GoGamecocks.com
Let it Rip: Fans weigh in on USC football
Posted on 01.11.09
CommentsOne only has to watch or review the last three games the Gamecocks played, including the New Year’s Day debacle, to see that Steve Spurrier has lost his will or desire to win games.
From his shenanigans of single-quarterback Clemson game calling, to sub-par educational follow-up of his team, all points lead to a “has-been” coach that has lost what it takes to lead.
I’m sure he has lined up a multi-million dollar buyout so the embarrassing results mean no more to him than another paycheck.
Move on Steve. I’m sure Dr. Lou could use a nurse’s aid to assist with his weekly game calling.
CHUCK ARCHIE
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There comes a time when enough is enough. It is time for South Carolina to stop hiring old coaches ready for retirement.
When Lou Holtz came to USC, all we heard was national championship. That turned out to be a joke.
When Steve Spurrier came to USC, all we heard was a SEC championship. I think we all know by now that ain’t going to happen.
I am sure Spurrier is a great person and I like him, but his time as the Head Ball Coach is over. His time in the spotlight is over on the national scene.
As a fan for over 40 years, I am tired of losing and being embarrassed on TV. I would retire every one of the current coaches at USC and send out applications for young aggressive coaches that want to make a name and produce a winning team.
JERRY HUBBARD
Irmo
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Here’s hoping the Gamecock football team makes a sidetrip to Oz for an audience with the Wizard on the way back to Columbia following their dismal showing in the Outback Bowl. This appears to be the only way they have a chance of getting any heart.
This selfish, lackadaisical bunch couldn’t be motivated if you were to dig up Knute Rockne himself and ask him to deliver the pre-game speech. Of course, our Board of Trustees would no doubt then attempt to hire Rockne as our next coach.
In the wake of the Dietzel, Holtz, and Spurrier experiments, the hiring of yet another Hall of Fame coach on the downside of his career who would, as those who preceded him, be unable to duplicate the success he had at his previous school, seems logical.
JOE BRILEY
Mt. Pleasant
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After watching the performance by South Carolina this past year, I have come to the conclusion that the university needs “better facilities.” We need much more flash and glitter to attract even more of those spoiled, shallow, glitter-oriented players to come in with their collective senses of entitlement.
Then, when adversity strikes, they can give up, quit, throw tantrums (or commit personal fouls), blame coaches, teammates and everyone else but themselves and continue to contribute to our long tradition of mediocricy.
We could wind up like those poorer schools, such as Vanderbilt and Ball State, with inferior facilities that have to settle for those overlooked, hardworking young men of substance, character and intelligence who play primarily for the sake of their own passion, love for the game and devotion to their school, fans and teammates.
HAYNE DAVIS
Newberry
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I’m a long-time Gamecock fan who is agreeing with Ron Morris more and more these days.
I agree regarding coach Spurrier’s criticism and sometimes downright humiliation of his players. It is killing the program and his ability to bring in high-caliber offensive players.
I also believe he knows this and will change.
JIM DENNY
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With almost a month to prepare, where were the coaches of the Gamecocks in the Outback Bowl?
The play calling in the past three games was the worst in the history of the Gamecocks.
There is a major communication gap between the players and the coaches. Are our players so afraid to make a mistake they perform like this?
I am disappointed and mad that a program that had so much promise that has gone bad, and the worst thing is we do not seem to be doing anything about it. The coaches criticize the players to the media, the media prints the criticism, and we go round and round.
What ever happened to positive motivation, to making players disciplined and accept and learn from their mistakes? I cannot believe we are that bad.
Why don’t we have a quarterback that understands our system? Is it so complex no one gets it? Must be. I cannot believe we are that bad.
JIM WERTMAN
Batesburg
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Steve Spurrier remains a fine person and a Hall of Fame coach. Unfortunately, with three consecutive losses where the games were effectively over in the first quarter and after four years, it’s evident that we’ve hired the Steve Spurrier that coached the Washington Redskins and not the coach that led both Duke and Florida to conference and national championships, respectively.
JOHN COATES
Atlanta
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I felt compelled to speak out about Ron Morris’ article on the Outback Bowl. It was downright nasty.
It reminds me of a saying that I heard many years ago: “Why climb a tree to put someone down when you could stay on the ground and be compassionate.”
I would like to see more positive comments.
CAROLYN WILLIAMSON
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I agree that our teams have failed to take Clemson seriously for a number of years. I also agree their program is ahead of ours right now, although not as far as it could have been under more competent leadership. Clemson played against us this year like they were in a rivalry game. We played like we had the day off.
Why? Part of the reason is the following three foolish things that Steve Spurrier has done;
1. He has cheapened the rivalry by claiming that victories against Vanderbilt and Kentucky are more important than wins over our rival.
2. He chastised us for cheering a noble losing effort against a great Auburn team. In essence, he said that we shouldn’t encourage forward progress, no matter how gallant the effort, after a losing game.
3. Preseason 2007, he told us we were in position to compete for a conference championship. Surely, he knew he lacked a quarterback and offensive line!
Steve Spurrier has a lot to learn about motivation and public relations. I hope he has enough time left here to learn some of it.
CLIFFORD O. KOON, JR.
Columbia
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In order to catch up with Clemson or be competitive in the SEC, the first thing that must change is our mindset and attitude. We must learn to think with a winning attitude. Great attitude, great talent, and great coaching. All three together are unstoppable.
FRANK HARRITT
Denver
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Why doesn’t Ron Morris go crawl back into the miserable hole he came out from. It’s one thing to dog a team but to call them the Shamecocks in just poor taste.
GRAY MILLS
Rockingham, N.C.
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I went to USC for graduate school and my wife went to Clemson, but my heart is with my undergraduate program at Georgia Tech. When Paul Johnson came to Tech he recognized the importance of beating Georgia. He didn’t come in preaching about how important it was to win the ACC. He talked about Georgia.
Steve Spurrier has never seemed to understand the importance USC folks attach to beating Clemson. I promise you given the choice of beating Clemson or winning the SEC, most would take Clemson. Winning the SEC title and losing to Clemson would make the year meaningless to them.
If you beat Clemson, it means your program has a shot at the SEC. When Johnson came in he immediately put a “Beat Ga.” sign up in the locker room. I bet you won’t find a “Beat Clemson” sign anywhere in the USC locker room.
When USC beats Clemson consistently they will be contenders for the SEC. First things first.
BOB GAHAGAN
Columbia
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I think both Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier have been successful at USC.
I think Holtz was hired to turn around a moribund program because he was a proven CEO in all aspects of college football. Prospects wanted to play for Lou Holtz. He brought media attention and additional TV time for USC during his tenure. He also produced top-25 teams, teams that played in bowl games on New Year’s Day, and a team that beat Alabama in a memorable thriller.
I am aware of the downside, 0-11, WOE-vember football, NCAA violations. But overall, I say good for Lou.
Spurrier was hired to be Lou deja vu. We beat Tennessee and Florida.
I think both coaches have had two things in common.
The first is they prepared their teams to play the Georgia game, our perennial season-defining contest. The second is they did not prepare their teams to play Clemson, in our recurring, balloon-deflating, late season swoon.
I say good for Steve, too. He is still the guy who can tell his team the Clemson game matters, even though Carolina is bowl eligible.
KENT JENSEN
Cocoa, Fla.
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I’m glad someone has a grasp of the reality that is Carolina football. I keep coming back to the old definition of insanity — doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result.
Or, maybe it’s “Groundhog Day.”
DREW HANNAH
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The performance of Stephen Garcia in the Outback Bowl is the final examaination of his tryout. He will never make it as an SEC quarterback.
Garcia lacks the ability to see the entire field and select the best option. He locks on to his primary receiver, and if that receiver is covered, Garcia tends to scramble and try to make something.
I served 30 years in the U.S. Army. We had officers who could look at a terrain map, visualize it in their minds in a three dimensional basis and deploy troops and equipment to make the best use of the terrain. Few officers had or have that innate ability. It cannot be learned.
The great quarterbacks have that ability to visualize the set of the defense and to take advantage of it, whether passing to a secondary receiver, rolling out or in some cases simply throwing it away. Garcia will never be that kind of quarterback and Spurrier should encourage Garcia to go elsewhere.
ANGELO PERRI
Columbia
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As an avid fan of Carolina, I don’t understand why we can’t get ahead in any sport other then baseball. We have the fan base, we have the coaches, we have a great facility, but we can’t get a break.
I heard many years ago that there was the curse of the Gamecock. Call me crazy but I think it is time we change our mascot.
We need to build confidence in our players. That is why Florida is successful; their confidence level is unbelievable. So my is suggestion is we become the Lions. Think about it.
MICHELE RAEUBER
Jacksonville, Fla.
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