My story from FloridaGators.com https://floridagators.com/news/2025/4/20/football-hbc-turns-80-april-20-2025.aspx
Happy Birthday to the best coach that will ever be a Gator. The King of all Gators forever! The Head Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier. SOS!
This one struck me the most "Like Vince Lombardi said, 'Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, losing is a habit, too.' That Alabama game, I really believe, broke some bad habits." Napier needs to soak this one in.
I read every quote, really took me back to a great time in Gator football history. I was a kid during the 90s, but I remember about half the quotes my dad would tell me over the years. If you ever have a moment when you don't hate FSU enough, just revisit these SOS quotes and you will regain the hate you are looking for.
I'm smiling from ear to ear!!! Dec. 10, 1996 After Wuerffel took the high road when asked about Spurrier's remarks about FSU's so-called dirty tactics. "Danny doesn't have a nasty temper at all. He's kind of a New Testament person. He gets slapped upside the face and turns the other cheek. He says Lord forgive them. They know not what they are doing. I'm probably more of an Old Testament guy. You spear our guy in the ear hole, we think we're supposed to spear their guy in the ear hole. That's how we're a little different." God Bless Him for what he did for this program, he's the greatest Gator
My favorite Steve Spurrier quote was actually a gaffe on his part (which he immediately corrected). It was the day it was announced that he had won the Heisman Trophy. (There was no TV extraganza back in those days, just a press release.) He was interviewed on the radio that afternoon, and said, "This is an honor I'll never remember. I mean forget!"
I think it is safe to say he is the best coach ever. Saban and Meyer took over great programs that had gotten a little off course. LSU, OSU, UF(when Meyer came) and Alabama all had the pedigree, athletes, money, and fan support. Spurrier won the ACC with Duke, turned Florida into a premier program and had three 11 win seasons at South Carolina. When you consider what they all did with what they started with, I don’t think it’s close. PS. I intentionally left Bowden off the list.
Thank you for a trip down memory lane! His accomplishments are only rivals by his quips! Great article!
He is the best coach. He may not have compiled the same amount of talent that Saban, Meyer, Bowden, and even Fulmer did (because he didn’t cheat); but if you had to pick one coach to lead your team for one game and it’s the biggest game in your team’s history, you’re gonna pick Spurrier.
