Spurrier finalizes coaching staff

COLUMBIA - Coach Steve Spurrier has completed his coaching staff with the hiring of Tyrone Nix to help coach South Carolina's defense, the athletics department announced Monday.

It took Spurrier, who was hired Nov. 23, less than a month to assemble a coaching staff.

"We're very pleased with the group of coaches we have assembled," Spurrier said. "They are all coaches who really want to be at South Carolina and work to make the Gamecock program successful."

Nix, 32, is credited with building Southern Mississippi's tough defense. He will share defensive coordinator duties with John Thompson, who was hired last week, and coach the defensive line.

"Tyrone has an excellent track record for coaching outstanding defenses, and he is very familiar with John Thompson and Dave Wommack's style of defensive play, as the three of them coached together at Southern Miss," Spurrier said.

"We believe Tyrone is an excellent coach and an excellent recruiter."

Nix coached with Thompson and Wommack, hired as the Gamecocks secondary coach, during his 10 seasons with the Golden Eagles.

GEORGIA: Bulldogs defensive end David Pollack was named a repeat winner of the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's top defensive end.

Pollack, named to The Associated Press All-America team last week, also has won the Lombardi Award as the nation's top college lineman and the Bednarik Trophy and Lott Trophy, each given to the nation's top defensive player, this season. Pollack also was named the Southeastern Conference's Defensive Player of the Year by the AP.

The Hendricks Award recognizes on-field performance, leadership and contributions to school and community.

Pollack had 48 tackles and led the SEC with 9 sacks for No. 8 Georgia this season.

The Hendricks Award is named for former Oakland Raiders defensive end Ted Hendricks.

"Dave is an outstanding player with a lot of football left in his career," Hendricks said. "He is relentless in pursuit of the ball and has an aggressive playing style. If I were to choose a player today to have on my team, it would be David Pollack."

OHIO STATE: Quarterback Troy Smith was suspended for violating team and NCAA rules and will not play in next week's Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma State.

Coach Jim Tressel would not say what Smith did or when the violation occurred.

"Obviously, he feels terrible that he didn't take care of his responsibilities," Tressel said.

Smith led the Buckeyes to a 4-1 record during their final five regular season games, including a 37-21 victory over rival Michigan last month, when he threw for 241 yards and ran for 145 yards.

"I am aware of what is expected, both on and off the field, at Ohio State, and I have fallen short of those expectations," Smith said in a statement released by the school.

The sophomore will not travel with the team to San Antonio when it leaves Wednesday for the Dec. 29 game.

Justin Zwick, also a sophomore, will start for Smith. He had been the starter until he lost the job after mildly separating his left, or non-throwing, shoulder in the sixth game of the season against Iowa.

Overall, Smith played in eight of Ohio State's 11 games this year, completing 68 of 122 passes for 896 yards and eight touchdowns. He was intercepted three times.

He also ran 82 times for 339 yards and two touchdowns.

Athletic director Andy Geiger said the university has petitioned the NCAA to have Smith reinstated for the 2005 season.

TENNESSEE: Senior tailback Jabari Davis will not play in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M because he failed to meet academic requirements.

Davis, who has seen his playing time decrease dramatically this season, has carried only 18 times for 34 yards. He had 587 yards as a sophomore and 565 last season.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer announced Monday that Davis did not meet Southeastern Conference academic requirements for the fall semester.

Receiver Derrick Tinsley and linebacker Marvin Mitchell also were ruled ineligible for the Jan. 1 bowl. Both are injured.

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith was suspended for the Buckeyes' bowl game.