The quotable Spurrier
Since becoming Florida’s head football coach in 1990, Steve Spurrier has racked up as many memorable quotes as he has victories. Some of his best throughout the years: AT FLORIDA After routing Georgia a second straight time in 1991 – “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?” On a Florida State off-the-field incident – “You know what FSU stands for, don’t you? Free Shoes University.” After a Danny Wuerffel interception – “It’s not your fault, Danny. It’s my fault for putting you in there.” As a photo was being taken after the 1995 SEC title game – “This is our annual team photo.” On Tennessee’s mid-1990s bowl fate – “You can’t spell Citrus without UT.” During highlights on his coaching show – “We’re doing some good things here, but keep in mind, it’s only Kentucky.” After a 52-0 win over Mississippi State in 2001 – “Their pass defense was No. 1 in the nation coming in, but it won’t be going out.” AT WASHINGTON On developing a rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys – “Hopefully they can be our Georgia.” On the difficulty of winning in the pros – “There are no Vanderbilts in the NFL.” AT SOUTH CAROLINA On playing Georgia midway through the 2012 season – “I always liked playing Georgia in the second game, because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended.” On traveling to Tennessee in 2013 – “This will be the 14th time I’ve coached in Neyland Stadium. I’ve coached there more than some of their head coaches.” On Jadeveon 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.” REFLECTIONS On speaking his mind – “I’m not one to say ‘no comment’ whether I am right or wrong, but especially if I am right.” On recruiting – “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.” On his coaching longevity – “I forgot to get fired, and I’m not going to cheat.” – David Paschall
ATHENS, Ga. — In Steve Spurrier’s nearly 23 seasons as a Southeastern Conference football coach, he faced Mark Richt 24 times.
They dueled throughout most of the 1990s, when Spurrier’s “Fun ‘N’ Gun” attack at Florida looked to outscore Florida State’s talented offenses that Richt coordinated under head coach Bobby Bowden. Richt left FSU to become Georgia’s head coach in 2001 and faced Spurrier’s final Florida squad and eventually all 11 of his South Carolina teams.
Florida and Florida State even met twice in 1994, so there was never any lacking for autumn familiarity.
“He was fun to compete against because you just never knew what was going to happen or what he might say,” Richt said Tuesday. “Some people got real bent out of shape with a lot of things he said. I never really did. The thing I liked the most about Coach Spurrier is that he was always just honest about everything.