COLUMBIA, S.C. — A person close to the situation says South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has told his players that he is retiring, effective immediately.

The person says the 70-year-old coach told his players Monday night. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because South Carolina has not publicly announced Spurrier’s decision.

The Gamecocks are 2-4 and 0-4 in the Southeastern Conference for the first time in Spurrier’s 23 seasons coaching in the league at Florida and South Carolina.