ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier wished his former defensive coordinator well Tuesday and hoped it was a change that would work for all involved.

Tyrone Nix, Spurrier's defensive coordinator the past three seasons, left for Ole Miss to work with its newly hired coach, Houston Nutt as the team's defensive coordinator.

''Tyrone Nix is a good person, a wonderful family man and an outstanding football coach,'' Spurrier said in a statement. ''We wish him the very best at Ole Miss except when they play the Gamecocks.''

The Gamecocks travel to Mississippi for a game Oct. 4.

Spurrier would not take questions about Nix's departure, athletic spokesman Steve Fink said.

Nix had interviewed for the head coaching job at his alma mater, Southern Miss, but withdrew his name from consideration last week.