SEC Football: Head Coach Evaluations, South Carolina Gamecocks’ Steve Spurrier
Sep 20, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Case Against . . .
The Gamecocks’ last two coaches have been legends who won a national championship at their previous destination. One is the man currently being discussed. The other is Lou Holtz.
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Holtz, who had recruiting violations to help end his tenure at both Notre Dame and South Carolina, compiled a lackluster 33-37 record during his time with the Gamecocks. That tenure also included an 0-fer, going 0-11 in 1999. Before one can make a case to dismiss the Ole Ball Coach, one must also consider how much better he’s done at USC than anyone else. But there is a case to be made.
If one were to travel to gamecocksonline and view Spurrier’s history, the 2014 season is only marked by a historical milestone of Spurrier reaching his 400th game as a head coach. The story quickly moves to 2010 when Spurrier became only the 4th coach — after fellow legends Vince Dooley, John Vaught, and Paul “Bear” Bryant — to reach 100 conference wins against SEC opponents.
Why is this significant? Simple. Because 2014 was not for South Carolina. After entering the season No. 9 in the AP poll, the Gamecocks lost the season opener (and proceeded to keep on losing, including to Clemson, to finish the regular season 6-6). It was the first time since 2007 that USC failed to post a winning record during the regular season, though a bowl win did prevent Spurrier from suffering his first losing season at South Carolina.
One would be quite burdened to defensibly say Spurrier has not earned a slip of a season after all he has accomplished at South Carolina. But a $4 million a year salary does not allow anyone security from mediocrity.
One of the most condemning things against Spurrier is his recent reluctance to commit. It is no surprise the Ole Ball Coach has not shied from retirement talk, as he has always been incredibly frank. Mentioning his time may be near, though, assuredly makes it tough for 17 and 18-year-olds to commit to the program for the next 3-5 years. Coach Spurrier has built South Carolina into a credible program with momentum. But could his extended tenure cause the program to fall back into mediocrity?
Next: Some Thoughts on Spurrier