As the article says Spurrier is just stating the obvious. Trouble is McElwain usually refrains from stating the obvious to the extent that Will Grier left the program because Mac wouldn't pre-annoint him as the starter once he returned from suspension.
Well if I were the Gators Head Coach I wouldn't be especially happy with that statement by SOS. I'd be happy to be able to chat with him about things when I wanted to but not to have to deal with him making comments like that to the media. BTW speaking of Will Grier he's engaged to a hot former Tampa Bay Buc's cheerleader and going to be a father....of course as is the tradition these days they aren't married yet. :? :? :?
Like I am saying it is not Coach Mac's style to lay it all out there. Spurrier however wears everything on his sleeve.... always speaks his mind. Two very contrasting styles. Hope they can mesh together somehow. Spurrier in a limited capacity and McElwain as the HBC.
Well if I'm McElwain, I'm not very happy and the more things Spurrier says to the press about my program the more I'm unhappy. But he's in a tough spot, he really can't publically do anything about it, as Spurrier is a legend and he's had 1 year as a Gator. If I'm McElwain, I see the relationship as Steve has his office over there and if he want's to stop by and chat now and then great, but it's my program and it's my ass on the line and I was hired to be the HC and I'd just as soon SOS STFU
"If I'm McElwain, I see the relationship as Steve has his office over there and if he want's to stop by and chat now and then great, but it's my program and it's my ass on the line and I was hired to be the HC and I'd just as soon SOS STFU" ..... agreed that SOS should not be offering up his opinions about team specifics publicly. It might be damn near impossible for him not to do so however. [/quote]
Tom, I'm not sure that Spurrier wants to coach the team, but if you put a microphone in front of him he may say anything so it's not so much about power as it is about controlling a loose cannon. MCG, if I'm MacElwain, I think I go to the AD and lay it on the line. Either he controls Spurrier's mouth (impossible) or I start looking for a new job. In all honesty, I think this move just sabotaged Mac's tenure. Like was said above, Spurrier is an icon, Mac is a second year coach. :shock:
I believe that Spurrier said it looks like Del Rio is the starter, not announced that he was. Personally I believe that Spurrier and Mac will get along very well.
Just for the record Gator fans that I know have none of the apprehensions. Mac has already put his stamp on the program with facilities that he wants and even changed the size of the indoor practice field before he even showed up. I fully expect him to thrive at Florida.
Foley announced his retirement before all this developed with Spurrier coming back. But the word is he facilitated it all. The rumor is that we will know Foley's replacement before the seasons starts.
I know right? Little did anyone know that the last controversial win for the Vols would put an 11 year hex on em. A solid whipping of the Gators by the Vols could/would end all of that bad karma.
I think some of you are reading or manufacturing a lot into this. Spurrier is a legend at Florida not just because he was a coach but he was a star player. We have loved him since the middle 60's. Mac has captured most Gator fans that I know and he will be coaching the Gators on Steve Spurrier Field on Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. I don't see any of that affecting him, he is a high quality person with a lot of self confidence.
Kp I doubt anyone knows for sure how this arrangement will turn out because there is potential for all sorts of good and bad outcomes alike. I'm thinking most Gator fans are happy Steve is back with our program and feel that's where he belongs. Whether or not he can remain happy while not interfering and angering Coach Mac too much is open for debate but I think most fans feel it's worth the risk.
MCG, you can get by thinking most Gator fans are happy as most are ecstatic and still love the Old Ball Coach.
Let's call this RealClear Gator politics: :wink: https://www.seccountry.com/florida/jim-mcelwain-florida-oc-plan-to-pick-steve-spurriers-brain
Well reading that article that MCG linked it appears that everybody is happy and hopeful to use SOS as a resource. That much I can understand, it's the new deal in CFB, having non-coaching staff around to help the coaches. Alabama has 20 or 30 guys on their staff who help the coaches, many of them are former coaches and the rest of them are guys who are hoping to move to on the field coaching. Sort of like guys who start in the NFL as film analysts and stuff like that. That's how Charlie Weis got started in coaching, and Saban has his son, Charlie Jr, on the Alabama staff. But those guys never see a microphone and never meet with a reporter, that's going to be the challenge for SOS, be a resource but let McElwain be the voice of the program. Heck at most programs even the Coordinators rarely get a microphone in front of them.
Good point Terry.... SOS is quite a media target... and will always be asked questiuons when he is accessible.
Thanks MCG, that article pretty much sums up the way I think most Gators feel about this. Also it shows Coach Mac as pretty much the guy I think he is. I still have the strong feeling we hit the jackpot with him.