April 25, 2006
Spurrier: We can't compete
Sounds like Spurrier is trying to temper some of the exuberance of South Carolina football fans:
Upon further review, Steve Spurrier says South Carolina football is not in position to challenge for the Southeastern Conference championship every season. It does not have the athletes, facilities or fan support to consistently match Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
Yep, tempering expectations...and hitting the stump for donations. Hey, USC needs that cafeteria.
Comments:
Martin said:
posted on April 26, 2006 3:47 AM — 68.35.200.69 — link — abuse?
South Carolina doesn't have the FAN SUPPORT?!?!?! I'm sorry, doesn't South Carolina hold the record for consecutive sell-outs??? With multiple losing seasons?!?! Way to go and open your mouth Spurrier. Way to be yourself. Way to slap the face of the most loyal fan base in College Football. First he pops in vintage '95 Florida Football tapes to show his team what they're doing wrong, and now this.
Here's a clue Mr. Spurrier, Athletes, hmmm... recruiting= your job. Facilities, hmmm... money= your job. You were supposed to bring in the athletes, you were supposed to bring in the money, so stop blaming everyone around you. Way to make things tougher for your program. If you want your fans to know change won't happen over night then just say so. This is begining to look like the Redskins Spurrier all over again. "It's not my fault the system ain't working." Boy, what an a**hole.
sb said:
posted on April 26, 2006 1:27 PM — 216.187.246.130 — link — abuse?
Wow, Martin... hit a nerve? SOS is the best you'll find, period. He doesn't do anything without a reason. If he needs capital improvements to be successful, recruit, impress recruits, whatever. He was hired to do a job. If you don't let him do it then don't be ticked if you don't like the result.
And how is he supposed to bring in money other than doing what he is doing? Its not coming out of his pocket. You ask your boosters... if they aren't poneying up, how are they a booster?
You cock fans that cannot see the windfall you have received with SOS as your headcoach don't deserve him and will only moan harder when he's gone.
And comparing college to pro doesn't help bolster your rant.
Martin said:
posted on April 27, 2006 12:02 AM — 68.35.200.69 — link — abuse?
sb,
My whole point is that this statement is contrary to any positive job he could do there. Telling your team they can't compete will render a team that doesn't compete. A team has to have its coach's faith to be successful. He just revealed he doesn't have that faith. Bringing in money is a result of success and the promise of success. This statement is too bleak for that purpose as well. If he wants more financial support, talk to the boosters personally, win bowl games. Don't go public with a statement which will embaress yourself, your institution, program, AND FANS. Especially when you have fans as loyal as SC's.
Brian said:
posted on April 27, 2006 12:15 PM — 199.88.23.150 — link — abuse?
Well Steve sure knows how to pick'em doesn't he? I mean, he is a good college coach and one day he could be the best, but a statement like that will certainly be used against him by Clemson, Georgia and Tennessee. No doubt Phillip Fulmer always has it printed and taped to his office door in Knoxville. South Carolina has talent. I mean they did play pretty good down the stretch, but still have yet to win one from Tommy Bowden over in Clemson....
Anthony said:
posted on April 27, 2006 12:45 PM — 199.4.166.183 — link — abuse?
I don't think you guys are parsing these statements correctly. He said that recruits will be more motivated by big and splashy. The stadium bling is what sells these kids, most of whom are into that stuff. First impressions are lasting and I agree with the OBC. GO COCKS!!
Martin said:
posted on April 28, 2006 4:54 AM — 68.35.200.69 — link — abuse?
Anthony,
Don't get me wrong, I grew up loving SC (though I ended up a Nole), I don't disagree that a new facility is important. Just the words "Can't Compete" are never in good taste for a Head Football Coach. And neither is insulting your fan base, when it is as loyal as SC's.
chad said:
posted on April 28, 2006 2:05 PM — 168.9.212.7 — link — abuse?
Steve Spurrier is one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. SC was predicted to win maybe 3 or 4 games all last season, and he ended up beating Florida for the first time in about 80 years, and Tennessee for the first time ever in Knoxville. With a bunch of offensive talent coming back this season I have all the faith in the world in the Ole' Ball Coach. Whenver he does something he does it for a reason, and recruiting shouldn't be that hard with a name that still lingers in every high school recruits dreams of playing big-time ball.
So Cal Clippers said:
posted on April 28, 2006 6:23 PM — 204.62.104.215 — link — abuse?
Chad, slow down there... So Carolina was "predicted" to Beat Florida - atleast by one reputable source: College Football News.
And also, So Carl had a crap-bag-Tennessee on their 2005 schedule too; which wasnt "predicted" to be as toothless as they turned out to be (even Vandy beat Tenny on the Road!).
Sruppie has won 1 Title, not even close to "One of the Greatest". Get off the guy's D.Murph said:
posted on April 29, 2006 4:27 AM — 68.51.223.185 — link — abuse?
This is all a ploy to get USC fans and players motivated to do their respective jobs. The Gamecock fan base is notoriously loyal (the team has a ~.500 record in over 100 years of football, and they still sell out the stadium every year), but Spurrier wants facilities like Florida's, Georgia's or Tennessee's so that he can close the recruiting gap. So, to the players, he says, "No one else believes in you," (to foster an "us against the world" mentality, and spring an upset or two on the basis of sheer emotion), and to the fan base he says, "cough it up." If I were the head coach at South Carolina, I'd do the same thing. A couple of breakthrough seasons, a few great recruiting classes and he could go down as the greatest coach in the history of a second SEC East school. But time is short. He's not 40 years old anymore. Mark Richt and Phil Fulmer aren't going away anytime soon. SOS had better win soon, or the train will have left the station. Hence the shock treatment approach.
BTW, I think the Cocks have a very favorable schedule this season--could win 9 or 10 games and go to a New Year's Day bowl game. The Georgia and Clemson games are the pivotal ones this season. If they can jump those two big hurdles (and they get the Dawgs early, with an unsettled QB situation, in Columbia), it could be Spurrier's first breakthrough year.
Marc said:
posted on April 30, 2006 12:44 PM — 66.77.171.251 — link — abuse?
Watched Steve S for many years while he coached at Florida, believe me he knows how to WIN. Can be quite blunt and to the point at times, but it is not without a game plan. South Carolina is very fortnute to have such a good football coach.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on May 2, 2006 4:18 AM — 72.154.143.106 — link — abuse?
Spurrier is discovering the vast difference between the fan base, facilities, and recruiting advantages he had at Florida, versus South Carolina. South Carolina will never be a Florida. USC has always been a tough sell to recruits even with a big name coach. Lou Holtz couldn't win there, and neither will Spurrier.
Rooster Louie said:
posted on May 2, 2006 1:22 PM — 66.191.219.31 — link — abuse?
Gatorpilot: "S.C. will never be a Florida"..LOL!
BASKETBALL:
Question- What team in America beat the National Champion Florida Gators 2 out of 3 games? (and BTW, that one loss was by a basket and we had a shot at the buzzer).Answer- U.S.C.
Wed 01/25/06 USC 68 - UF 62
Wed 02/08/06 USC 71 - UF 67
Sun 03/12/06 USC 47 - UF 49 (SEC Tourny)FOOTBALL:
Question- Who is the only coach at U.S.C. to beat UF in an SEC football game? (With a team considered to be very young and inexperienced.)Answer- Steve Spurrier
BASEBALL:
Question- USC vs. UF 2006?Answer-
Fri., March 24 U.S.C. 4 Florida 1
Sat., March 25 U.S.C. 6-Florida 5
Sun., March 26 U.S.C. 21-Florida 4WOMEN'S BASKETBALL:
Question- USC vs. UF
Answer- Sun 02/12/06 USC 81 - UF 63Congratulation on your National Championship in Basketball!
I always pull for fellow SEC members when they're playing out of conference.
james said:
posted on May 2, 2006 1:46 PM — 24.119.236.246 — link — abuse?
steve spurrier is just calling it like he sees it.he is not saying that they cant win. they can win.he saying that the way things are now they cant win all the time like he wants them to win.steve spurrier is trying to change south carolina football.south carolina football was broke when spurrier came. but if south carolina will buy into what he is saying they can become a championship team.and trust me steve spurrier knows how to win championships.look at that sec record. he is the second greatest sec coach to walk a sidline.the only name i can say is better is paul bear bryant.so south carolina needs to listen to steve spurrier if they want to get the greates feeling they have had in long time and that is winning championships.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on May 2, 2006 5:11 PM — 72.154.143.106 — link — abuse?
Rooster Louie - get real. A win in football for USC against UF is about as rare as pigs flying. Enjoy that fluke while it lasts. Spurrier or not, USC will never compete with UF year in and year out in that sport. Basketball-wise USC is a tough matchup for Florida, as the grind-it-out style game seems to be tough for us right now. Nonetheless you got us at the "low point" when we had two starters injured. The main thing was we won the SEC Tourney in the process of knocking ya'll out, and, oh yeah, that little national basketball championship you mentioned.
At the end of the day it takes a reality check. USC ain't ever gonna be a Florida. It just isn't going to happen. USC has a long tradition of bringing in coaches who've been able to win elsewhere, but not at USC. There's a reason for that. Spurrier's just starting to figure that out... remember his complaints about the fan turnout at the spring game? I believe ya'll had around 5,000 or so. At UF we had 45,000+ for our spring scrimmage. It's a religion down here.
USC looked tough in the NIT. Ya'll should have been in the NCAA tournament. Balkman has been a heck of a lot of fun to watch, I hope he doesn't go pro.
Jeff Faller said:
posted on May 3, 2006 10:03 AM — 138.162.128.45 — link — abuse?
You know what it's ok all of you people can say what you want, because I am a die hard Gamecock fan and that will never change till the day I die. Everyone always likes to hate on our boys and say they will never be good, but we'll see who's laughing in the end. I truly believe this program is finally headed in the right direction finally. So go on keep talkin trash and when my Gamecocks smash all of your teams faces in the white chalked lines. Then we'll be doing this blogs on your team. Semper Fi and GO GAMECOCKS!
Chrös said:
posted on May 3, 2006 12:11 PM — 128.206.56.24 — link — abuse?
I lost any respect for Spurrier at last year's Independence Bowl. His team, which was far superior, lost a 21 point lead and then he refused to take most of the credit in the press conference. I have no reason to believe South Carolina is going to be a power in the SEC anytime soon.
Regan said:
posted on May 3, 2006 2:41 PM — 24.168.240.63 — link — abuse?
First, the facts:
Tennessee did lose to Vanderbilt - for the first time since 1982 - barely.
South Carolina did beat Tennessee at Tennessee - for the first time since 1992 - by one point.
Tennessee did have a 5-6 season - they were 8 points away from an 8-3 season and 17 points away from a 9-2 season.
Now for the opinions:
The problem for Carolina fans is the roller-coaster ride that is their Football team. Case in point, their greatest team of all-time, the 1984 squad, which was 9-0, ranked #2 overall, and got beaten by...Navy (3-5-1). Clemson fans still remember the year fondly, despite the fact that a safety the following week let the 'Cocks manage to beat us, 22-21.
The fan base is rabidly loyal (there's not much else to do in Columbia thanks to city politics...see the "Capital City Bombers" for more details), and the team does have its moments. The problem is that due to fan expectations going through the roof when they don't lose, there is a painful crash when reality rears its ugly head.
Both Florida and Tennessee had 'down' years in '05, and Gamecock fans are right to enjoy their kudos - let Rooster Louie and Jeff Faller have their fun.
If I were to guess, Spurrier is trying to continue what Holtz tried to do - change the culture at Carolina. This is definately a Holtz tactic, although I'm not certain at how effective it will end up being.
But then again, Steve Spurrier does know more about winning National Titles than I do...
bmurf said:
posted on May 3, 2006 2:47 PM — 65.83.17.14 — link — abuse?
Listen Gamecock fans..... ask yourselves these 3 questions:
1. Were you happy with Steve Spurrier when he beat Florida? 2. Were you happy with Steve Spurrier when he beat the Vols? 3. Were you happy with Steve Spurrier at the end of your entire football season? I went to Florida when we won the national championship in '96. I didn't always like what he said, but I was very happy with Steve Spurrier season after season.So Cal Clippers said:
posted on May 3, 2006 7:23 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
Regan, Tennessee was also 7 Points from a 3-8 Record and 14 point from 2-9! They were quiet literally a Slip-in-the-Endzone & a PAT away from being forced to Overtime by UA Birmingham!!!... and Tenny barely got passed a Memphis team which was WITHOUT RB DeANGELO WILLIAMS!!!
... 4-7 Washington State was 16 from being 9-2 (injured All-American LB candidate & team Captian); theres often more than a few teams like that, a losing Tennessee-team in '05 was nothing special.So Cal Clippers said:
posted on May 3, 2006 7:39 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
Jeff Faller, some of what these people saying, like AligatorPilot and Vol Nation, seems to be "wishful thinking" on their part more than anything.
Serious questions: what was "Florida" before Spurrier? ... and if a piss-town like Knoxville Tennessee can draw recruits, why cant a place like Columbia, So Carolina do it?
Semper Fidelis, Go TrojansRegan said:
posted on May 3, 2006 8:32 PM — 205.188.116.133 — link — abuse?
So Cal Clippers (#25 & #26)
Your points on Tennessee being 14 points away from 2-9 are valid. My point was that Tennessee was all over the place last year. They beat LSU. They lost to Vanderbilt.
We all get it - the Vols didn't have a good year; we have in fact known that for some time. Given the Vols' recent history, it is clear that that their 5-6 record was out of the ordinary.
You are right that teams like Tennessee '05 are nothing special, but when South Carolina fans decide to bash one of my teams for one win after losing to them for 12 straight years, I'm going to back the Vols up...
Lastly, Knoxville is indeed a nice little city, like most in the southeast. I'll be a pal and not ask what the Trojans offer to attract star players to play there, considering recent events...
Mooka said:
posted on May 4, 2006 1:52 AM — 68.6.189.197 — link — abuse?
This is typical of Spurrier. I could just picture him throwing a hissy fit and complaining about his surroundings instead of making moves to improve things and just use what he has. Don't tell me he doesn't have enough equipment, support, or whatever the FuC** he needs to improve that program. If he was a good coach he would shut his mouth and do his job. This is not a good tactic to improve a program. You as a head coach do not tell your team they can not compete because their facilities and fans suck. I'm sure he was a spoiled brat growing up who was used to having everything handed down to him, but now it's time for him to prove why he should get paid the big bucks.
Jeff Faller said:
posted on May 4, 2006 9:51 AM — 138.162.128.37 — link — abuse?
God I love College football! So Cal thanks for the Semper Fi I take it your a Marine or have done your time. Anyways I by no means am a College Coach and I'm guessing a lot of you aren't either. But I'm just going off reality and Steve Spurrier is an excellent Coach bottom line. Way better than Holtz and Scott and Sparky. If you follow recruiting that Jimmy Clausen's top three had Carolina in there. Now try going back 5 years ago and top ranked recruits did'nt even know who the Gamecocks were. Now they see the name Spurrier and we all know what kind of talent he gets. Of course maybe I'm wrong maybe I have no clue what I'm talking about. But I love my Gamecocks and I'll support them come win or lose. I love this program and the time has come for us to rise. Semper Fi and Go Gamecocks!!!!!!!
Rooster Louie said:
posted on May 4, 2006 3:52 PM — 152.163.100.196 — link — abuse?
OK, well maybe we do suck, and maybe we will never win a championship of ne kind here, but i have hope for my team. I b-leve that just maybe if spurrier can get the recruits he needs, he will be able to get us an unbeleivable 8 wins. You dont know how bad i want those 8 wins. I would appreciate it if the cock jokes would stop 2. GO COCKS, gat that P*****
Regan said:
posted on May 4, 2006 9:49 PM — 64.12.116.199 — link — abuse?
Jeff Faller (#29) & Rooster Louie (#30):
Two of my three teams are Clemson and Tennessee, so you understand that I'm not a Gamecock fan by any means. I will say that your optimism in Carolina football is quite annoying - ie: quite respectable.
Carolina fans have always impressed me with their rabid devotion to their team no matter what. This can be irritating (especially if you live in Columbia), but you guys have the right attitude - I wish other fans would have that level of devotion.
Spurrier is an evil genius, IMHO (since I didn't care for the dominating Gators of the '90's). While I don't understand the comments, I'm sure he knows what he's doing - it seems eerily similar to Holtz's tactics.
Yall will be in good shape.
Case In Point:
2003: 63-17
2004: 29-7
2005: 13-9
2006: Tiger fans desperately hoping a certain trend doesn't continue...Joe said:
posted on May 5, 2006 1:32 PM — 65.35.218.18 — link — abuse?
While it certainly is true Stevie always tells it like he feels. Unfortunately he confuses that with how it actually is. USC has always had rabid support. Spurrier has a "gambling QB's" mentality with his offenses. It is always Feast or Famine. He is extremely bull- headed and stubborn and that usually does him in whenever he faces an opponent with equal or better talent. He of course also is a Poor winner and Poor loser. Not exactly the type that I admire but hey whatever floats your boat. I do believe he is quite over- rated.
Steve Spurrier said:
posted on May 8, 2006 11:52 AM — 168.9.212.7 — link — abuse?
Why are you taking everything I say to the extreme? I said what I said in order to help my team in the future. With my comments more boosters and donations will come forward to help our program. I think my first year at South Carolina was pretty much a success, even though we had too many ups and downs than I would have liked. As I said at the beginning of the season, we needed to beat 2 of the big 3, and we did. We accomplished one of our biggest goals set. I am looking forward to the rest of my career at South Carolina and winning a few National Championships along the way. Thanks for your help.
- Steve Spurrier
South Carolina Head Football CoachAaron said:
posted on May 9, 2006 3:40 PM — 198.151.13.8 — link — abuse?
Seriously? High school stadiums bigger than 82K-seat Williams Brice? I guess we COULD just re-number the seats and make them all 14 inches wide, like at Neyland Stadium (the only stadium i've ever heard of that expanded with NO construction).
Seriously, Spurrier's right. He's been ASKED to spear-head the campaign to bring more funds to USC to improve our facilities, and he accepted the challenge. He's a celebrity. Period. It helps to have a celebrity promote your product.
We need better facilities. Our Academic Center (a BIG recruiting lure used by other SEC schools) is a room in the library. The dorms the players live in need more attention. The stadium needs to be spruced up (some of that started last summer).
On the coaching side of the ledger...he's a damn good coach. I like the snide remarks from Gator fans saying that he's not worth a damn...while others (the astute ones) admit to his credentials with a lump in their throats (respectfully, of course). He's a genius, and he surrounds himself with great coaches.
Look at his last two recruiting classes to Columbia - solid and filling needs. He got 7 O-Linemen this past February (at least 5 of which were in the top 25-30 in the nation at their respective line position). He's already got the #1 CB (nationally) in the 2007 class committed to USC (Gary Gray) and a stud OL. There are several other program-changing commitments on the way.
He's bringing in the PLAYERS. There are only a handful of seniors left from the Holtz era - and Spurrier took the job less than 20 months ago. THAT is what he means by needing PLAYERS.
Attendance at the Spring Game was not what Spurrier expected, and he called us out on it. He wants us to put our money (for expanding/improving facilities) where our mouths are. Why? Because HE DOES IT AS OUR COACH. He backs up his words with dedication and results. He expects the same from us. Quite frankly, it's refreshing.
Joe said:
posted on May 11, 2006 12:25 PM — 65.35.218.18 — link — abuse?
No one can deny that Spurrier had an immensely successful debut as a HC at USC. That he actually beat UF in his first year shows that he has become yet another "nightmare" for gator fans everywhere. No wonder!! they are terrified to ever schedule UM on a home and home basis every year.
A couple more wins by Steve over "urban warfare" and the UF fan base will implode on itself. Steve still has many die- hard gator fans that are not that enamored with Urban. Gamecock fans have every reason to be extremely excited about their program.
Mooka said:
posted on May 20, 2006 2:33 AM — 68.6.189.197 — link — abuse?
Joe,
Which leaves me with the question, why is he saying the team can't compete in the SEC with what they have? They look like a challenging team to me which is improving. I don't know...I just don't buy into the tactic, but I'm not alumni or affiliated with this team an anyway so it's not my battle.
So Cal Clippers said:
posted on May 20, 2006 4:23 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
Joe... youre wrong on one count and sorta right on another.
So Carl 2004 = 6-5 (without Spury)
So Carl 2005 = 7-5 (with Spury)
~~wow~~
... are you sure you that qualifies as an "immensley" successful debut???
... you say "no one" can deny that?!!?!? Come on. Slow the hype. Sure So Carl did beat the Florida Aligators, great, but dont get carried away - the SEC was the 5th Rated Conference in 2005.Having said that, So Carl fans DO have reason to be excited. But then again... Spurrier better get on it. Recruiting is the foundation of any program and his 2006 Class was rated 9TH in the Confernece by Scout.com (33rd/overall), and rated 8TH by Rivals.com (24th overall).
... again, "immensely" successful is a bit much. Compared that with So Carl's 2003 Class, before Spurry: Scout rated it 5th/SEC, 15th/overall... Rivals rated it 4th/SEC, 8th/overallJoe said:
posted on May 21, 2006 8:33 AM — 70.127.80.94 — link — abuse?
As far as won/loss record I agree that it wasn't that impressive, and I probably overstated his success. However, beating UT and UF in the same year is an extremely unusual occurrence. Has it ever happened before?
USC has had a very good attendance for its program over the last couple of decades despite a rather poor won/ loss record which leads me to also understand Mooka's point.
Spurrier's point does appear a bit "too whiny" given the support USC has certainly had for quite some time.
Of course many will state that is just Stevie being Stevie as if that somehow excuses it! Go figure?Cocky said:
posted on May 23, 2006 1:00 AM — 24.31.102.201 — link — abuse?
Bottom line is, USC needs upgrades to their facilities. It's Spurriers job to bring it to the publics attention. How else are they to know? He's very frank. He doesn't beat around the bush. We know where we stand with him. USC is thrilled to have Steve Spurrier and I feel sure he will get everything he wants at South Carolina and so will we. GO GAMECOCKS!!
gatorhippy said:
posted on August 15, 2006 2:31 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?
Cocky is correct.
When at UF, Spurrier said the same thing and the school and the boosters responded by ponying the cash for top notch facilities.
That is what Spurrier is saying, everyone can recruit good athletes but the schools with the best facilities will get the great recruits.
The support he's looking for is not butts in the seats; it's alumni putting their bucks back into the school that gave them the ability to make money.
If you Cock fans will put some cash up, ya'll will most definitely be in fo the same ride UF rode in the 90's with Spurrier!!!
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K Hat said:
posted on April 25, 2006 11:18 AM — 24.171.17.96 — link — abuse?I'm sure South Carolina needs to upgrade their facilities, including their cafeteria, but going public with this might not be been the brightest thing to do. Clemson, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Auburn, and LSU. will use this statement against South Carolina in recruiting for at least four or five years, if not more.