Steve Spurrier

[Durango53]

Steve Spurrier has told University of Florida officials that he is interested in discussing a possible return to coach the Gators, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Wednesday night.


In addition, Florida officials have now given Spurrier two weeks to determine if he wants the job, although no formal offer has been given and no details such as salary have been discussed, Mortensen reports.

The Florida job opened Monday when coach Ron Zook was fired after two-plus years. Zook and his staff will finish out the season; according to one report, the university will buy out Zook's contract at $450,000 for each of the remaining years.

[Durango53]

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Steve Spurrier won't return to coach the Florida Gators.



Spurrier removed his name from consideration Thursday to replace Ron Zook, who was fired last week after the latest in a series of embarrassing losses. Zook was hired at Florida after the 2001 season, when Spurrier left the Gators to coach the Washington Redskins.



"When I departed three years ago, there were several reasons why I believed it was time to move on," Spurrier said in a statement released by the school. "Other than simply wanting to coach in the NFL someday, I also believed that 12 years at Florida was probably long enough. Many people in football believe that around 10-12 years in the same job is about the maximum time a coach should stay."

[duckboy]

I know the Washington Huskies really want him.

[Yellow Dog]

There has been much talk around here that he will replace Lou Holtz next year at South Carolina. If you read behind the lines, Holtz certainly was hinting at retirement during his post game comments following last week's win over Arkansas. He even mentioned that he would love to see Spurrier as his successor when the time comes.

Reports indicate that sources close to Spurrier say he will be coaching next year in college and that Carolina is most likely the place where he'll be. I would love to see it for several reasons. It would really heat up our rivalry with them, not that it needs it, but at least it would make it more of a competitive one. And since I don't like Spurrier, it would make beating them even more sweet. Also, I think Columbia is one of the toughest places in the country to win (Holtz has a losing record into his 6th season) and it would be interesting to see if Spurrier could indeed be more successful in that environment.

It's hard to say what he will do, but based on a lot of reports I'm reading and comments I'm hearing, USC certainly seems a likely scenario for the old ball coach. Although the program is in much better shape than it was when he took over, Lou Holtz could not break the "chicken curse." And I, for one, would love to see Spurrier try his hand at it.

[rockin500]

I think he would be very successful at SC. he has been a winner everywhere he went in college and changed the losing culture of the teams he coached.

national title challenger? i dont know, but he would be an upper tier bowl every year IMO.

[chris867]

i believe there are 3 schools in the running SOUTH CAROLINA,CLEMSON,& NORTH CAROLINA

[Yellow Dog]

You can scratch Clemson from that list. Tommy Bowden's buy out is way to expensive for Clemson to consider a coaching change for several years. After last season they committed to him long term and I think he will be here for the duration of that contract. They virtually made it impossibe to fire him or for him to leave before then. I know some of the national media have reported that he is on the proverbial hot seat, but take it from me, that's not the case at all.

And with the improvement that UNC has made under John Bunting this year, I don't see them making a change either.

I think the most likely scenario is for him to be at South Carolina next year. It just amazes me how many Gamecock fans seem to hope he doesn't come. I can't understand that. As poor as their program has been for so long you would think they'd be welcoming him with open arms if Lou steps down.

[rockin500]

Gamecock fans are goofballs if they dont want him to come there. he brings instant credibility, a great offense, and WINNING.

[rockin500]

ESPN confirmed a report in the Tennesseean that Spurrier has agreed in principle to be the coach of the Gamecocks next year.

[Yellow Dog]

Well its now offical. Spurrier was introduced as the new Carolina coach just a little while ago. I've just gotten through listening to the live press conference on our local sports station.

I wish him luck but he said a couple of things that really cracked me up, including one of the all-time understatements in the history of college football. He kept saying that for whatever reason USC had "never quite made it to the top."

NEVER MADE QUITE MADE IT TO THE TOP? Hell, they've barely ever gotten off the foot of the mountain. They rarely ever have a winning season. They've won three bowl games in their entire existence of 100+ seasons, two of those were their Outback Bowls vitcories over Ohio State in '00-'01 and they'd never won a bowl game prior to '94.

Lou Holtz, who is one of the most successful and winningest coaches in history, had a losing record in his 6 years there. When he was hired in Dec. '98 it was said, "if Holtz can't win there, nobody can!" Now I guess they are bringing Spurrier in to see if he confirm that.

Again, I wish him luck and hope he is successful (except against us). But the 'ole ball coach really has his work cut out for him this time.

[rockin500]

i think he will do a good job. He will be able to recruit from the entire southeast. He will be able to steal recruits from the florida region. His style of offense is very enticing to a buncha recruits.

he's not making a lot of money (comparitively speaking) but i guess he does get a membership to augusta. lol