If athletes are denied, Hyman can appeal to Becker, who makes his decision with input from Sorensen, McKinney said.

Spurrier said he "begged and pleaded" with Becker two years ago to admit a pair of players, who started for the Gamecocks last season. Spurrier said this year the committee accepted one of three football players. He did not identify the player.

"In my opinion, we made a mistake in doing this. I'm not criticizing the president. He said we're going to change how we do it. But for our credibility - mine and the coaching staff - I just want the high school coaches, the parents of players and all them to know - that that's not going to happen here if I continue to be the coach," said Spurrier, who agreed to a contract extension last year that gave him a $500,000 raise and keeps him at USC through the 2012 season.

"I plan on being the coach here a long time. We can have a heckuva big-time college football program here at South Carolina if we want to do things the right way," Spurrier added. "Hopefully, and I truly believe this is the last year this is going to happen because I can't operate like that. I can't operate misleading young men."