Every Gator Fan Should Watch this Interview!!!

The entire concept that fan pressure led to Steve Spurrier's departure. It did not and he would confirm that if you asked him. The true "revisionist history" is that UF fans ran off Steve Spurrier.

 

Not the only issue, but definitely part of his decision. He said as much on more than one occasion. I think the biggest single reason was the Dockett cheap shot and no open support from Foley as he tried to publicly take on those bastards at ref$u. But the fan grumbling after that subsequent loss to Tennessee killed his hopes for a 2nd NC was definitely salt in the wounds.

One thing for certain: it wasn’t the lure of the NFL that drove SOS to up & leave UF.

 

Yes, I have heard him say it's the first time he's starting to get some experienced player leadership taking hold at some key positions, but, I take that as a comment regarding what he sees as progress toward improving our stock, as opposed to an excuse for the errs of the past. Maybe that's just me, but, I do see him as someone who takes responsibility for the state of the program. My main fear has always been that he feels like he will be given the time for a steady patient build, when that's probably not true in any top-tier program anywhere these days.

 

I think you are tracking on lack of administrative support aspect but the lure of trying his hand at the NFL was definitely a factor. Most people forget that he briefly agreed to be the coach at Tampa Bay just a few years earlier before changing his mind and calling the team's owner and turning down the job. He definitely had the desire to see if his system of coaching would be successful at the highest level and he has said that many, many times over the past years. If anything, that man is a straight-shooter, and I would never discount something he said as disingenuous.

 

He said it man. It wasn’t disingenuous - he just made more than one reference to disappointment in how our fan base had become less appreciative and spoiled. He wouldn’t say that if he didn’t feel that way. You are 100% correct - SOS is and always was a straight shooter.

Yes he maintained interest in the NFL, and I was told he even had a clause in his contract that gave him a window every year to talk with prospective teams. But Washington?? He declined more than one far superior option before, and, to my knowledge, had never been in discussions with that organization. Only reason he ended up coaching for Daniel freaking Snyder was that was his only option after he left UF. He quit, realized he’d better turn this into his opportunity to scratch his NFL itch, and pursued his only option. No way he left UF so he could coach the Redskins.

 

Spurrier on several occasions made comments about the Florida fans and their behaviors. It started as early as 95’ when he addressed the “Boo birds.” I never said it was the only factor, but it was most certainly part of the equation.

"All Gators hopefully will understand we need the support, not the boos," Spurrier said. "Every time they boo anything that happens out there, basically they're booing me. If they want to keep booing, maybe they want new coaches around here. Hopefully that will be a one-game deal and Gator fans will return to the way they've been in the past."

His words, not mine. In my humble opinion, he is the greatest Gator of all time as it relates to UF athletics, but he certainly didn’t mince words about how the fans behaviors helped steer his thinking on coaching at UF.

 

He doesnt seem to think he needs an OC or any changes to the ST situation per him...recruiting for everyone crowing about his prowess has been similar to Mullen and behind Champ and Mac...he does have a good eye for talent though. Hard to say what recruiting is anymore since every recruit this year can be someone elses next year for the right price or if he doesnt think he is getting the starting nod or being made king of the world. Id be thrilled with 7 wins in our schedule but we cant look like ass with stupidity every game...its been too long and too frequent. Character....yep no question Billy has that...solid person and leader for his team but that only gets you so far...

 

I no longer gaf about anything BUT the "W".

 

Back 'atcha, pardner.

 

The honeymoon ultimately came to an end. Our loss. His loss. Really unfortunate

 

SOS had no problem putting in someones ethics to their face or in the media, if necessary. He had an itch and he scratched it.

 

I guess he never coached at one of the worst programs in the SEC "USC?" and had to out coach most teams? And is now the most winningness coach at USC and UF. Winners win period. No he does not have to do it like SOS, that would be stupid. My point was winners win under pressure and SOS was just an example.

 

SOS is “just an example” of nothing. He’s a one-off — they broke the mold. You trying to hold Billy Napier in comparison to Steve Spurrier is absurd.

 

I just don't understand why his departure and subsequent events are a foregone conclusion. There are now 3 things in life that are guaranteed, death, taxes and UF will collapse if we change coaches.

Alabama just lost the greatest coach of all time, I think most with an unbiased view can agree, and yet they find themselves with an 9.5 win over under. Only 4 teams have a higher line set. Why? Because the institutional support for that behemoth of a program and they brought in a coach that was just a runner up in year 2 at a school that is not a blueblood. Those are the factors that determine how severe the reset will be from a coaching change, not just the change itself.

 

Now you’re comparing the fortunes of a team that’s been dominant for 15 consecutive years against our team that’s been irrelevant for 14 consecutive years - and holding our coach responsible for not matching Bama’s over/under?

Am I reading you correctly?

 

No, you are not. The point is the act of changing coaches doesn't destroy a program. The level of institutional support and the replacement coach are the driving factors.

Let me try to illustrate with a hypothetical. UF goes 4-8 and BN is gone, and Deboer goes undefeated to win the NC. Knee jerk media says "was it Saban or is it Bama?" Saban gets pissed and decides he will run it back elsewhere. UF says we will give you everything you had at Bama to be our coach and he accepts. Is UF now going to crumble into another multi year rebuild? Based on past evidence, I would doubt it. I would wager this board would be in euphoria.

Having said that and given the reality, if UF decide to go another direction at coach and try yet again to hit on a G5 "up and comer" then yes, most likely we will see the same shit all over again.

If people want to say we will fall apart and have another multi year rebuild because the powers to be are incapable of learning from past failures, then I whole heartedly agree. However, I hold out hope (yes I can be positive) that they would try something different, thus making the future unpredictable.

 

As an example, lsu hired Kelly and I don't think their recruiting took a huge hit because LSU as a whole will do anything for their program including stealing from a children's hospital and letting their campus fall into disrepair.

 

I could have used any successful coach as an example. Talk about absurd.

 

I see what Deboer did at Washington in two seasons. Wish I knew what he and his staff might have been doing, or didn't care about, to just go out and win games.

 

I cant listen to him....words and more words...right...but says nothing...right.