Now I will go ahead and say that Steve Spurrier is/was one of my least favorite coaches to ever be associated with the game of football so I am definitely a little biased here but with CFB finishing up his farewell tour I was just curious to hear everyone's opinions on how Spurrier went out. Living down here in SC there are strong opinions and judgements both ways on the topic and as a result Spurrier released an open letter to USCe fans a few days ago. The full copy of the letter can be found below...
While he gives plenty of excuses reasons for stepping down when he did (and I would still like to hear your opinions on each of them), one reason in particular rubbed me the wrong way. Mid way through the letter he says the following...
I understand the critics have asked why I didn't announce I was retiring at the end of the season, as some other coaches have done. I felt that if I had done this, I would have been a distraction throughout the remainder of the season about my last game everywhere I went. I did not want a "Spurrier Farewell Tour." The players deserve to be the story of each game.
It's worth nothing here that there have been a lot of people down in SC who have been using Spurrier as the example of how to do it the wrong way while exalting Beamer as an example of how to do it the right way. In fact just a week earlier the Greenville News wrote an article making this exact comparison. The link and an excerpt can be found below...
Spurrier fled before imminent Clemson-USC rout
Now, it is deplorable, because we can see Frank Beamer announce his plans to retire from Virginia Tech then gracefully commit to closing the season with his team.
Beamer was carried off the field after his last home game Saturday, despite Virginia Tech's loss. Spurrier did not give USC the chance to carry him off the field. He ran away from it. He ran away from the impending poundings. He ran away from the criticism that would accompany them.
So with all of this said what are your opinions? Was he the selfless hero he paints himself to be or was he in fact a coward (bias intended)?
Comments
spurrier to me just isn't frank. he wouldn't be treated the same way frank is. maybe if he would have never bailed on UF to go to the NFL and he retired at UF then he would have gotten the treatment of frank but to me I never really got the feeling that USC was HOME to the ole ball coach. where Franks home is clearly here.
I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I know there is no college football coach who gets more joy out of taking jabs and subliminal shots at other coaches than Steve Spurrier.
I could see him being bitter about the love that Beamer got versus the criticism that Spurrier received and taking the opportunity to take a little potshot at Frank. It might've been nothing, but Spurrier has a track record.
Hatin' Ass Spurrier definitely exists for a reason.
And I hope it never stops. One of the best bits in the football blogosphere.
I wonder if it already has. I think there's only been one installment of it since the OBC retired/resigned. It used to be a weekly feature that was always the highlight of my Tuesday afternoons.
And just like that, there's suddenly a Fanpost at EDSBS from someone named VT Bandit trying to crowdsource a new HAS post. Is that you?
It is completely illogical to think Beamer announced his retirement when he did so he could have a "Farewell Tour". I think the main reason Frank didn't announce it at the end of the season was to give Whit and the rest of the Athletic Dept. time to find the right coach. Additionally, I think the fans, more so than Beamer himself, wanted the chance to say goodbye, to have his signature on the field, and to fondly remember his time here. Spurrier has always had a large ego, and it is definitely showing in this letter.
To me it's just demoralizing and destabilizing for a coach to just retire mid-season and practically abandoning the program entirely. I know Spurrier is Spurrier, but I still thought it was just an odd move to not retire at the end of the season.
That Spurrier thought the only alternative was a "Farewell Tour" speaks volumes about his character and mind set. The fans wanted to #ThankFrank for all he did for the school and community. Spurrier assumed he'd be lauded for his greatness.
Big differences there.
Several times during his last few weeks Frank said "it's not about me", and I'm sure he meant that. He mentioned playing for the seniors and winning. The Ole Ball Coach is obviously jealous that Frank was rightly treated like the legend he has become. Sad for Spurrier.
Eh, Beamer is a class act and the team still seems to be performing at the same level. Let Spurrier have this, whatever makes him feel better. By outward appearances, Beamer looks to have the happier and more fulfilling retirement.
Spurrier is a dick
These responses satisfy me...
Spurrier retired because he wanted to stop losing.
Frank retired to leave the program in capable hands, and in good position to succeed going forward.
Yep, Spurrier saw the writing on the wall when SoCar got beat down by UGA. For a guy who's so used to winning and destroying UGA, he couldn't handle that after years and years, the Bulldogs finally gave Spurrier the beatdown they always wanted to. The season was going down the drain and he saw he had to deal with Tennessee, Florida, Clemson (all losses) and he wouldn't be able to take the losses.
Spurrier is basically the guy who will flip over a board game when he's down so he doesn't have to deal with the fact that he was about to take an L.
Or reset the Nintendo 64.
If Frank just walked out one game and never came back, I dont know what we'd do...it would have been too sudden, we wouldnt have handled it well, couches would have been burned, storefront windows broken, mass looting, it would have been bad.
Dr. Peter Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, "biblical"?
Dr Ray Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Exactly.
Dr Ray Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!
Dr. Egon Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes...
Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave!
Dr. Peter Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!
Mayor: All right, all right! I get the point!
It bugs me that Winston doesn't get to be called "Dr." above...
I still legged you though.
Ghostbusters for the win...
Soooo almost as bad as when the Cousins lose?
As much as Beamer always gave his aw-shucks responses and praised each and every team he played against ("Love that program, they'll get after ya") that brought respect and goodwill from opponents. Spurrier was the exact photo-negative of Frank. He would throw a TD to hang 50 in Athens because "heck, no one has ever done it". Which as a fan, was fun to have someone who was a thorn in other coaches sides and could back it up with verbal jabs. The guy knew how to rile everyone up.
However, when other coaches see that your team sucks and that you are on the hotseat/debating retirement, they are going to want to put a big FIST in your ass on your way out and have no mercy or class in doing so. I don't think Spurrier was being gracious, I think he didn't want the 3 month long curb stomping that the SEC coaches were going to want to put on him on his way out the door.
I also live in SC, wife is a die hard Gamecock, even do season tickets for the Cocks and Hokies. The die hards want to hate Spurrier for the way he left but they struggle to hate the guy that pulled them back into relevance. I get it.
I dig the guys' charisma but my suspicion is that he left to preserve his own accomplishments and started hurting this program 2-3 years ago. Spurrier has only had 1 losing season as a coach in college, 1987 as his first year as a coach at Duke. I've heard that the guy essentially stopped recruiting 2-3 years ago, just didn't put the effort in. On top of that, his appointment of several key coaching staff members were poor choices. He appointed his son as recruiting coordinator after Shane left when his own son told him he had no interest in taking the position!
I think the guy got 'tired' of coaching 2 years ago but wanted to ride it out UNTIL things got this bad. The guy hasn't had a losing season in almost 30 years and I don't think he wanted to go through another.
"Back" into relevance?
In its history USCe has six seasons during which it won 9 games or more, and four of them came under Spurrier.
OK thats fair, didn't chose my words quite properly. But hey, they do have a Heisman winner!
Hey, they did win an ACC Championship in the 60's....so there's something.
Half the ACC was on probation too. lol
I don't see that as a dig at Beamer at all. I get that Spurrier has a rep for that sort of thing, but he's usually a bit more direct. To me, it just sounds like a hollow excuse for quitting when the going got tough. Nothing more.
Beamer made the decision, and announced it early, because he didn't want to divide Hokie Nation, not because he wanted a farewell tour.
The farewell tour just sort of came together both spontaneously and will a little help from Whit and the VT organization and fan support.
The farewell tour was organic, not fabricated. Beamer got it for 29 years of service. He did a lot for VT, and we all recognize that. Spurrier wouldn't have gotten the same treatment, no matter how carefully they'd have tried to orchestrate it.
ESPN would've given Spurrier a Farewell Tour even if no one else would.
Yeah it was a jab at Coach Beamer. Spurrier was wrong. I've looked and looked and looked at that photo of the players carrying Beamer off the field at Lane and can't find one senior that's pouting since it should be all about their last game.
You heard over and over again, Seniors wanting to make it special for Beamer for all that had played before them.
The longevity in this program is a reflection of every game is played for the program, not the class and not the individual.
They should give that one to Beamer and put up a new one moving forward
I think they'd give him every piece of Hokie Stone on campus if he asked for it.
Where would he move it to?
I think he sort of has partial ownership of it all, right where it sits.
Then we'll rename it the BeamerBlock!
That works on so many levels. Nice.
I'd be surprised if he doesn't have Hokie Stone on or in his house already.
Spurrier abandoned his team because he had no stake in them, didn't care anymore, and was worried about himself more than his players. Anyone who has ever spent years building or organizing something and then has to hand it off knows how hard it is to let go of all that work and pride you have poured in, always wanting just a little more time to perfect it. Spurrier was selfish, Frank was selfless.
Spurrier was selfish, Frank was selfless.
I think that aptly sums it up.
I dont think Spurrier was taking a shot at Beamer. I mean who would think it would be the right thing for Frank Beamer to do to leave in the middle of the season?
Spurrier wouldnt have really had a "farewell tour" at USC. He didnt want to coach anymore thats what it boils down to. If he wanted to coach, he wouldnt have quit halfway through the year. Not that he was looking out for his players by quitting. I dont know what the OBC is talkin about. I will miss Spurrier, he was quite a character and was a big part of college football at Florida in the 90's. I kinda miss those days.
I think Spurrier was more explaining/justifying why he did it the way he did it, not trying to complain about the way Beamer did it.
Spurrier's point is reasonable about the farewell tour. I think a big difference was how it was handled in Blacksburg by the entire program from Whit on down. It would be difficult to imagine any better way to choreograph CFB's departure than what actually occurred. This is a testament to this program that has been built, in that all the right decisions were made based on a thoughtful approach of doing things the right way. There aren't many programs across the country, certainly not USCe in this case, where you would even be able to hope for this kind of departure. This speaks to the organizational culture that has been cultivated here over the years and it is exactly the reason CJF decided/wanted to take this job. Well done Hokies!!!
What reason does Spurrier have to direct animosity towards Frank? Spurrier takes his jabs at rival teams, and I don't have a problem with that. It's good for the game in healthy doses. I've never heard of any animosity between the two and don't sense it here. This just seems like we're head hunting for someone that hates Frank Beamer.
I think Spurrier is just answering criticism of his own retirement.
I don't think he has anything against Beamer.
Fellow Palmetto state Hokie here, living in Columbia. My perspective is Spurrier quit on his team, his excuses are excuses. He quit. I enjoyed Spurrier as a master of bitchcraft but in the end he's an innovative mind that up and Franchione'd his kids.
This isn't a shot at Frank, just Spurrier's opinion. The guy loves to speak his mind. I'm a Spurrier fan - I find his persona both charismatic and entertaining. At USCe, Spurrier's 'goodbye tour' would have been undeserved and I think he knew this. Frank is different - it was deserved. Frank grew up in SWVA, went to college here, coached here, and brought the team to national relevance.
"He said ''Boy, wake up, we're going over the mountain,' and that was code for we're going to watch Virginia Tech play football today,""
Thats when, if I cried, I wouldve.
I would have been a distraction throughout the remainder of the season about my last game everywhere I went. I did not want a "Spurrier Farewell Tour." The players deserve to be the story of each game
For a team that went 3-9, even if you were there you didn't stick it out with them. Sorry, never was around to see what you did for UF but saw your failure in the NFL. Not a good coach in my eyes. Even coaches that see the writing on the wall they stick through the end of the season. No leadership and obviously no respect. Frank sticking through the remainder of the season helped the fans, team, and AD find continuity. Honestly, our team needed something to drive them to play harder. I don't think we would be bowl eligible if he left mid season. EPIC FAIL Spurrier! Rant over.
Just want to point out, that in the $EC Spurrier had 3 straight 11-2 seasons at USCe from 2011-2013 finishing in the top 10 all 3 years. And during his tenure at Florida he never won less than 9 games, and 9-wins only happened 3 times in 12 seasons.
We probably won't see another like Spurrier, and that's a shame. He shot straight, had some curly-que insights, but got his teams ready to play on the field. When he stepped down, it was done for him. He bowed out and left. On his terms. For someone used to winning, it's difficult to lose.
Honestly, I couldn't give two cents about Steve Spurrier. No use wasting my time worrying about the actions of someone that I don't care about.
Frank's celebration was grassroots oriented, not put up manufactured fake corporate stuff.
Fans started the # campaigns, Fans made the signs, The players carried him, Coaches hugged and kissed him.
The only thing VT did was go along for the ride and make a couple Jumbotron videos.
I told one of my good friends, a USC fan, just a few games into the season that Spurrier would retire at the end of the season, because he hates to lose. He loves winning, and would keep coaching if he was winning...but he won't stick around with a losing team. I also told him Beamer is the opposite...retirement is also getting close...but unlike Spurrier, losing drives Beamer to do better, to improve the team. So I wasn't so sure Frank would retire this year.
Also, regarding that article...I live in Greenville as well...and the Greenville News is basically written by Clemson fans. That writer definitely wanted to see Spurrier lose again to his team.
Not a shot in any way. Just a different way in doing it.
When Spurrier announced, he said that he saw no point in sticking around. He didn't want to stick around knowing he wasn't the best for the job at the moment. He gave someone on his staff the opportunity to interim, and gave the administration the rest of the season to find a replacement. I kind of admire Spurrier for how he did it. Takes a lot to walk away from the game you love, and especially to be honest with yourself that you are not the best for the job. Spurrier's main point was that he didn't want to delay the inevitable.
With that said, I'm happy with the way Beamer did it as well. But people are different, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just 2 different ways to go about the situation and I don't think either was necessarily "wrong."
As is usually the case, I think the truth lies somewhere in between. I don't quite believe that he didn't want the farewell tour. Spurrier's ego is big enough to have its own ZIP code. However, I do believe that wanting one of his assistants to get a chance to prove himself as an interim played a role as well. I was kind of hoping that when Frank's time came, he might do the same thing, and Bud would get the audition he deserved. (although I'm certainly not complaining, given the way the situation has played out)
My opinion is that he simply got worn down and the job wasn't fun any more. When that happened, he did what he thought was best for all involved parties and stepped aside. Whether or not that truly was best is difficult to determine. If the team stepped up and started playing better football, making a decent bowl game, it would be a no-brainer. Considering that the team continued to suck after his departure, and the Gamecocks still haven't hired a new coach (and are apparently desperate enough to interview Muschamp), it's looking like he didn't do anybody any favors.
Spurrier aka the old balls coach, is an asshole.
Sorry if this is repeated above, but it cannot be stated enough.
South Carolina football - 3-9 season over, still looking for a Head Coach
Virginia Tech football - 6-6, awaiting bowl destination, secured top young coach available
Yeah, the farewell tour really ruins a season....
Spurrier is like that rich, successful, sleazy uncle that is always telling awkward and inappropriate jokes but when he says them about people you don't like you secretly find him funny.
I'm actually a huge Spurrier fan, and always will be. People just need to understand that he isn't wired like a lot of coaches are and that's one of things I love most about him.
He tells you how it is, whether you like it or not. And who cares if he has a big ego? Meyer, Saban, Stoops...they all have big egos. Winning championships will do that to you.
I respectfully disagree. Just because everyone else has an ego isn't an excuse to act like a narcissistic, bombastic horse's rear. I think it goes against what VT's culture is at the very core, Ut Prosim.
I care.
I think one of the endearing legacies of CFB is that you don't have to be that way to be a winning coach, and I hope Coach Fuente is in that same mold. Read the inteviews about Frank, the stories everyone has. That's what made him far more special than the win total and bowl streak.
Look at the comments from his former athletes over the past few weeks - very few talk about his ability to develop a player. They all talk about his developing them as a person. Anyone can be a classless winner or loser. We expect better than that. Play the game with character and integrity, we are building our doctors and mayors and business owners, our neighbors.
It's just the way Spurrier is. I don't think he's an ass, I just think he's witty and speaks his mind. I don't see a problem with it. He's not punching people, he's not leading a team of criminals, he's just telling funny jokes about Dabo, and tells it as he sees it.
I have to disagree on this. Meyer, Saban, and Stoops are not comparable to Spurrier in any way in my mind. Much classier individuals.
Also, just because he is "wired" to be an asshole doesn't mean he is exempt from being criticized as one.
FWIW, I have multiple, unrelated #sources who say Meyer is a complete asshole. The story I've heard multiple times is that Meyer wouldn't let Addazio's kids be around with his kids when they were at UF together, because he didn't think Addazio's family was good enough for his. Stories about sending assistant coaches to the back row in planes, while the best performing athletes sat in first class. Things of that nature. Meyer is very polished, very much the politician.
Reading all these comments makes me wonder how many Hokie fans we have here in SC. There must be DOZENS of us!
Actually there are several hundred active alums and Hokie Club members. I'm in the Myrtle Beach area myself. In Charleston the alumni association has an email list with over 800 names on it.
Thank you for finding the GIF. I was too lazy to search for it and hoped somebody would post it. Leg for you.
Hello from Greenville!
Guilty. Hilton Head
Who the hell is Steve Spurrier?!
a washed up asshole
I don't get this basis here
Spurrier was a coach who did it all and was doing it to have fun doing it.
Beamer is a coach who did it all cause that's all he's done (blue collar coal miner mentality)
When Spurrier realized he was losing and not enjoying it anymore, that the players weren't his/he'd lost the locker room Spurrier decided it was over. He was always only there for the game and when he couldnt help his team he walked away. Spurrier knew it was coming soon. go back and watch the USC/UF 2014 game. Seemed like Spurrier knew it was his last time in the Swamp. https://youtu.be/HBw2xi9KL2I?
Beamer was always there until he felt (the heat that) it was time to go. A win against ECU and/or Miami and a 7-5 VT is not changing the Head Coach. An 8-4 2016 and it's possible its still Beamerball. Beamer is a coach who did it all cause that's all he's done (blue collar coal miner mentality)
Why are we upset/disappointed that a coached walked away when he felt he was no longer helping and no longer enjoying it.
Because it shouldn't be just about him.
I see this from the complete opposite side that you do.
I see Spurrier stepping down as selfless in a way. Realizing that the University, the team, and the fans deserve better than what he can give.
Isn't him stepping down without a lot of fanfare and recognition a sign of selflessness? How do you interpret that as Spurrier making it about himself?
What about his "retirement" was about him? An article written a few months later, unsolicited? Or him just sending out a press release saying he's done and had already talked to his team and AD? Nothing Spurrier did during this retirement was about him.
I say the whole thing was about him. How he felt, what he wanted to do. He should have announced his retirement and kept coaching. Instead fewer coaches had to coach the team while also looking out for themselves on the job market.
How much "coaching" do you think Spurrier did during the season...especially after September. If the team isn't ready, the damage is done. It's on him, his staff, the kids, everyone. Instead of getting frustrated, taking out on the kids and his staff, making a bad situation worse, he removed himself from the situation. Maybe the team was lost, at which point nobody wins. Why would he stick around to get ignored and frustrated?
You feel bad for the guys that were supposed to get the team ready to play and didn't? They had to do more work? Well, they "prepared" a 2-4 team to start the season, and finished it 1-5 after Spurrier left. Had they done a better job in the spring, or August, or September, maybe things would have been different. With all the support staff on a college team, you feel sorry for them for having to work a tad bit more? Suck it up butter cup. Do you job and go play football. This isn't a debate, it's football. Looking out for themselves on the job market? How about, again, doing your job right where you are. If they can't focus on the job at hand, they won't be any better at the next position at a new school.
Would it have made you feel better if he was fired in the middle of the year? If any of the players want to stay in touch with him, that's still there and available. USC got rid of there's, and they are in the conference championship game. Maryland fired there's and only won 1 more game the rest of the year. A dis-interested Spurrier on the sidelines is not helping anyone, so he removed himself.
Okay so then he rides the season out and then say SC makes some tribute videos to him to honor is retirement and the team plays for him like VT did for Frank. What do you say then? If anything, he gave another coach an opportunity to lead a team and give a resume boost. Something I wouldn't have minded Beamer doing, so we could see if Bud or Shane could lead a team.
I absolutely think this was part of his plan.
Message to Spurrier upon his "retirement": CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'RE A DOUCHEBAG!
I never understood why he was liked by anyone. A successful coach, yes. A classless jerk who convinced others he was doing the selfless and noble thing, absolutely. Always talking smack when he had the upper hand and always turning and running when he was on the receiving side of things. I won't miss his bullshit. Whether or not this was a jab, everyone knows the reality. Frank was a loyal and overall exceptional person. Steve was just a good football coach. He didn't deserve the celebration. He didn't deserve to be carried off the field. He didn't deserve the tears shed from adoring fans in his press conference announcing his retirement, and that's why he didn't get them. Better suited for a controversial radio personality post retirement than someone who stays at their alma mater and continues to help their school in any way they can even after coaching. I think we all know this so I won't waste any more time. Keep doing you, Steve. Frank, you're everything anyone could have asked for and more.
And just because I somehow held it in before, fuck you Spurrier.
I don't think this was a jab at CFB, mainly because that would require Spurrier to think of someone other than himself for a few seconds. And even if it was, it's still wrong and therefore does not rustle my jimmies.
Spurrier will do Spurrier things.
Beamer will do Beamer things.
Both deserved the right to exit their programs the way they wanted (and they did). I don't really care about Spurrier getting accolades, and quite frankly (pun intended), I don't think he wanted them. To me its a non-story
FWIW Spurrier and Beamer are good friends. They golf a ton together during the offseason and sent each other flowers for their respective retirements. I definitely think that Spurrier should have toughed it out and coached for the rest of the season, but I don't think that this was a shot at Beamer.
To assume that Sakerlina would have reacted this way to a Spurrier retirement announcement is, at best, an uncertain proposition. Right or wrong, the consensus among the Cocks fanbase was that the Visor had failed to live up to the assumed promise of his hiring. He never got them to the heights they had dreamed. (Whether any dream that has USCe atop the SEC East is realistic is another debate.) So while there might have been some recognition of the twilight of a hall of fame coaching career, I think it's much more likely that an announcement of an end-of-season retirement would have actually created more apathy about the current season, as an already disengaged fanbase would have just waited out the rest of a lame duck season in anticipation of what the future held. And I think it was specifically this lack of a "Spurrier Farewell Tour" (and I do believe Steve knew exactly where he stood in the minds of the fans) that led him to a hasty and unceremonious exit.