Spurrier’s past no major concern
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Steve Spurrier swears it makes no difference who’s on the other sideline.
That seems hard to fully believe since few have as deep a love for Gator blue and orange than South Carolina’s head ball coach, also one of Florida’s most famous and beloved players and coaches.
Still, Spurrier says the bachelor’s degree, Heisman Trophy and national title ring he earned in Gainesville hold little significance this week when his Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) take on No. 1 Florida (9-0, 7-0) Saturday.
It’s a hard case to make, particularly with Spurrier’s legacy so tightly linked to The Swamp.
“The fact he’s a great football coach and his record is one of the best in college football history, that has as much to do with the fact he’s a great Gator on top of that,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said.
Meyer knew he’d have to tackle Spurrier’s shadow quickly after joining Florida in December 2004. Spurrier was the school’s first Heisman winner in 1966 and led the Gators to their first national crown 30 years later.
So Meyer called Spurrier, who’d accepted the South Carolina job only weeks before, and found a gracious, welcoming colleague who wished him the best – except for one SEC game a season.
“He knows how I feel about him, he knows how I feel about his resume,” said Meyer, who considers Spurrier a friend.
Spurrier says the emotional tug of the game has lessened over time. So there won’t be a twinge of feeling watching his former team on the sidelines?
“No, I don’t think so,” Spurrier said.
Spurrier acknowledged his past factored into the 2005 game when he faced Florida for the first time. After that, though, it has been “these are my guys here (at South Carolina) and really we’re trying to find some plays and give ourselves a chance to stay on the field, make some first downs.”
Few did that as well as Spurrier as Florida quarterback and coach.
Spurrier was a brash, good-looking kid who grew up in Tennessee when he arrived at Florida in the early 1960s. By the time he left in 1966, Spurrier owned most every passing record the Gators had and won the Heisman. He also endeared himself to Florida fans with his supercharged, win-at-all-costs demeanor. Spurrier’s 40-yard field goal to beat Auburn 30-27 that year stands as Gator legend.
Spurrier enhanced his aura during 12 highly successful seasons as Florida coach that changed college football. Not only couldn’t opponents catch up to Spurrier’s passing schemes, rival coaches couldn’t keep up with the ball coach’s verbal jabs. The result was six SEC, a national championship in 1996 and a swagger that clings to the program today.
Spurrier remains a respected figure at Florida. Tim Tebow says the two speak before games and at Heisman gatherings.