🏈 The State of the Spurrier Address

[CRIMSONTUSKS.COM BLOG]

The use of the word "excitement" and finding the phrase "a high pitched fervor" in the same sentence isn't at all uncommon for observers of the South Carolina Gamecock fan base. It's an annual tradition, a feat quite frankly unmatched, for those fans to have unbridled optimism. Optimism, preceded by "cautious," ...

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[porkchop]

That's a good read, Terry. I have seemingly asked these same questions for several seasons now.

I know that South Carolina is a tough place to win at. At least, historically, it has been. Yet when Spurrier was hired I thought there might be a changing of the guard in the East. I knew it wouldn't come immediately, but I felt like the Ol Ball Coach would turn things around in Columbia, given time. I felt like Spurrier would bring his magic to the Gamecock program and make them a force to be reckoned with in the East, and to a degree, nationally.

Having said that, over the last several years I see a repeated trend in Columbia. A trend of mediocrity. For Spurrier's teams it's been 1 step forward, 2 steps back every single season. When they have a defense, they have no offense. When the Gamecocks have receivers, they have no one to get the ball to them. It goes on. They've never been a complete team in all of his time there. I don't mean a DOMINANT team. I just mean, a complete team.

These days I find Spurrier and the Gamecocks an afterthought when the divisional breakdowns and predictions come out. South Carolina might potentially turn it all around for some sort of magical season under Spurrier one of these years, but I just don't see it any more. I'm not sure Spurrier has the drive or energy anymore to do what is needed to turn the corner at South Carolina. Heck, I'm not sure the people and powers that be have that desire or drive any more. At least with Spurrier at the helm. I think time is running out.

Is South Carolina in a better place now than they were when Spurrier took over? I'm not sure they are.

 

[paintrockfan]

I think that he is good at making people believe that they can win. I think that is the contrution that he has made. Having been to the state I belive that the awsomeness of the state takes over the priorities of football.

 

[TerryP]

There was one observation, from a Gamecock fan, on this subject I found interesting.

His point was if Spurrier remains another four or five years and averages seven wins a season—without having a losing season—he'd have done one thing he said he'd do when he arrived.

Leave as the coach with the most wins in South Carolina history.

But, one other point the fan made really struck me. He went on to say if he averaged seven wins a season, and didn't have a losing season, he'd be the only coach at South Carolina to do so.

Therefore, a success.

That really got me thinking.

How do we define success?

Right now, Saban ranks (in terms of success on the field) a little higher than Curry and Perkins because he made in through a regular season undefeated. But, on the other hand, Curry had a SECC in 1989.

I look at coaches who have had a losing season (DuBose, Shula) and consider them failures but DuBose has '99 on his resume.

South Carolina still has a glaring need for offensive lineman. Glaring. Anyone who follows SEC football knows that doesn't equal a successful recipe.

Another crazy thought?

I have South Carolina finishing third in the SEC East this fall. And, even with what I see as a record a game, maybe two, over .500 I thought that was a success when I realized where I had them finishing.

If that was Bama it would be abject failure.

 

[TerryP]

I think that he is good at making people believe that they can win. I think that is the contrution that he has made. Having been to the state I belive that the awsomeness of the state takes over the priorities of football.

I can't say I agree with that.

I live in the state...awesomeness? Maybe in terms of how many golf courses are within an hours drive of my house.

Other than that?

I don't know if the "belief they can win" has been instilled or not. The dive they took when the lost five in a row to end their season a couple of years ago makes me wonder...

 

[Bamadrill]

Some folks around here are growing a little tired of Visorboy.

 

[TerryP]

Some folks around here are growing a little tired of Visorboy.

I hear that a lot around the Low Country as well. They have a point, because they keep referring to "that's what he said the last time, and the time before that..."

It's valid, because if SOS is using those explanations as reasons for losses at some point you'd hope they'd be addressed.

 

[Bamadrill]

I still think that he would do well at some place other than USCE. Doc Sorenson has ruined things here for the Gamecock faithful also. These folks run a close second to us as far as a loyal fanbase goes.

 

[TerryP]

I still think that he would do well at some place other than USCE. Doc Sorenson has ruined things here for the Gamecock faithful also. These folks run a close second to us as far as a loyal fanbase goes.

Would we sell out during an 0-11 season?

 

[musso]

I have South Carolina finishing third in the SEC East this fall. And, even with what I see as a record a game, maybe two, over .500

a gulf exists between UF and the rest of the East this season. in fact UF's schedule sets them up perfectly for another championship. i think the race for third in the East is going to be rather entertaining. watch out for UK!

 

[TerryP]

a gulf exists between UF and the rest of the East this season. in fact UF's schedule sets them up perfectly for another championship. i think the race for third in the East is going to be rather entertaining. watch out for UK!

4-6 is going to come down to November the way I see it.

It's a virtual round-robin tournament with UK, Vandy and UT all playing each other.

 

[Bamadrill]

Would we sell out during an 0-11 season?

Heck no.

 

[musso]

4-6 is going to come down to November the way I see it.

It's a virtual round-robin tournament with UK, Vandy and UT all playing each other.

actually, i'm thinking UK, Vandy, UT, and S.Car.

 

[psychojoe]

What the USCe people need to be asking themselves is what happened to Spurrier's offensive genius. With only rare exceptions the Gamecocks offense under SOS has ranged from struggling to self destructive. They have been very solid on defense throughout his tenure, which has kept the overall record at mediocre, as opposed to catastrophic. I don't see any reason to expect them to be any better this year, though an offense that doesn't turn the ball over with such regularity might salvage another win or so. 3rd in the east at best.

 

[TerryP]

actually, i'm thinking UK, Vandy, UT, and S.Car.

Didn't you take issue with my thoughts on Auburn last year?

 

[CrimsonPirate]

There was one observation, from a Gamecock fan, on this subject I found interesting.

His point was if Spurrier remains another four or five years and averages seven wins a season—without having a losing season—he'd have done one thing he said he'd do when he arrived.

Leave as the coach with the most wins in South Carolina history.

But, one other point the fan made really struck me. He went on to say if he averaged seven wins a season, and didn't have a losing season, he'd be the only coach at South Carolina to do so.

Therefore, a success.

That really got me thinking.

How do we define success?

Right now, Saban ranks (in terms of success on the field) a little higher than Curry and Perkins because he made in through a regular season undefeated. But, on the other hand, Curry had a SECC in 1989.

I look at coaches who have had a losing season (DuBose, Shula) and consider them failures but DuBose has '99 on his resume.

South Carolina still has a glaring need for offensive lineman. Glaring. Anyone who follows SEC football knows that doesn't equal a successful recipe.

Another crazy thought?

I have South Carolina finishing third in the SEC East this fall. And, even with what I see as a record a game, maybe two, over .500 I thought that was a success when I realized where I had them finishing.

If that was Bama it would be abject failure.

And, Shula had 2005. We didn't lose that year 'til the LSU game in overtime.

 

[TerryP]

And, Shula had 2005. We didn't lose that year 'til the LSU game in overtime.

DuBose <strike>has</strike> had a ring.

 

[musso]

Didn't you take issue with my thoughts on Auburn last year?

hmmmm i don't remember. can you refresh my memory???

 

[TerryP]

hmmmm i don't remember. can you refresh my memory???

I'll run a search and see if I can find it. It may have not been you. I do recall several taking issue with my thoughts that Auburn was going to tank last year and a few that laughed at my forecast on Ole Miss.