Can I trust you? Are you committed to excellence? Do you care about me?

Coach Holtz reminded the department heads that "we're paid to succeed. We're not paid to try." He also urged them to bridge gaps with the General Assembly, explaining: "You've got to bury any differences because of the greater good of the people of this state who are counting on you."

Coach Holtz later praised the Sanford administration members' commitment to that greater good: "They have a vision of what they want to do and they have an energy and enthusiasm to do it. They're not just trying to maintain something; they're really trying to build something."

Thanks for firing up the governor's team, coach. But don't don't forget to fire up yourself and your Gxamecocks, too.

After all, they -- and you -- ended the 2002 season with a five-game losing streak.