Columbia, SC (WLTX) - On his weekly call in show Thursday, USC Head Coach Steve Spurrier expressed his displeasure with a reporter.

While he didn't mention him by name, it was clear Spurrier was  referring to The State Newspaper columnist Ron Morris

Spurrier has had a problem with Morris since at least last season, and Spurrier was upset over recent columns written about him. One of the column questioned Spurrier's decision to play Connor Shaw in the UAB game.

Here's part of what Spurrier had to say:

"As all of us know, one of the local writers wrote another nasty article last week actually very negative, critical toward me, slandered my name, my integrity. The guy's trying to tarnish and ruin my reputation as a coach and that's okay. I don't dislike this guy. I really don't. Because we call know who the guy is and that's the kind of person he is. I have a problem that we give him a platform for him to voice his slander toward me. But I think some change is coming, Todd [Ellis, Spurrier's partner on the call-in-show], I really do. And I told my wife the other day after the last article, I said I've had it. I've had enough. I'm not going to take it anymore. I've had enough."

In additional statements during his comment, Spurrier said that USC President Harris Pastides and Athletics Director Ray Tanner were in support of him.

A spokesperson for the university said Dr. Pastides has not spoken with the State about Morris.

Tanner, though, released this statement late Friday.

"I have engaged in several conversations with The State newspaper regarding the situation between Coach Spurrier and Ron Morris.  Coach Spurrier has my total support in this matter. I believe, as he does, that his reputation and integrity have come under attack. We believe the criticism brought on Coach Spurrier has crossed the line to where it has become personal in nature, and that is unacceptable."

Morris said late Friday he was headed to Kentucky to cover the Gamecocks' game in Lexington. The State Newspaper said it had no comment when asked about the story.