Lowly Gamecocks have visored visions of glory: South Carolina has no history and no chance in the rough SEC. Sounds like a perfect fit for Steve Spurrier

Sporting News, The, Feb 18, 2005 by Matt Hayes

They unveiled the recent stadium Expansion at South Carolina last week, a shiny new addition with a fancy weight room, meeting rooms and--for the first time--a place to prominently display the program's trophies and tradition.

That case, as you might expect, doesn't take up too much space.

Want to know why Steve Spurrier is back in college football but at the opposite end from where he left? Look at that trophy case. Want to know why one of football's best coaches walked away from $5 million per year in the NFL to live in a hotel in Columbia, S.C., for the past 2 1/2 months while trying to convince 17-year-old kids that 100 years of futility doesn't mean the next four will follow suit? Look at that trophy case.

"They haven't done much here," Spurrier says. "That doesn't mean it can't change."

It wasn't that long ago that Spurrier and his wife, Jerri, were sitting in their living room in Virginia. Snow was falling, and reality was chasing it. He was uncertain about his future for the first time since 1979, when new Georgia Tech coach Bill Curry decided--in what has to be one of the more boneheaded personnel decisions--not to retain a young quarterbacks coach named Spurrier.

To this day, that single event, that fear of failure, drives Spurrier. It drove that moment last winter in Virginia, too.

"We looked at each other and said, 'What are we doing?' "Jerri says. "He's found that fire again."

In South Carolina, of all places. And it just doesn't look right. What made Spurrier who he was as head coach at Florida, his alma mater, was his loyalty to and passion for the school. Think of the most obnoxious, fanatical fan, and then give him the best offensive mind in the game and set him loose. No wonder he won so many games.

But now he's selling South Carolina, which in the body of work that is college football is somewhere near the armpit. No tradition, no history, just--as former coach Lou Holtz said--a culture of losing. In other words, the perfect place to rebound after flopping in the NFL.

"I admit it--it beat me down," Spurrier says of his two years with the Redskins. "I did a lousy job. I was embarrassed for myself the way I attempted to coach. And I won't do it again, I can assure you of that."

Coaching in the NFL isn't about taking chances; it's about playing percentages. It isn't about motivating players to perform beyond expectations; it's about baby-sitting and massaging egos. It is, more than anything, everything Spurrier isn't.

That's why he has that pep in his step again for the first time in three years. Why, for the first time in just about ever, he's bragging about a recruiting class that is ranked among the top 25 in the nation. The lowest point of humility, it seems, is the first step toward rejuvenation.

He used money earmarked for his salary to lure and hire an impressive staff, which includes four former Division I-A defensive coordinators, and has been motivated by South Carolina's rabid fan base and the university's unwavering commitment to football. The new weight room is for football only, and the 70-yard indoor training facility is as impressive as any in the nation.

Spurrier is humble and reserved, a long throw from his days at Florida. He doesn't have a quarter-back yet, and he's talking about his offensive line and renewed commitment from talented tailback Demetris Summers. Says the Gamecocks might just be a running team.

Then the subject of Tim Frisby, South Carolina's 39-year-old walk-on receiver, is mentioned. The same walk-on wonder who schmoozed with Jay Leno and David Letterman, yet barely sniffed the field.

"We're going to get him a catch this year," Spurrier says with an I-know-something-you-don't look.

Thank goodness there's room in that trophy case.

They're going to need it.

speed reads

Got to hand it to Pete Carroll, who continues to persuade high school All-Americans to go to USC and sit on the bench behind other high school All-Americans. But at some point, won't all those egos clash? Uh, yes.

FOX paid less than ABC to televise the BCS games, but BCS honchos made up for the loss last week by signing the Orange, Sugar and Fiesta Bowls to a contract that increases team payouts from $16 million to $17 million in 2006 and up to $18.5 million by 2009. Why did the bowls agree to dig deeper into their own pockets? Because the BCS honchos told them to. For anyone waiting for the death of the BCS, forget it.

Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer joined the elite group of coaches making $2 million per year, three of which are from the SEC; the others are Florida's Urban Meyer and Auburn's Tommy Tuberville. Here's a sick thought: Had Nick Saban not left LSU, one-third of the SEC's football coaches would make at least $2 million per year.

INSIDE DISH

Texas officials aren't thrilled top quarterback recruit Ryan Perrilloux backed off a verbal| commitment and signed with LSU, but he had good reasons for his choice. Perrilloux was concerned that star QB Vince Young has two years of eligibility remaining and that Young hasn't progressed in the passing game after three years in Texas' system. Young is more of a runner than a thrower, and Perrilloux is the opposite. Another factor: LSU incumbent QB JaMarcus Russell had elbow surgery after the season and might not be ready until fall camp. * Eugene Monroe, the nation's top offensive line recruit, likely will start out at guard for Virginia. But don't expect the 6-6,320-pounder to stay there past his freshman season. The staff says Monroe is a natural left tackle, but three-year starter D'Brickashaw Ferguson will continue playing there next season. A season at guard will develop Monroe's run blocking skills. * Washington coach Tyrone Willingham's best move this offseason was hiring Tim Lappano as offensive coordinator. Lappano is one of college football's best offensive minds, working most recently on Dennis Erickson's staff at Oregon State. Lappano left for the NFL with Erickson after the 2002 season, even though he had become one of the hot assistant coaches in the game and a potential head coach candidate. * Two months after locking up coach Jeff Tedford with a multiyear deal, California announced plans to refurbish Memorial Stadium--a key factor in the negotiations with Tedford. Tedford stated the school couldn't legitimately recruit against the rest of the Pac-10 with substandard facilities. Now here's the problem: The stadium plan doesn't include any word on costs, status of fundraising or--more important--a working timetable. Tedford has a buyout clause in his contract if the renovation isn't complete by a specific date. * More proof that recruiting never ends: Tennessee had a consensus top five recruiting class and already has oral commitments from two top juniors: OT Jacques McClendon of Chattanooga and TE/DE Lee Smith of Powell, Tenn. Meanwhile, Matt Bosher, the nation's top junior kicker, has committed to Miami. * Washington State QB Josh Swogger is ahead of schedule in recovering from foot surgery but likely will be limited in spring practice. Even though Alex Brink played well at times in the last five games of the season as Swogger's replacement, Swogger will be the incumbent when fall drills begin.