Steve Spurrier Resigns
 

Steve Spurrier resigned today as the Head Coach of the Florida Gators. It is rumored he will be taking over the position as Minnesota Vikings head coach

Spurrier
 

I just heard the news myself. The most hated coach in college football might be going pro. Interesting! :)

I know EVERYBODY in the SEC is doing a happy dance!!!!!

Roll Tide!!!!

NOOOOOOOO!!! Well, there goes our winning streak. It was fun while it lasted, anyway.

Darnit, half the reason I went to UF was so I could meet the guy, and I never managed it. Oh, well.:(

THAT IS THE BEST DAMN NEWS I HEARD ALL DAY! I cannot stand that whiny, visor wearing man.

I guess he couldn't live with the fact that Phillip Fulmer and the Vols finally beat him in the Swamp :D

Oh well, count me as one of the people doing the happy dance :cool:

Sorry, ladies, I just had to chuckle. I can't believe that all girls have responded to this thread so far! :)

ROTFL!!!!!

I'm laughing because he's 99% of the reason my boyfriend likes Florida (I'm a HUGE FSU fan). Can't wait to see what poor NFL city gets stuck with his antics.

As my t-shirt says "Will Rogers said "I never met a man I didn't like"

Back of shirt "WIll Rogers never met Steve Spurrier"

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!! I want that shirt, KarenC725. Where on earth did you find it? :D

OMG!!!! I cannot believe this! Steve Superior (he thinks he is any way) is a man that I love to hate. Now I have no direction for my hatred. :(

My fondest memory is when LSU beat Florida (I think that they were #1) a few years ago. I took great joy in watching that man take that visor and throw it on the ground. He then turned a shade of red that I didn't think possible for a human to accomplish. :)

KarenC - I love the shirt too.

ROFLMAO!

Steve "Superior":rolleyes: is a piece of human garbage, but he just may end up in the NFL. If that happens, he probably will replace "Stalag" Tom Coughlin at Jacksonville.

I'm a Gator fan but, like many other Gator fans, I find Steve Spurrier to be annoying. He's a great coach but that's about it. Even the UF students make fun of him. Two years ago, at Gator Growl, they had in their video Steve Spurrier doing his little finger waving/pointing thing that he does whenever he gets angry. It was so funny because they had several different shots of him doing this at different football games.

Interesting scenario....
 

ESPN--well Lee Corso just stated that Spurrier will probably go to Tampa Bay & Tony Dungy will go to the Vikings, since Denny Green is out.

We'll see. I personally think that Spurrier is a great coach, his attitude just sux!!!!!

The Redskins Want Him too
 

The Washington Redskins intend to pursue Steve Spurrier, who abruptly resigned as the University of Florida's head football coach today to pursue a coaching job in the National Football League, as a possible successor to Coach Marty Schottenheimer, NFL sources said.

Schottenheimer is completing the first season of a four-year, $10 million contract as the Redskins' head coach and director of football operations. But he has not said whether he would want to remain as coach if Redskins owner Daniel Snyder hires a general manager in the offseason. Snyder tried but failed to hire Spurrier during the last offseason, and sources said today that the Redskins likely would fire Schottenheimer if they are able to land Spurrier this time around.

But that does not necessarily mean that Schottenheimer will be fired as coach on the heels of the Redskins' disappointing season. The Redskins will have plenty of competition for Spurrier. The San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings have head coaching vacancies, and prospective job openings in Jacksonville and Tampa Bay almost certainly would put those Florida teams at or near the top of Spurrier's list.

The Redskins hope the connection between Spurrier and Pepper Rodgers will help bring Spurrier to Washington. Rodgers, a longtime college coach who now serves as the Redskins' vice president of football operations, was an assistant coach at Florida when Spurrier played there. Rodgers had Spurrier on his coaching staff as the head coach at Georgia Tech. The two have remained close, and Spurrier once gave Rodgers a game ball-with the inscription, "To my coach" following a big Florida victory over Georgia.

Both Snyder and Rodgers attended Florida's 56-23 win over the University of Maryland on Wednesday in the Orange Bowl. Sources said the Redskins had not been negotiating with Spurrier and were surprised by today's announcement, but they added that team officials were excited to see Spurrier become available.

Snyder had Spurrier and another big-name coach, Bill Parcells, at the top of his wish list last offseason. But neither would take the job and the Redskins instead hired Schottenheimer, who had taken his teams to the playoffs in 11 of his previous 14 seasons as an NFL head coach. Still, sources said that Snyder remained intrigued with the possibility of hiring Spurrier even after getting Schottenheimer. Snyder, who was vacationing with his family in Florida today, repeatedly has refused to comment publicly on his plans for the offseason.

Spurrier's contract at Florida was to run through the 2006 season but contained a clause giving him a window of time following each season to leave for an NFL coaching job. Those who know him say he probably would prefer to remain in Florida but he likely would not rule out the Redskins. One Spurrier associate said that Spurrier once considered accepting the Tampa Bay coaching job but rejected it because he did not receive an assurance that the Buccaneers, at the time, were financially sound enough to remain in Florida. He is an avid golfer and does not like to spend long hours in the office, and he probably would not demand total control over an NFL team's football operation.

Snyder granted Schottenheimer such total control last January. But Schottenheimer has acknowledged that his contract gives Snyder the full authority to hire a general manager. According to sources, Snyder's candidates to become GM include former Redskins and Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard; Oakland Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen, the son of late Redskins coach George Allen; Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian; and former Green Bay Packers GM Ron Wolf. Snyder seems particularly interested in Beathard, who helped to build three Redskins teams that made Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s.

Schottenheimer's contract, according to sources, would give him the final say on player-related decisions if he were to disagree with a new GM. But Schottenheimer repeatedly has refused to say what his reaction would be to such a move by Snyder.

There also is a potential clash looming over Schottenheimer's assistant coaches. There is sentiment within the organization for offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye to be replaced. But Schottenheimer has said he has no plans to make changes among his coaches, and sources say his contract gives him the final say over his staff.

Schottenheimer would forfeit the remaining approximately $7.5 million owed to him by the Redskins under his contract if he resigns, and he would have to receive written permission from Snyder to take a job with another NFL team. The Redskins would have to pay Schottenheimer that money if they fire him. That would make firing Schottenheimer and hiring Spurrier a costly maneuver, but those who know Snyder say that giving the Redskins the best chance to win – not finances – will dictate the decision.

Spurrier, a former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, had a record of 122-27-1 in 12 seasons as Florida's coach. He had nine seasons with 10 or more wins, including a 10-2 mark in the season that ended Wednesday. He led the Gators to six Southeastern Conference championships and a national title in 1996. He impressed NFL types with his competitiveness and sophisticated passing offense, but he angered opponents with his brash style.

decent
 

After I read all of these posts directing such violent hatred at a man, for the most part, none of you have ever met, I just had to add my two cents.

I actually know Coach personally. I've been a Gator Guide for 4 years, we're the squad that assists in the football recruiting. He's a very honest, funny, caring man. I realize many people don't have the opportunity to know him as I have, but I just want to let you all know from someone who actually does. Before you sling your words about him, maybe you should all step back and think if you don't have something nice to say don't say it. Besides, the only reason most people don't like him is because he took UF from losing to winning, and of course that means he probably beat your favorite teams in the process.

Additionally, Coach runs a clean recruiting program at Florida, which is more than I can say for some of the other schools. So, while I realize you are all doing the happy dance, which you are fully entitled to do, take a moment for the rest of us who are saddened by this news and maybe do your happy dance quietly.

Thanks,
Tara

---to practice day by day
love, honor, truth---

Re: Interesting scenario....
 

That would be really interesting if Dungy were to go to the Vikings, considering that he and Dennis Green are close. I wonder will Green end up back at Stanford -- after all, they have an opening.;)

Man, am I the first guy to respond to this...girls, I'm impressed...

I am definitely not a Steve Spurrier fan - can't stand the guy. He had a hell of a run at Florida though. His offense worked, and he was able to get guys like Danny Weurfel to have huge seasons. He won. I'm not a big fan of the guy at all, but he won, and he did a lot for the program.

As far as NFL jobs - he always said he wanted to coach in Tampa, and he almost got the job in 95 before they gave it to Tony Dungy. It looks like Dungy's out in Tampa, and there's a good chance he may go to coach in Minnesota (he was the defensive coordinator there for a while, and was a QB at the University of Minnesota), so when he goes, Spurrier may not have to travel far for his first NFL job. I honestly don't think Spurrier's going to want to coach in Washington and work for Dan Snyder (Spurrier had a lot of power at Florida, and should he go to Washington his only power would be to coach).

Collin

Re: decent
 

Hey Tara,

I don't think anyone really "hates" Spurrier... It's just that he comes off so cocky and abrasive on camera, and there have been SO many stories told about him that it's very difficult to not believe some of them. I personally was very turned off by his temper tantrums on the sidelines of games that I've watched in the past.

My team, Georgia Tech, doesn't play Florida so I don't have a stake in his leaving or staying in any way, shape or form. And I do cheer for Florida when they play teams that GA Tech is rivals with, such as UGA and FSU, so it's not even that I dislike the team or have anything against the University of Florida sports program itself. I just don't like Spurrier's style that he portrays in front of the media. That's my opinion, and it is one shared by many, many people... Florida fans and non-Florida fans alike.

I understand that you have your opinion, too, and I do respect it. :) But please try not to take GCers' comments about him so personally. I think everyone is making their posts rather tongue-in-cheek and I don't think that anyone meant to be cold-heartedly disrespectful. In fact, I think we all pretty much agree that he's done a fabulous job as coach. It's his attitude in the public eye that people tend to find fault with and, unfortunately for him, that's why he's gotten a bad rep over the years.

Beat me to it dzrose!

In sports, there are teams, coaches, cities that have rivalries. Therefore, supporters of those teams, coaches, cities naturally do not like the rival. No one is hoping anything bad happens to him, but you have to admit that he has made his own reputation. He knows it. It doesn't take away from the fact that he made the team what it is and made them winners. Some of his actions and more appropriately reactions take away from that sometimes though.

i agree
 

Ok, so lemme restate what I meant and maybe didn't exactly state clearly in the midst of my emotional reaction. :)

I understand Coach has made several displays that many people found unacceptable. I'm not trying to defend him. I just saw several people calling he, Steve Spurrier, the person, deragatory names etc. which offended me as it would if people posted a thread with any other friend of mine's name and nasty remarks. I understand the good humored jabs we all take at the rival team, but when we start being offensive and tactless about another human being I don't find that acceptable.

So, not trying to be defensive, just wanted to add a different spin on the topic and let people around the country know that there are people who know him, like him, and are sad he's leaving his position.

Tara

---to practice day by day
love, honor, truth---

Let me just say...Im completely stoked that Steve is getting the hello out of Florida. I am also elated that his last year with Univ of Florida he got spanked by Tennessee (yes Im partial, but zip it hehe).

For the person who said she knew Steve Spurrier personally...I offer my condolences. I twirled in the UT Band for 4 years and I have to tell you - the trips to the swamp were scary and horrible. Fans threw glass bottles of URINE at us...screamed obscenities (or however you spell it)...even the guys on the team would rough their way around us - pushing us -sometimes down on the ground - just to get around us at halftime. Im sorry but when a 300lbs guy pushes a 115 lb girl on the ground, and the coach looks and laughs...there is nothing "honest, funny, caring" about him. The female band members and cheerleaders had to be surrounded by police or other male members at all times because of the fear that is known as Florida football.

I hope that now he is leaving...some respect, grace, and positive attitudes will somehow be reinstated in the Florida football team.

Oh yeah, I thought it was reported that he wants to go to Jacksonville Jaguars.

Also, I hope Florida will now be able to play some more...how should I say...challenging games. Everyone always brags about how awesome the team is...and yes they do play well. But they choose a joke of a schedule. I mean how challenging is playing LA Monroe or MTSU...lol. come on! Maybe with a new coach..he will want to really earn a title.

Please note, I know everyone at the University of Florida does not participate in the type of mean/cruel behavior I have experienced. I am not generalizing the entire state of Florida hehe. I usually root for everyone in the SEC BUT Florida...I hope now with a new coach, I can add them to the list.

Please dont jump on me - Im just giddy from the news :)

Well..let's see...Atlanta Falcons just got a new owner...hmmm...the new owner owns Home Depot..orange vests...hmmm...Steve won't have to change his colors, just the letters...hmmm


The 2 most irritating college coaches, to me, are Steve Spurrier and Joe Paterno. Like the others, I have never met them, I can only go by what I see on TV and read in the papers...but, they might not like me if they met me..oh well..not gonna lose any sleep over either one of them.

Hey, Gators, George O'Leary is available!

Re: Re: Steve Spurrier Resigns
 

I dont think he is going anywhere but the NFL

MY condolences
 

Sarah,

Don't throw stones...

UF trips to UT are equally as scary. I assure you. In fact we were not allowed to go as a squad because UT fans were so cruel with bottles, etc. Again, that is the fans and players. I'm sure Coach himself didn't shove you to the ground nor did he throw bottles of urine on you. I stand at the tunnel where the players go to the locker room and there's several reasons the players run off the field in the manner they do. I DO NOT condone the actions you speak of and am sorry you had such experiences in our stadium, however, my upset was at the posts personally attacking a man whom most people didn't know.

We are all entitled to our opinion, but I think all of us who have been to SEC away games have our own horror stories to tell!

Tara

last message
 

Ok, this is my last message on here. My intent wasn't to argue with anyone, I hope no offenses were made...I simply wanted to provide some info on the subject, which I did. It is obviously something that is very close to my heart and I'm a little too attached to not get emotional. So say what you will, I won't respond to anymore posts! On to more happy things, like my sorority....:)

Love to all,
Tara

---to practice day by day
love, honor, truth---

I am not throwing stones. I was merely stating my opinion, and apparently the opinions of a lot of other people.

Like I am sure you read....I stated "Please note, I know everyone at the University of Florida does not participate in the type of mean/cruel behavior I have experienced. I am not generalizing the entire state of Florida".

I find it hard to believe anyone was terrorized the home of the vols - or any other stadium besides the swamp - but I wont get into that.

Just as you think Steve is an awesome guy...there are people who dont. No biggie - I will still watch the games and still spend my vacations in Florida :)

I hope I didnt make you angry Tara, I was just giving opinon - and I hope you can somehow respect mine as I do yours
:) I think we are both attached to our teams - and Im sorry if I got too heated

All I can say is go DAWGS! Now if that dumba$$ Bowden ever leaves FSU the college sports world would be a great place. At least FSU got their butts stomped this year which made me happy.:D

i can say go dawgs - all my exs are from GA...and so is my brother ;)

my top pics...would be

ut (duh)
lsu
georgia


thats it for now :)

I'm biased but I don't consider finishing #15 in the country getting their butts stomped. As long as they finished higher than Michigan (20) I didn't care.

USA TODAY/ESPN TOP 25

1. Miami (Fla.) (60)
2. Oregon
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Texas
6. Oklahoma
7. Nebraska
8. LSU
9. Colorado
10. Maryland
11. Washington State
12. Illinois
13. South Carolina
14. Syracuse
15. Florida State 8
16. Louisville
17. Stanford
18. Virginia Tech
19. Washington
20. Michigan
21. Marshall
22. Toledo
23. Boston College
24. Brigham Young
25. Georgia

who said that? i think michigan is an awesome team! my ratings were strictly sec :)

I live in Michigan and am surrounded by maize and blue in my family. I am a fan of anyone but Michigan football. Lloyd Carr is a good coach and the team is good I just don't like them for personal reasons.

Say what you want about Steve Spurrier, he was at the top of his game for so long and made UF a formidable threat for the SEC, as well as all of NCAA-IA football. Although I'm not a Gator, I'm a Floridian, I hate to see him go, but his replacement will be great.

Go Gators #3! GO Gators!

Oh yeah, for the person who said that s/he didn't think that such disgusting behavior could go on outside the Swamp...go to the Harvard-Yale game sometime. Yuk. :mad: Made the SEC battles of my youth seem tame in comparison.

5 Things that Define Spurrier's Tenure
 

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/sports/0105antics.html

Atlanta Journal-Consitution article in Sat. paper about Spurrier..note the word antics in the link...

Re: 5 Things that Define Spurrier's Tenure
 

Thanks for the url! This is what I will miss the most:
2. THE VISOR TOSS

It was bound to happen at least once every game. The cool, smug demeanor gone, Spurrier was the poster child for a 5-year-old in a temper tantrum when he'd slam his customary visor down to the ground in disgust during games. For those who didn't know Spurrier, this behavior only reinforced their opinions of him.

15th for Florida State is getting their butt kicked. They lost like 4 or 5 games. Thats the worst they have done in about 15 years.

All of the really good players for FSU that brought them to the National Championships graduated last year. Bowden almost has to build a team from scratch now that the leaders have graduated.

Re: decent
 

The fact that he basically ran a clean program says a lot. Most schools cannot say that.

Just for the record....FSU was 8-4. Yes it was our worst season in a long time but I consider it to be a rebuilding year. As ZTAngel said, it was a VERY young team.

As for Steve Spurrier, I was very shocked to hear that he was leaving and I can't imagine who they will get at UF to fill his shoes. I'm certainly not a gator fan and didn't care for Spurrier at all, but I actually thought he had kind of "mellowed" over the past couple of years. There had been a lot less visor throwing and you wouldn't see him on the sideline screaming obscenities every time they put the camera on him.

I think Dungy will be back in MN.

Green is supposedly taking atleast a year off. The terms of his buy out stated that if he coaches another team within 2 years, he will lose the money, it was like 4.2 or 5.2 mil over 2 years.