The National Media Has Done It Again
posted by Scott Hood, Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Why?
Late June and July is when many national writers come out of the closest with their pre-season predictions for college football, most of which turn out wrong. Typically, they get around to talking about coaches on the hot seat or those most likely to resign or be fired at the end of the season.
More often than not, the discussion eventually comes around to Steve Spurrier, the favorite topic, it seems, of many star-struck journalists.
Since his first season in 2005, we’ve been treated to annual forecasts of how long Spurrier would last at South Carolina. Many of these national writers have confidently asserted it was only a matter of time before he threw up his hands in frustration and walked away.
Frankly, some of their predictions have been laughable, which is why I enjoy them so much.
In my opinion, the national media still fails to understand the reasons Spurrier came to USC, or that he chose USC and not vice versa. Then, to compound their horror, Spurrier ignored the overtures of Alabama and Miami in 2006 and decided to remain in Columbia.
The latest to fall into the trap of prognosticating Spurrier could leave USC prematurely is ESPN’s Pat Forde, who posted a column on the four-letter network's web site this week predicting either Spurrier or Tennessee’s Phil Fulmer were the most likely coaches to leave their respective schools when the 2008 season is complete.
Spurrier won’t be fired, so he’ll have to leave on his own volition. But, barring a total catastrophe, that’s not going to happen either, even if USC puts up another 6-6 record this season.
As I’ve said before, Spurrier knew exactly what he was getting into when he arrived in Columbia. He was well aware of the lack of a winning tradition in Columbia (remember, he joked about the lack of hardware in the trophy case) and the challenge he faced trying to pull the Gamecocks up to the level of Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
Has he succeeded? Not yet. Sure, he’s beaten all three of those SEC East foes once and lost a heartbreaker to each as well, so USC has been competitive.
But, we should’ve all grasped the concept by now that it’s all about winning. Close doesn’t count. Giving a great effort doesn’t count. I can assure you no one understands that better than Spurrier, who emphatically reminded USC fans in 2006 that it’s not cool to cheer the players when they walkoff the field after a close loss.
However, insisting Spurrier won’t leave after this season doesn’t minimize the importance of the 2008 season. This is a vital year for the HBC and the entire football program. The Gamecock Nation is restless.
Few expected USC would finish only .500 and fail to earn a bowl berth in Spurrier’s third year. As a result, the pressure is building. USC plans to impose seat licenses at Williams-Brice Stadium in 2009. There is a major capital campaign going on.
It would certainly help convince USC fans to pull out their checkbooks if the football team had a successful season in 2008. The opportunity for an eight or nine win season is right in front of them with Arkansas and Tennessee sliding, and contests against Georgia (that one is always close) and LSU (major quarterback issues) at home.
Spurrier said repeatedly on this past spring’s Gamecock Club tour that USC has enough quality players on its roster right now to contend in the SEC. That's true, especially on defense, where I expect new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson will make a major impact.
His recent statements certainly suggest Spurrier believes that if USC plays to its potential and makes plays in the clutch (a major problem in the past), they’ll have a very good season.
Forde is correct, though, when he says that there are two many top-shelf coaches in the SEC to keep everybody happy. Five current coaches (Spurrier, Miles, Meyer, Fulmer, Saban) have won a national championship.
Unfortunately, somebody has to lose every game. But tell that to the millions of frenzied football fans around the conference. My guess is Tennessee will finish around 7-5 and cut ties with Fulmer at the end of the season, no matter how costly the buyout will be. They can afford it.
Another coach or two could feel the pain, as well. But you can rest easy that one of them won’t be Spurrier. His contract runs through 2012 and the Board of Trustees approved a $1 million lump-sum annuity for him last year provided he remains with the Gamecocks through the 2011 season.
Here’s the twist: Spurrier has put a lot of faith in the highly-ranked 2007 signing class. He points to those players and proclaims USC is still building. Well, 2011 is when most of those players will be fifth-year seniors.
If USC enjoys a historically successful season in 2011, will Spurrier leave on a high note or will he stick around through the end of his contract or beyond?
That’s the relevant question.
Until then, USC fans can look forward to Spurrier strolling the Gamecocks for at least four more seasons, no matter what the national media says.
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I always look forward to this time of the year.
Why?
Late June and July is when many national writers come out of the closest with their pre-season predictions for college football, most of which turn out wrong. Typically, they get around to talking about coaches on the hot seat or those most likely to resign or be fired at the end of the season.
More often than not, the discussion eventually comes around to Steve Spurrier, the favorite topic, it seems, of many star-struck journalists.
Since his first season in 2005, we’ve been treated to annual forecasts of how long Spurrier would last at South Carolina. Many of these national writers have confidently asserted it was only a matter of time before he threw up his hands in frustration and walked away.
Frankly, some of their predictions have been laughable, which is why I enjoy them so much.
In my opinion, the national media still fails to understand the reasons Spurrier came to USC, or that he chose USC and not vice versa. Then, to compound their horror, Spurrier ignored the overtures of Alabama and Miami in 2006 and decided to remain in Columbia.
The latest to fall into the trap of prognosticating Spurrier could leave USC prematurely is ESPN’s Pat Forde, who posted a column on the four-letter network's web site this week predicting either Spurrier or Tennessee’s Phil Fulmer were the most likely coaches to leave their respective schools when the 2008 season is complete.
Spurrier won’t be fired, so he’ll have to leave on his own volition. But, barring a total catastrophe, that’s not going to happen either, even if USC puts up another 6-6 record this season.
As I’ve said before, Spurrier knew exactly what he was getting into when he arrived in Columbia. He was well aware of the lack of a winning tradition in Columbia (remember, he joked about the lack of hardware in the trophy case) and the challenge he faced trying to pull the Gamecocks up to the level of Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
Has he succeeded? Not yet. Sure, he’s beaten all three of those SEC East foes once and lost a heartbreaker to each as well, so USC has been competitive.
But, we should’ve all grasped the concept by now that it’s all about winning. Close doesn’t count. Giving a great effort doesn’t count. I can assure you no one understands that better than Spurrier, who emphatically reminded USC fans in 2006 that it’s not cool to cheer the players when they walkoff the field after a close loss.
However, insisting Spurrier won’t leave after this season doesn’t minimize the importance of the 2008 season. This is a vital year for the HBC and the entire football program. The Gamecock Nation is restless.
Few expected USC would finish only .500 and fail to earn a bowl berth in Spurrier’s third year. As a result, the pressure is building. USC plans to impose seat licenses at Williams-Brice Stadium in 2009. There is a major capital campaign going on.
It would certainly help convince USC fans to pull out their checkbooks if the football team had a successful season in 2008. The opportunity for an eight or nine win season is right in front of them with Arkansas and Tennessee sliding, and contests against Georgia (that one is always close) and LSU (major quarterback issues) at home.
Spurrier said repeatedly on this past spring’s Gamecock Club tour that USC has enough quality players on its roster right now to contend in the SEC. That's true, especially on defense, where I expect new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson will make a major impact.
His recent statements certainly suggest Spurrier believes that if USC plays to its potential and makes plays in the clutch (a major problem in the past), they’ll have a very good season.
Forde is correct, though, when he says that there are two many top-shelf coaches in the SEC to keep everybody happy. Five current coaches (Spurrier, Miles, Meyer, Fulmer, Saban) have won a national championship.
Unfortunately, somebody has to lose every game. But tell that to the millions of frenzied football fans around the conference. My guess is Tennessee will finish around 7-5 and cut ties with Fulmer at the end of the season, no matter how costly the buyout will be. They can afford it.
Another coach or two could feel the pain, as well. But you can rest easy that one of them won’t be Spurrier. His contract runs through 2012 and the Board of Trustees approved a $1 million lump-sum annuity for him last year provided he remains with the Gamecocks through the 2011 season.
Here’s the twist: Spurrier has put a lot of faith in the highly-ranked 2007 signing class. He points to those players and proclaims USC is still building. Well, 2011 is when most of those players will be fifth-year seniors.
If USC enjoys a historically successful season in 2011, will Spurrier leave on a high note or will he stick around through the end of his contract or beyond?
That’s the relevant question.
Until then, USC fans can look forward to Spurrier strolling the Gamecocks for at least four more seasons, no matter what the national media says.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.