South Carolina fires safeties coach Jeep Hunter

Published Jan. 27, 2012 4:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has fired the Gamecocks safeties coach.

Spurrier said in a statement Friday that he told Jeep Hunter he would not be retained because the thought the team needed a more experienced coach for its defensive backs.

Hunter just finished his third season with South Carolina, but his first on the defensive side of the ball. Spurrier hired Hunter in 2009 to coach tight ends.

The Gamecocks now have lost four assistants from last year's team that set a school record with 11 wins. Assistant coach in charge of defense Ellis Johnson left to become head coach at Southern Miss, running backs and tight ends coach Jay Graham left for Tennessee and special teams coordinator John Butler is heading to Penn State.