Spurrier Happy To Be Back

The Ol’ Ball Coach wants to bring a little fun to South Carolina’s spring and reclaim his successful reputation after two losing seasons in the NFL.

Both the Gamecocks and Steve Spurrier could use some good times on the field after what they’ve been through.

South Carolina ended last season with an on-field brawl at Clemson. Then came an offseason during which nine players were arrested and the team’s leading rusher dismissed.

Meanwhile, Spurrier is still trying to shake the memories of his disastrous time with the Washington Redskins, where he says his head may have gotten too big for his visor.

“We’re all starting afresh, players, coaches, our team, everything about us, from this day forward,” Spurrier said.

While he’s disappointed he won’t have playmakers such as tailback Demetris Summers (kicked off the team for violating team rules) or defensive end Moe Thompson (facing first-degree burglary charges), Spurrier was happy to hit the field starting last week with the group he’s got.

The Gamecocks are as big and strong right now as any of his teams at Duke and Florida, Spurrier said. And their speed? “It’s pretty good,” Spurrier said.

Strength coach Mark Smith, also with Spurrier at Florida, remembered there were 25 Gators in 2000 who ran a time of 4.5 seconds or better in the 40-yard dash. Smith recently told the coach, “We got 26 here,” Spurrier said. “So our team speed is not bad.”

Spurrier has taken an easygoing approach so far with his players, quick with a smile or a pat on the back.

When a flu bug hit the team during winter workouts, running back Cory Boyd said Spurrier didn’t want to shake hands, and instead went knuckle to knuckle.

“I don’t know what y’all got,” Spurrier told Boyd, “so just give me pound,” holding out his closed fist.

Spurrier spent as much time encouraging sophomore quarterback Blake Mitchell at the opening spring practice as correcting his new starter.

After the workout, offensive lineman Freddy Saint-Preux said Spurrier told everyone that just because they had a good practice, he didn’t want his assistant coaches partying all night. “He’s a funny guy,” Saint-Preux said.

That’s not always the characterization that springs to mind with Spurrier.

He has infuriated opposing coaches and fans with biting comments, such as calling Florida State “Free Shoes University” during a mid-1990s controversy, or saying you can’t spell Citrus (Bowl) “without UT [University of Tennessee]” when the Gators routinely stomped the Vols in the Southeastern Conference.

Even when he left Florida for the Redskins, Spurrier ridiculed pro coaches who spend nights sleeping at the office.

But Spurrier and his system didn’t work in Washington. He walked away after two years of a five-year contract, a humbled man with a 12-20 record.

“Maybe I was a little arrogant. Maybe I ran my mouth more than I should,” Spurrier said when he took the South Carolina job. “Human nature comes down and causes you maybe to feel you’ve got more answers than you really do when you’ve got a real good team.

“So, hopefully, I’ve learned some humility and great respect for all coaches.”

Spurrier should have his hands full reviving a team that hasn’t had many high-water marks.

Lou Holtz, who handed the job off to his friend Spurrier last fall, led the Gamecocks to 8-4 and 9-3 seasons and consecutive Outback Bowl victories in 2000-01, the best two-year stretch in school history. Since then, the Gamecocks have spent more time dodging the bottom of the SEC than contending for the top.

The offseason problems won’t help.

Summers could have been the pass-catching back in Spurrier’s offense. Thompson’s speed on defense could have made him a sack threat this fall. Instead, they, along with receiver David Smith and defensive lineman Kevin Mainord (both charged with first-degree burglary) and offensive lineman Woodly Telfort (charged with grand larceny), won’t return.

“Four or five players choosing their own direction over 80 guys does not reflect the attitude of our team,” Spurrier said.

The arrests haven’t stamped out the enthusiasm of Gamecock fans. More than 2,500 showed up for the opening practice on March 19, cheering even the most routine catch.

Gamecock Club executive director Jeff Barber said his booster group is $3 million ahead of last year’s fund-raising, with a third of that coming from people who’ve never donated before.

“It looks like it’s going to be a real fun atmosphere,” said Boyd, the starting tailback. “With a visor, without a visor, he’s a real cool coach.”