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Spurrier says hold the praise
Gamecocks coach wants a little more production from his young stars
Stephon Gilmore has been on campus three months and already might be the Gamecocks' best cornerback. Steve Spurrier says he wants to find time to get Gilmore on offense as well.
Gerry Melendez/gmelendez@thestate.com
CommentsAIKEN — Speaking to a Gamecock Club meeting here on Tuesday night, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said too many players were praised before they did anything on the field — and it needed to stop.
In the case of Stephon Gilmore, however, even Spurrier made an exception.
“Stephon Gilmore is one of the best football players to ever come to South Carolina,” Spurrier said before the meeting, while meeting with reporters. “I really believe that. I can brag about him because it won’t affect him.”
Gilmore is an early enrollee from Rock Hill who earned a starting cornerback spot as a freshman during spring ball. But Spurrier reiterated that he wants to find a place for Gilmore on offense.
While he had nothing but praise for Gilmore, the coach finished his speech to the Savannah River Region Gamecock Club by talking about the need to keep his player’s egos in check. If quarterback Stephen Garcia eventually earns some kudos, Spurrier said he wants it to be after he leads the team to late, game-winning touchdowns in SEC games.
“We need more performance, less praise, less talk, and let’s see how we do on the field,” Spurrier said. “Let the action on the field do all the talking.”
Those words also tied into a few other personnel situations affecting Spurrier’s team:
• Defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye, suspended indefinitely during spring practice after a marijuana arrest, is doing well academically, according to Spurrier. But the coach did not address whether or when Ajiboye will return to the team.
Spurrier did not have an update on another suspended player, defensive back C.C. Whitlock.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” Spurrier said.
• On the heels of seven Gamecocks being picked in the NFL draft, Spurrier brought up safety Emanuel Cook, who went undrafted. The junior was projected to go no higher than the fourth round, according to Spurrier, but chose to leave anyway.
“We’ve all got choices to make in life. We can show them all the facts, but players make the choice of what’s best for them,” Spurrier said.
Spurrier vs. Horn. Spurrier and men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn gave each other some good-natured ribbing over their Gamecock Club membership situations: Spurrier being a member and Horn not.
When all club members were asked to stand, Spurrier did and then pointed at Horn, who remained seated. When it was Horn’s turn to speak, he retaliated by pointing out that if he joins this week — which he planned to do — he will have joined after 13 months on the job.
“Coach, you’re starting your what season?” Horn said with a smile at Spurrier, who is entering his fifth at USC and smiled back at Horn.
During his speech, Spurrier pointed out the various money he had given to the school. Then he turned serious, going back to his joining the club at a giving level of $3,300.
“I’m telling you that not to brag,” Spurrier said. “I’m at the University of South Carolina. I’m committed to it. I’m not just passing through.”
Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.
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