COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Steve Spurrier wrote a letter to South Carolina fans Tuesday. In it, he said he was doing a "lousy job" and resigned because he knew the school wouldn't fire him.

Spurrier also said that by resigning in October, he saved the school from paying him $3 million as part of a contractual buyout and gave interim coach Shawn Elliott the chance to improve the players' attitudes.

Spurrier's letter was published in The State of Columbia. He mentioned several times how media reports had Elliott bringing energy and enthusiasm to players who had not performed. He suggested twice in the letter that Elliott might have a chance at the permanent job, even though the Gamecocks went 1-5 after Spurrier's resignation.

Spurrier is South Carolina's all-time winningest coach with 86 victories over 10-plus seasons.