Steve Spurrier has not been shy when it comes to bragging about all of the “firsts” that his South Carolina Gamecocks football program has accomplished since he took over in 2005. Among the many undeniable accomplishments was a three-year run of 11-win seasons from 2011 through 2013. But this year, the Gamecocks faltered badly to finish 6-6 even as they were picked in the preseason as a co-favorite with the Georgia Bulldogs to win the SEC East title which ended up going to the Mizzou Tigers for the second consecutive season. Now the question is if “The Ole’ Ball Coach” has run out of gas of if this was just a temporary setback?
What we Love about the OBC may have Damaged Him in 2014
Spurrier is loved by fans throughout the country for his outspoken bluntness and his refusal to play politics. But it is that very characteristic of his personality that may have cost him at least part of the locker room this past season.
After a shaky 48-34 win at a bad Vanderbilt team Spurrier made his usual cutting remarks with a little more snip than even he is known for and threw his special teams coach and defensive coordinator under the bus at the post-game press conference. He bitterly called the game an “embarrassing win.” He also lit into players more than normal as the weeks progressed and seemed worn down by season’s end looking very much his 69 years of age.
OBC on the Brink?
Every coach has a shelf life, but particularly one with Spurrier’s dynamic and driven personality. Even Florida grew tired of his antics at the end, despite record-setting winning seasons and a national championship. There is also the same danger that coaches such as basketball’s Bobby Knight had to face which is that people will put up with anything as long as you are winning but heaven help you if the success begins to fade.
Spurrier now faces the challenge of trying to hold together a recruiting class that has become skeptical of the future and if USC can sustain its unprecedented success. Four recruits backed out when Spurrier said he was good for two or three more seasons as head coach. He has since retracted that statement due to the aggressive negative recruiting that has taken place in the cutthroat SEC turf wars for talent.
Spurrier has also not yet accomplished his original goal at South Carolina which is to win the SEC Championship. He did lead the Gamecocks to the SEC Championship Game in 2010 where they were obliterated 56-17 by Cam Newton and the eventual national champion Auburn Tigers, but that’s the closest he has ever come with South Carolina.
Spurrier is not likely to walk away without another real shot at an SEC title and does not want to retire empty-handed. But there are signs that the strain of hanging in there to fulfill that goal is wearing on him both physically and emotionally. He has always been considered young for his age but that was not the case at the end of the 2014 season.
Fewer Hours make for More Years
Spurrier has never worked the ridiculous 20 hour days of his rivals and prefers to sleep at home over sleeping on the office couch. His love of golf and recreation is also a benefit in preventing the burn out that has destroyed some many coaching careers. And those that know him best believe that he will not stay on if he becomes miserable on the job.
Improving SEC East Will Be Tough
The window may be closing on the Gamecocks as the SEC East will not be down for long. Butch Jones has the Tennessee Volunteers on the rise and Jim McElwain will likely fix Florida sooner rather than later. Georgia is always loaded with talent and pesky Mizzou is the two time defending East champ.
If any coach can win the SEC championship at South Carolina it is Spurrier. A win in the Independence Bowl and strong recruiting season would help get things back on track and build much needed momentum. For now there are simply questions.
