Steve Spurrier

Steve Spurrier (born April 20, 1945 in Miami Beach, Florida) is a former American football player and current head coach at the University of South Carolina. He played quarterback for the University of Florida and won the Heisman Trophy in 1966. From 1967-1976, he played quarterback in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Related Topics:
April 20 - 1945 - Miami Beach, Florida - American football - University of South Carolina - Quarterback - University of Florida - Heisman Trophy - 1966 - 1967 - 1976 - NFL - San Francisco 49ers - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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After retiring from the NFL, Steve Spurrier began his coaching career as a quarterbacks coach at the University of Florida. After further serving as assistant coach at Duke University and Georgia Tech, in 1983 Steve Spurrier was awarded his first head coaching job: the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League. The team had significant success before the league dissolved after its third season. In 1987, Coach Spurrier became head coach of the Duke football team. There he led the team to new heights, including a bowl appearance and an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship in 1989. For his success at Duke, Coach Spurrier received the ACC Coach of the Year award in 1988 and 1989.

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Duke University - Georgia Tech - 1983 - Tampa Bay Bandits - United States Football League - 1987 - Atlantic Coast Conference - 1989 - 1988

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On December 31, 1989, Spurrier accepted the head coaching job at the University of Florida, his alma mater. He helped guide the team away from a period of scandal and captured the team's first ever Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship. The 1996 season saw the team reach the pinnacle of the college football world and capture its first ever national championship. From 1990-2001, the Florida Gators under Spurrier won six SEC titles. Spurrier is also credited with creating the nickname "The Swamp" for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the Gators' home field.

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December 31 - 1989 - Southeastern Conference - 1996 - College football - 1990 - 2001 - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

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After the 2001 season, Spurrier resigned his University of Florida coaching position to become head coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins. Spurrier's five-year, $25 million contract with the Redskins was the biggest coaching contract in the history of the league. Despite high expectations, the team struggled under his leadership and he became the target of significant criticism. On December 30, 2003, Spurrier resigned his coaching job with the Redskins. During the 2004 football season, he decided to take his name out of consideration for a return to the Florida head coaching job.

Related Topics:
2001 - Washington Redskins - December 30 - 2003 - Florida

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Throughout the 2004 season, Spurrier openly discussed coaching for a team in the southeast in the 2005 college football season. After removing his name from consideration to coach the Gators, rumors flew that Spurrier was considering coaching at either the University of South Carolina or the University of North Carolina. On November 22, South Carolina coach Lou Holtz officially announced his retirement. In his speech, Holtz hinted that Spurrier, Holtz's friend and golf buddy, would replace him and, indeed, months of rumor were put to rest as Spurrier was announced to be South Carolina's new head coach on November 23.

Related Topics:
University of South Carolina - University of North Carolina - November 22 - Lou Holtz - November 23

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Spurrier is well known for his wry, witty vocal commentary. He once insulted Florida State University as "Free Shoes University" (after a shoe store gave Florida State players free shoes), questioned the abilities of Head Coach Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee ("You can't spell Citrus without UT") and former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning ("I know why Peyton came back for his senior year, he wanted to be a three-time Citrus Bowl MVP"), in reference to the Citrus Bowl being the designated bowl for the second-choice team from the SEC. He also famously poked fun at a fire that burned 20 books at an Auburn football dorm, saying "But the real tragedy was that fifteen hadn't been colored yet!" Spurrier also imitated Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers, sticking his finger into a camera and saying "How y'all like my Kenny Rogers impression?"

Related Topics:
Florida State University - Tennessee - Peyton Manning - Citrus Bowl - SEC - Kenny Rogers

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According to a tongue-in-cheek but scientific Sports Illustrated survey, he was named enemy number one in Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia.

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