With the sounds coming from the USC practice fields of coaches screaming, and athlete’s scrambling to get it right, you would think that it was late August, not early June. But a quick check of the thermometer sets the record straight.
Sweat was the prominent product for the football campers and coaches alike. The stifling heat rose above 90 degrees, as the recruits put all efforts into either solidifying their early reputations, or trying to make a name for themselves.
Right in the middle of it all was the Gamecocks head football coach, Steve Spurrier. While most head coaches make quick cameos before and/or after the mini-camps, especially the big name coaches, the Head Ball Coach had been there every minute of each camp.
What’s more, he isn’t up in some tower, overlooking the entire process. SOS was right there in the mix of the drills, showing by example and teaching the young prospects exactly how they should do it.
He brings something to the table few other head coaches can, the time and experience of playing the quarterback position at its highest level. He won the Heisman Trophy as the all-everything quarterback at the University of Florida in 1966. So, when the ole ball coach jumps in and actually shows his guys how to do it, they pay strict attention.
He hasn’t just done it on the field, either. He won six conference championships and the 1996 national championship as a head coach.
So you will have to excuse my bewilderment, over a few short weeks ago, when newspaper, magazine and internet articles came out everywhere proclaiming that Steve Spurrier was ready to hang it up, because he had handed off the play calling duties to his son, Steve Spurrier Jr.
I read article after article, where the writers would state that “The Ole Ball Coach was close to hanging it up.” They wrote these ridiculous statements, even after he had said many times that he was doing this to allow him more time to work specifically with his offense, and especially with the quarterbacks.
He also gave a stable of reasoning, anchored by the fact that Steve Jr. had coached with him for more than 11 years, and knew exactly, by this point, what he wanted to do offensively.
Coach Spurrier also spoke in detail about having to work extensively with the defense and the special teams last season, and how he looked up one day and realized that he was doing everything. It was at that point, that he understood how it caused his offense to suffer.
So he made all of the necessary corrections during the offseason, in hiring arguably the best Special Teams Coordinator in the nation, coach Ray Rychleski. He also made an excellent hire in Defensive Coordinator Ellis Johnson, to oversee his defenders.
Having competent coaches to oversee the play calling, special teams and the defense will give coach Spurrier plenty of time to work expansively with his offense.
But if any of you guys have any doubts as to who is going to be running the Gamecock offense, you need only to take a quick look out on the practice fields over the last couple of minicamps.
It is very evident that the Head Ball Coach still loves coaching up close and personal, and he is nowhere near ready to just sit out on the front porch.
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
CrimsonTusks.com about 1 year ago
Nice work. Nothing better than the turn of a phrase!
Two comments.
One, I would question calling Ellis Johnson and "excellent hire."
Two, the future, unforeseeable, is going to be a power struggle in Columbia between Andy Sorenson and SOS. It will not sit well with Spurrier and it's going to be a situation where it's one or the other. I know "Bow Tie Andy" very well and it wasn't something I would wish on any sports program.
Terry
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usc01 about 1 year ago
To RollTideBama, Pres Sorenson is retiring at the end of this month, so there will be no power struggle. As a Carolina fan I expect anywhere from 9-3 to 8-4 this season.
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David Wunderlich about 1 year ago
Spurrier said many times during his tenure at Florida that didn't see himself coaching much past 60. He's now 63. You've got 2, maybe 3 years left and then he's off to the links for good.
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
That was a long time ago that he said that.
As recently as one month ago, SOS said he was in it for the long haul at SC. The guy is a competitor, and until he's had enough time, I can't see him walking away.
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David Fancher about 1 year ago
The reason he came to Carolina was because he got tired of playing golf all the time. He said you can only play so much golf...He was itchin' to come back and coach football again and I'm glad he did.
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snoop cockycock about 1 year ago
well, rolltide, only time will truly tell if the ellis johnson hire is an excellent one or not. but i based my opinion on the moves he has already made on defense this spring, which will put more of our talent on the field at the same time. either way, with the talent and depth we have coming back on defense, he is going to look like a genius anyway, rather he is or not. and with coach spurrier being able to concentrate solely on his offense, they will look much better than anyone will expect over the first four or five games. by then it will be evident, and common knowledge.
i hope all of the huff and puff from bama fans over the last year or so, isn't just a bunch of hot air. i hope that saban is all that and a bag a chips, at least for your first game of the season. i hope you guys come out and absolutely beat the hell out of clemscum. i will be your biggest cheerleader. i want the tide to embarrass cu. but if you don't, my next post to you will not be so benevolent!
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