Skip Holtz returns


Skip Holtz did not get the South Carolina job, but the East Carolina coach and former USC assistant might get a crack at the Gamecocks.

ECU is among several schools USC athletics director Eric Hyman is talking to about scheduling future football series.

“I like to play regional games,” Hyman said Wednesday. “Our fans can travel to it. It makes sense.”

Hyman said there is a possibility USC would face Holtz’s squad at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, but indicated it would not be in lieu of a Gamecocks’ home game.

“I really don’t want to take a home game away from Columbia,” he said. “A home game in Columbia is an economic driver for this community.”

Holtz stripped his son of his offensive coordinator’s post and play-calling responsibilities. Less than a year later, Steve Spurrier replaced Lou Holtz in Columbia. Skip Holtz, who received a $480,000 buyout from USC, took over an ECU program that won three games in two seasons under John Thompson.

Attempts to reach Holtz, who is 3-0 against ACC schools at ECU, for comment were unsuccessful. During a December interview, Holtz was asked what it would have been like to face USC last year in the Liberty Bowl had the Pirates won the C-USA crown.

“It would have been interesting. No doubt,” he said. “I don’t know if we’re ready for that level, yet.”