Whether or not you love or hate South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier, one thing can’t be argued…the guy is entertaining. Whether it’s taking shot at rivals like Tennessee, Florida State or Georgia; mocking the media; or taking shots at his own players, there is never a dull moment when Steve Spurrier is a part of college football. Throughout his illustrious career, Spurrier has entertained and wrangled at the same time. Here are 15 vintage Spurrier quotes to get the college football season started:
1. On Arkansas: “I do feel badly for Arkansas. That’s no fun getting your butt beat at home, homecoming and all that.”
2. On the 52-17 thrashing of Georgia in 1995: “We knew coming in that no one had ever scored 50 up here. It was something we wanted to do,” Spurrier said that day. “You always want to try to do something that no one else has done.”
3. On Danny Wuerffel taking hits: “I think he’s sort of a New Testament guy. He gets slapped in the face, and he turns the other cheek. He says, ‘Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ I’m probably more of an Old Testament guy, an eye for an eye. You spear our guy in the ear hole and we think we’re supposed to be able to spear you in the ear hole. That’s how we’re a little different.”
4. Concerning the Tennessee quarterback: “I know why Peyton came back for his senior year: he wanted to be a three-time Citrus Bowl MVP.”
5. After being asked if he thought Florida would beat Georgia, “Is Ray Goff still coaching there?”
6. On Tennessee, “Will be the 14th time I’ve coached in Neyland Stadium. … I’ve coached there more than some of their head coaches.”
7. On Georgia recruiting, “Why is it that during recruiting season they sign all the great players, but when it comes time to play the game, we have all the great players? I don’t understand that. What happens to them?”
8. In response to an Auburn dorm fire that burned books: “But the real tragedy was that fifteen hadn’t been colored yet.”
9. On Clowney’s speeding ticket: “I didn’t know Jadeveon’s car could go that fast. He doesn’t have a pretty car like those FSU guys used to drive.”
10. On rival Florida State University: “You know what FSU stands for, don’t you? Free Shoes University.”
11. Taking a dig at Alabama: “In 12 years at Florida, I don’t think we ever signed a kid from the state of Alabama…Of course, we found out later that the scholarships they were giving out at Alabama were worth a whole lot more than ours.”
12. When asked about how he felt being in “Big Orange” country by Tennessee reporters, Spurrier replied: “I thought this was Vanderbilt country.”
13. When Spurrier was asked to comment on a streaker who ran onto the field: “In my experience I’ve learned women are better streakers.”
14. Spurrier, talking to a photographer as his team posed in the Georgia Dome in December 1995 after winning the third of four consecutive SEC championships: “This is our annual team picture.”
15. After winning the 2014 Capital One Bowl: “Those two Capital One Bowl trophies are nice, but that state championship ain’t bad either.”
One thing college football fans can count on this season…the Old Ball Coach is bound to add to his already extensive list of quotable moments.
