I really like this guy. Reading this article on ESPN makes me like him even more. He's unique and of course very quotable. I like this especially in a day when coaches all seem to think that working 80 hours a week is the min that you need to do for success. The thought that you can outwork the other guy is pervasive in coaching. I've seen ND fans get upset if a coach and his family are on vacation in the summer and some recruit shows up at the Ath Dept and there isn't anybody there to talk to him. How dare the coach take his family on vacation, couldn't he have altered his vacation plans to meet with this recruit. Old Ball Coach [/quote]
Thanks, Terry. It's a very nice article that was the final influence in turning my opinion of him to one of complete respect. Going back almost 50 years (whew!), I didn't care for him only because he beat out Bob Griese for the Heisman. Over the years I've softened, helped by the knowledge of his close friendship with Lou Holtz. After reading this article, my hat is off to him with respect and admiration. I can see why Florida fans feel about him the way I feel about Holtz.
I recall him explaining once his vote in the coaches poll and why he had ND lower than others had them. He replied that he always knocks them down a bit. That's all I needed to know.
Opps Terry I missed this and posted the article myself, I will remove it. But here's a couple of quotes I included.
Yeah he's something else... I still remember that game that was on Television that he alternated Jesse Palmer and some other Gator QB on every play. The announcers weren't sure what to think.
Gipper, the only comment I will make to you is that apparently Lou Holtz didn't let that little jab Spurrier made affect his feelings about Spurrier. They are good friends, Holtz was instrumental in getting Spurrier to go to S. Carolina and the most important thing between them is that Spurrier was instrumental in getting Holtz's wife into Shands Hospital when she needed treatment a number of years ago. But we are all entitled to our own opinion and I respect yours.
I look at it this way, college football is about the game, trust, sportsmanship etc... But it's also entertainment at its core and Spurrier knows how to entertain.
Terry, although Spurrier alternated QB's a bit into the next season the time it really got the attention was against FSU in 1997 in a game where it cost FSU as shot at the NC. They were unbeaten coming into our game that year and Spurrier rotated Doug Johnson and Noah Brindise. Johnson hit a long pass late in the game to set up the winning td as the Gators upset a highly favored FSU team 32-29. http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-11-23/sports/9711230029_1_noah-brindise-florida-quarterbacks-gator-flop
Yeah a lot of ND people don't like Spurrier because of the way he's voted in the coaches poll. I don't think he takes that poll seriously and really think he should give up his vote. But other than that I like the guy, I must admit I haven't always liked him but over time I've grown to appreciate his sense of humor and the way he pokes at the establishment.
Must be hard to explain all those Gator helmets to potential recruits that are being recruited by both SouCar and UF.
Yep.... you could sure tell whose handicap was lower vs. whose back hurt from sleeping on the office couch.... :lol: