Fogler Out Of UNC Picture

South Carolina basketball coach Eddie Fogler has withdrawn his name from consideration for the North Carolina coaching job, saying he wants to continue working with his improving Gamecock team.

In a statement released Friday, Fogler said he had spoken with North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour about the Tar Heels job, but decided the timing was not right to leave South Carolina.

"I'm excited about the upcoming season and our program here at the University of South Carolina," said Fogler, a former North Carolina player and assistant coach. "Last year's team showed great improvement in February and at the SEC tournament, and we look forward to building on that momentum."

The announcement came the day after Kansas coach Roy Williams turned down the Tar Heels, which came open last week when North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge announced his retirement.

Speculation centered around Williams from the beginning, but Fogler was one of a handful of coaches also mentioned as possible successors.

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