.

Gone is the idea that South Carolina is "one play here, one play there" away from being a good team.

"We can't really go back and say we're getting close," Holtz said Thursday.

"We're light years away."

The Gamecocks' distance from the country's elite became cosmic after a 63-17 season-ending loss to Clemson at Williams-Brice Stadium.

"I was as embarrassed as I've ever been with a football team," Holtz said of South Carolina's sixth loss in seven years to its in-state rival.

Holtz began to change things within the program shortly thereafter.

Four assistants, including defensive coordinator Chris Cosh, were fired prior to the start of the recruiting season.

Offensive coordinator Skip Holtz was demoted to quarterbacks coach.

Then, before spring practice began, he altered his relationship with his players.

He started visiting with them in the locker room after each day's practice.

He began teaching a mandatory attendance class each Monday evening geared toward educating players about the means to become successful.

He also relaxed his strict rules on grooming and dress code.

The Gamecocks have certainly noticed a difference in Holtz in his attempt to "change the culture" of football at South Carolina.

"There's definitely a difference," said senior center John Strickland.

But will it translate to a difference on the field?

"I have questions, I have intrepidations," Holtz said, "but I have hope."

Reach Travis Haney at (706) 823-3219 or travis.haney@augustachronicle.com.

Holtz

DOGS ON TOPGeorgia was a lopsided pick to beat defending national champion Louisiana State for the Southeastern Conference championship this season, according to league media at the SEC media days Thursday.EASTERN DIVISION: 1, Georgia (78), 100. 2, Florida (9), 186. 3, Tennessee, 278. 4, South Carolina (1), 375. 5, Vanderbilt, 419. 6, Kentucky, 490.WESTERN DIVISION: 1, LSU (71), 108. 2, Auburn (14), 197. 3, Mississippi (2), 304. 4, Alabama (1), 331. 5, Arkansas, 418. 6, Mississippi St., 490.SEC Champion: Georgia (61), LSU (19), Florida (5), Auburn (1), Mississippi (1), South Carolina (1).