5 Coaches Who Should Follow Steve Spurrier and Finally Join Twitter
Monday was monumental as far as college football offseason standards go. Why, you ask?
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, one of the most quotable coaches anywhere, joined Twitter.
And because media folks are addicted to Twitter, this was a big deal. Also, it's March.
Either way, that got Dan Wolken of USA Today thinking: With so many coaches (or athletic department interns) on Twitter, which prominent ones aren't? The list has to be small, right? For reference, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has more than 238,000 Twitter followers and a fairly decent presence, according to Tennessee assistant AD Jason Yellin (h/t Darren Rovell, ESPN.com).
Now that Spurrier is finally on Twitter, which five coaches need to follow his lead? And what would they tweet? We give important answers ahead.
Bill Snyder
1 of 5
Why He Should Join Twitter
Big 12 beat reporters should agree—Kansas State coach Bill Snyder is an underrated quote machine. He talks at great lengths and at low volumes, which makes it easy to skim over what he says. For those who pay attention, though, Snyder drops sound-bite gold.
A personal favorite came during last year's Big 12 Media Days when Snyder was asked about his expectations for the upcoming season. His answer: "My degree of optimism is negotiated daily," via CoachingSearch.com's Chris Vannini.
The point being is that Snyder very much has a personality. The fact that he's not sharing that personality 140 characters at a time is borderline criminal. He has too much wisdom with wit to boot.
What He Would Tweet (If He Did)
"@BillSnyder: Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time -- Thomas Edison"
"@BillSnyder: Had a beefy 5 layer burrito from @tacobell last night. Need to stay sharp for long nights watching film. #riseandgrind"
"@BillSnyder: I'm not mad at you, @OU_CoachStoops. I'm just disappointed."
Nick Saban
2 of 5
Why He Should Join Twitter
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is easily one of the best coaches in college football, if not the best. Why, then, as the face of sport, is he not on social media?
"I've never considered joining Twitter, nor do I know why anybody would," Saban told Andrew Gribble of AL.com in 2013.
Okay.
In fairness, Saban is the king of saying a lot without really saying anything. That alone would be reason for him not to join. On the other hand, he can be blunt and moody enough to fit perfectly into Twitter's snarky underworld. Maybe minimalist thought and lack of nuance are the perfect ways to bring out Saban's personality.
What He Would Tweet (If He Did)
"@RTR_CoachSaban: Practices this week were suboptimal. Definitely not [100 emoji] #RollTide "
"@RTR_CoachSaban: .@Lane_Kiffin need to see you in my office asap. Bring your things. #RollTide"
"@RTR_CoachSaban: There is no QB controversy in our program. Guys are competing hard. Embarrassed 'media' would even ask. #RollTide"
Dabo Swinney
3 of 5
Why He Should Join Twitter
Are you kidding me? Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has been exchanging not-so-subtle jabs with Spurrier for years. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced Twitter was not created to be a social medium where things are shared, but rather as a virtual MMA cage for verbal lashings.
If Spurrier is going to join Twitter, Dabo has to as well. As Jean Girard of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby once said, "God needs the devil. The Beatles needed the Rolling Stones. Even Diane Sawyer needed Katie Couric."
Will you be Spurrier's Katie Couric, Dabo?
What He Would Tweet (If He Did)
"@COACH_DABO: GOOD MORNING #TIGERNATION IT'S 5 A.M. BEEN UP SINCE 2 JUST HAD A GREAT WORKOUT READY FOR ANOTHER DAY AT THE BEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY DEATH"
"@COACH_DABO: VALLEY SOUTH CAROLINA!!!!!!1"
"@COACH_DABO: LOL RT @SC_HBC: Come out and support @GamecockBasebll today at 4 o'clock vs the team from the upstate. Ill be there"
"@COACH_DABO: WELCOME TO TWITTER @SC_HBC #35-17
Jimbo Fisher
4 of 5
Why He Should Join Twitter
Technically, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has a Twitter account. Or, at least, that's what this "official page" says. He's followed by some well-known media members as well, for what it's worth.
But to say Fisher has a Twitter presence is simply incorrect. The account says he joined in May 2009, but he has yet to tweet anything.
Now is as good a time as any, Jimbo.
The question would be whether Fisher's quick-talking ways would translate to the social media world. The answer, I believe, is yes.
What He Would Tweet (If He Did)
"@fsucoachfisher: hey @cbrennansports @nytimes why dont you guys get ur facts straight before publishing hearsay about our program cc: 'journalists' #gonoles"
"@fsucoachfisher: @DanWolken hey buddy heard you were #talkinboutthenoles
"@fsucoachfisher: sup @TomahawkNation keep up the good work! #FSUTwitter"
Frank Beamer
5 of 5
Why He Should Join Twitter
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is one of the nicest guys in the coaching business. In that sense, a medium that promotes such anger and trolling may not be for him.
But there's potential yet. Beamer has always showed a willingness to open up, so a personal Twitter account documenting his daily occurrences might be all right. Whether it's taking in a college hoops game or live-tweeting, there's plenty of opportunity for Beamer to become one of America's favorite tweeters.
What He Would Tweet (If He Did)
"@VTCoachBeamer: Congrats to @OSUCoachMeyer on the win but that sort of makes us national champions right?"
"@VTCoachBeamer: Headed to overtime against Wake Forest! Real battle of want-to right now! #beamerball #goacc "
"@VTCoachBeamer: At the #Hokies basketball game. Having a great time. Granddaughter not so much."
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand. All tweets featured are very, very fake.
.jpg?w=480 "Browns Football")
