South Carolina Alumni Congratulate Spurrier on Retirement
With a decision that shocked the college football world, South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier walked away from a life long love of football. The 70-year old head coach abruptly announced his retirement Monday following the Gamecocks loss to LSU.
Thanks for all the great memories coach! #Gamecocks #HBC #Spurrier #HereSChttps://t.co/csC2pVOlMj
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) October 13, 2015
Coach Spurrier moving on. #Gamecocks #HereSC pic.twitter.com/gfShq8OPQu
— Gamecock Athletics (@GamecocksOnline) October 13, 2015
As a player, Spurrier was just as accomplished. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1966 as a quarterback at Florida and was a two-time All-Americans. Drafted with the third overall pick of the 1967 NFL draft, Spurrier played in 106 games, completing 597 passes in 1,151 attempts, for a total of 6,878 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions over the course of 10 years.
Of course, everyone knows Steve Spurrier as a head coach. Spurrier walks away with 228 career wins as a college football coach, leaving him 13th all time in that category. He started his head coaching career at Duke, where he spent three seasons with the Blue Devils. He then spent 12 seasons at his Alma Mater Florida followed by 11 seasons at South Carolina.
He was 11-10 in Bowl Games over his 26-year coaching career and sits in the top ten for all-time bowl wins. He also won seven Coach of the Year awards, five in the SEC and two in the ACC.
Many of Spurrier’s former players reached out to their coach on Twitter to congratulate him on his retirement, including Jadeveon Clowney and Connor Shaw.
I'm proud to have played for one of college football's greatest coaches. Thank u for all u did for me + our program, Coach Spurrier #respect
— Jadeveon Clowney (@clownejd) October 13, 2015
I have nothing but respect for you ! You have changed USC Forever ! I will always be a GAMECOCK at heart! Much Love HBC! 🐔
— Pharoh Cooper (@KingTutt_chdown) October 13, 2015
Coach Shawn Elliot was named the interim Head Coach for the Gamecocks moving forward. The 2-4 Gamecocks will play Vanderbilt this weekend in another SEC match-up.