Steve Spurrier Taking over Play Calling Is Great Move for South Carolina

South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier announced Tuesday that he will reassume offensive play-calling duties in 2015—a welcome bit of news for all fans of the program.

Last year, when he delegated that responsibility to assistants such as G.A. Mangus and Steve Spurrier Jr., the Gamecocks posted big offensive numbers but struggled in tight situations such as the fourth quarter at Kentucky or the entire game at Clemson.

Next year,  Spurrier will take no such chances.

"I plan to be the play-caller again," Spurrier said Tuesday, according to John Whittle of 247Sports. "I did delegate at times last year but I usually took over before the game was over. I certainly plan on doing it. I’ll be ready to do it and go from there."

Why is this news so promising? Again, it's not like South Carolina struggled to move the ball last season. In fact, it finished with the No. 10 offense in the country, per the F/+ ratings at Football Outsiders.

More than anything, Spurrier's decision to reassume play-calling duties shows commitment and investment in his job. After an offseason filled with rumors about his retirement—rumors that Spurrier helped stoke when he admitted, per Chris Low of ESPN.com, that he considered hanging up his coaching visor after 2014—it shows that he's back for more than just a figurehead role on the sidelines.

He's back to assume even more responsibility. 

This is needed considering what the Gamecocks return at quarterback. South Carolina's offense reached new heights under Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson, but now both quarterbacks are gone, and the roster returns nine career pass attempts: six from sophomore Connor Mitch, three from junior Perry Orth, none from redshirt freshman Michael Scarnecchia and true freshman Lorenzo Nunez.

Credit: 247Sports

Spurrier is one of the best offensive play-callers in college football history, especially when it comes to the passing game. He developed the Fun 'n' Gun offense at Florida and has earned his reputation for putting quarterbacks in positions to succeed.

Mangus, Spurrier Jr. and run game coordinator Shawn Elliott groomed a balanced attack last season, and with Brandon Wilds and David Williams returning in the backfield, they should once again prove vital in dictating the running game. Spurrier admitted as much Tuesday, saying he will still, as always, listen closely to their input.

"Done that ever since I’ve been here," the Head Ball Coach acknowledged, per Whittle. "Suggestions here and there, especially on the run game, at times. But not always. I listen to them, but don’t always go with the suggestions, which is expected."

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

One important note: According to Jerry Hinnen of CBSSports.com, Spurrier made this same play-calling declaration last offseason.

Because of Spurrier's advanced age (70 years old in April), and because he so recently shirked this responsibility, Gamecocks fans must temper their excitement until they see how things play out.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Still, this news is better than no news at all.

"[This] might not be quite as reassuring as if Spurrier was making the same pronouncement in, say, 1997—or even when he arrived in Columbia 10 years ago," wrote Hinnen. "But it's also likely still much, much more reassuring for Gamecock fans stung by the 2014 disappointment than the alternative."

Spurrier laid his fingerprints all over last year's Auburn game plan, when the Gamecocks converted five of six fourth downs and scored 35 points in the first three quarters. They lost that game 42-35, but it was, in many ways, their best offensive performance of the year.

Expect more of the same next season.