Spurrier’s ‘three (smoking) pots and you’re out’ comment consistent with USC policy

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier’s “three (smoking) pots and you’re out” comment on the “Mike and Mike” ESPN radio show on Tuesday morning created a firestorm on the internet, but it is consistent with the USC athletic department’s drug policy.

Spurrier made the comment after talking with the radio hosts about his policy when Gamecocks players are involved in domestic violence. He said if a player “hits or punches” a girl one time, he will be dismissed from the program.

He followed that up by saying if players smoke pot one time, “they get a lecture, but three pots and you're out."

Spurrier was at ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol along with other SEC coaches, including new Florida coach Jim McElwain who gave Spurrier a lift on the University of Florida plane.

According to the athletics department’s drug and alcohol testing policy, the first positive test for an athlete results in counseling, increased testing and a notification of parents or guardians. The second positive test leads to all three of those measures and suspension from 25 percent of athletics competition. The third positive test leads to dismissal.

Drug testing policies vary at other SEC schools.

John Kasik, the Gamecocks’ director of sports medicine, oversees the athletics department’s drug and alcohol testing policy.

Athletes who test positive are referred to Dr. Timothy Malone, the athletics department ’s director of wellness and a psychiatrist. Malone decides if further rehabilitation is warranted, Kasik told The State in an earlier story.

Drug and alcohol testing was put in place as a deterrent, Kasik said.

The testing screens for everything from street drugs to alcohol to prescription drugs. Even athletes who are of legal drinking age are tested for alcohol.

"If you are 21 years old or 22 years old and you show up and you fail an alcohol test at seven in the morning, there’s a good chance you have a problem, so then we’re going to get you help," Kasik said.

Testing is random.

Spurrier said he had dismissed two players for domestic abuse since he has been at USC.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 11:44 AM.