Steve Spurrier Criticizes Local Sportswriters in Postgame Press Conference

After the South Carolina Gamecocks' narrow 19-14 win over the Florida Gators on Saturday, head coach Steve Spurrier voiced his displeasure toward local newspaper writers who had suggested that the Gamecocks could run up the score against the Gators earlier in the week.

In Spurrier's postgame press conference, the head ball coach went into a rant about how the local sportswriters "don't help" the Gamecocks out on the field.  

This isn't Spurrier's first run-in with the local beat writers in Columbia. In 2011, Spurrier was angered when Ron Morris, a columnist for a local paper, wrote that Spurrier lured South Carolina's gridiron and hardwood star Bruce Ellington away from the basketball team, per Travis Haney of the Post and Courier. 

In that incident, Spurrier said that he would no longer grant interviews with Morris in the room. 

Then earlier this season, Spurrier reportedly got Morris kicked off the South Carolina football beat at the State, where Morris works. Jim Romenesko later reported that Morris, via a memo passed around the State, indicated that Morris was in fact allowed to write about the football program. 

Spurrier has never been one to hold back on how he feels. Earlier this year, he was upset when South Carolina star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney chose not to suit up for a game. But after a change of heart, Spurrier came to Clowney's defense and shot down reports of him doubting his player's drive and motivation, per Chris Low of ESPN. 

With the win against Florida, the Gamecocks completed their SEC season with a 6-2 record. They have a head-to-head advantage over the Missouri Tigers, but the Tigers have just one loss in SEC play. So for the Gamecocks to head to Atlanta to play in the SEC title game, Missouri will have to lose one more game.