Paper Says Spurrier to Join Florida

Duke Coach Steve Spurrier has indicated to his assistants that he will become the football coach at Florida, The News and Observer of Raleigh reported.

Spurrier revealed his intentions to the coaching staff before Duke left on Saturday for Birmingham, the newspaper said in a story printed in today’s editions.

Spurrier, however, denied that he accepted the job. He said he had talked to his assistants about the Florida job, but added that he would not make any decision until after the team played in the Freedom Bowl Saturday in Anaheim.

“It’s just speculation,” he said in a telephone interview from Birmingham, Ala., where the Blue Devils will play Texas Tech in Thursday’s All American Bowl. “There’s nothing definite at this point. There is no agreement, so we will just have to wait and see.”

“He has not made any comment to me, although I think he’s leaning that (Florida’s) way,” Duke Athletic Director Tom Butters said.

Butters said he did not expect Spurrier, who was offered the Florida job on Dec. 12, to announce a decision before Saturday. Butters also said he had told Spurrier that “he could direct the Duke team in the bowl, regardless of his choice.”

Florida Athletic Director Bill Arnsparger said he had received no indication from Spurrier about his plans.

“I don’t know what he is thinking,” Arnsparger said via telephone from his Gainesville, Fla., home. “I don’t plan to talk to him again until after our bowl game.”