Steve Spurrier the “Head Ball Coach” Announces Resignation from SC Gamecocks

Steve Spurrier, the slick talking, visor slinging “Head Ball Coach” at South Carolina coached his last football game on Monday.

Spurrier had informed his college football team about his plans to resign as coach after the game. According to media reports, the 70-year old former football player and head coach at South Carolina will be replaced by G.A. Magnus as an interim coach from Tuesday.

Spurrier who is in his 11th season at South Carolina has transformed the way college football is played. His pass-happy offense allowed the Gamecocks to win the most games under his leadership than with any other coach.

South Carolina is 2-4 this season with the Gamecocks 0-4 in the SEC that includes a 45-24 loss to LSU last weekend.

Spurrrier won multiple all-state honors as a quarterback in high school. He became the Gators starting quarterback in 1964 and led the team to some of the best victories. He had also won the Heisman Trophy playing quarterback at Florida in 1966. He finished his three year college career completing 392 of 692 attempts with 37 touchdowns and 4,848 passing yards

The San Francisco 49ers picked Spurrier for the 1967 NFL Draft and he certainly didn’t disappoint them with his spectacular performance. He was later traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he played his final season in 1976.

During his 10 year professional football career, Spurrier played in 106 games and completed 597 passes in 1,151 attempts with 40 touchdowns, 60 interceptions, and 6,878 passing yards.

His first professional head coach job was with the Tampa Bay Bandits in 1983, while his college coaching job started at Duke in 1987. Spurrier started coaching the Gators in 1990 and led them to win six SEC titles including four straight titles from 1993 to 1996.

Later, he coached the Washington Redskins before moving to the Gamecock State. As a college head coach, Spurrier has an overall record of 228-89-2 in 26 season. He was awarded SEC Coach of the Year seven times and was also inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Spurrier’s accomplishment as head coach at South Carolina is certainly impressive as he led the Gamecocks to victory after victory with running back Marcus Lattimore, quarterback Connor Shaw, receiver Alshon Jeffery, and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

Spurrier is the South Carolina’s most successful coach with 65 victories. He surpasses the record of Rex Enright for most wins in the 2012 season finale. He is also Florida’s most successful coach with 122 wins.

USC Athletics Director, Ray Tanner, stated that he is forming an advisory council that will decide who will replace him as new coach. Potential candidates that would replace Spurrier include Memphis coach Justin Fuente, Alabama defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart, and Houston coach Tom Herman.