April 15, 2005

Spurrier and Fulmer trade barbs

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was discussing the latest criminal charges against one of his players (charges that were dropped 2 days after they were filed) when he brought back memories of his last experience as a coach in the SEC:

“This was not a full-blown fight. If you want to read about some full-blown fights, read about the Tennessee players, not our guys,” said Spurrier, referring to the five Tennessee players who have been charged with assault since January.

Spurrier was referring to the arrests of 4 Volunteers this week and the 11 Tennessee players who have been arrested since February 2004.

UT Coach Phillip Fulmer quickly responded:

Fulmer was ready with a retort Thursday when reporters in Knoxville asked about Spurrier’s remark.

“He needs to take care of his own house and leave mine to me,” Fulmer said. “He’s got plenty of issues over there I’m sure to deal with. (...) I don’t give a ... one way or the other what anybody says except the people that count.”

Fulmer was asked whether Spurrier’s comment made it seem like old times in the SEC.

“That doesn’t bother me one bit,” Fulmer said. “He’s got plenty to do, I’m sure. Maybe it rained that day and he didn’t get to play golf. I don’t know.”

It's obvious that Fulmer was referring to the 9 Gamecock players arrested (and one dismissed for reportedly failing a drug test) since the 2004 season ended.

Spurrier was told of Fulmer's response:

An amused Spurrier laughed Thursday when told of Fulmer’s swipe at Spurrier’s golfing hobby.

“I like ol’ Phil. Phil’s alright,” Spurrier said. “He’s a good guy. We get along fine.”

More from Spurrier via an article in The State:

“Sometimes a little publicity’s good, I believe, and I’m glad (Fulmer) said something,” Spurrier said. “I’m glad he’s listening to us. In the past, I don’t think he’d worry about what a South Carolina coach said, do you?”

Spurrier said the negative publicity surrounding his program’s spate of off-the-field problems — nine current or former players arrested and another dismissed for a second failed drug test since January — prompted him to bring up Tennessee. The Vols have had 11 players either arrested or cited in the past 13 months, including four assault arrests this week.

“If you want to see about fighting, (Fulmer) has had 11 of them,” said Spurrier, overestimating the number of fights the Vols have been involved in.

“I just wanted people to know we’re not the worst bunch of guys in the country,” Spurrier added, “although we’re portrayed as right now a little bit.”

The two teams face off October 29 in Knoxville. The Gamecocks have won once against the Volunteers since S.C. joined the SEC and that was in 1992.