Trash talk between coaches at USC-Clemson a thing of the past
Steve Spurrier and Dabo Swinney enjoyed taking jabs at each other’s programs whenever given the opportunity, but don’t expect the same banter between new South Carolina coach Will Muschamp and the Tigers’ coach.
The two made their second public appearance together at the South Carolina Coaches for Charity event in Greenville on Tuesday night, and there was no ribbing while they were on stage answering questions.
Swinney and Muschamp said they’re focused on winning games and not worried about talking trash.
“I’m worried about South Carolina. I’m not worried about anybody else,” Muschamp said when asked about the Tigers and recruiting against Swinney. “It’s very important to recruit our state and identify the guys who fit into our program.”
Swinney added that fans who had become accustomed to bulletin board material being delivered on a consistent basis shouldn’t expect that anymore.
“Will and I are a little different. We come from a different background,” he said. “My focus is Clemson and trying to make us the best program, and I know Will’s focus is doing everything he can to make South Carolina a great program. I think both of us have a healthy respect for each other, and I don’t see that ever changing.”
Even though Swinney participated in the back-and-forth with Spurrier, he was never a fan of it. But as a coach in the state of South Carolina, who was constantly attending events with one of the greatest quotes in college football history, he felt the need to get involved.
“I never really enjoyed all of that. That’s just kind of coach Spurrier,” Swinney said. “It wasn’t ever personal. You can go back 25 years ago with coach Spurrier. That just was the way he kind of had fun, I guess.”
While Swinney and Spurrier delivered their share of jabs over the years, they are friends today. Swinney and his wife Kathleen were invited to Spurrier and his wife Jerri’s 50th wedding anniversary part, but were unable to attend.
“He was a guy that like to have fun when he was at Florida or wherever… It just so happened that I was the other coach in the state,” Swinney said. “I really have a lot of respect for Coach Spurrier and I miss him as far as being involved in college football.”
Watson wins award
Also at the event, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson received the Jerry Richardson Community MVP Award. The award is named in honor of former Baltimore Colts receiver and current Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.
“The guy has no flaws,” said Swinney of his All-American quarterback. “He's so talented, but he's a better person than he is a football player.”
This story was originally published July 26, 2016 at 11:08 PM with the headline "Trash talk between coaches at USC-Clemson a thing of the past."