The Head Ball Coach last coached the Florida Gators on Jan. 2, 2002, against the Maryland Terrapins in the Orange Bowl — nearly 13 years ago. And once again, he returns back to the field he built, the field where he is a legend.
Steve Spurrier’s success with the Gators is well-documented — literally.
His time in Gainesville began in 1963 when he attended the University of Florida as a quarterback. It didn’t take long for Spurrier’s success to commence, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1966.
As a coach, his path brought him back to his alma mater just 24 years later. When he became the Gators head coach in 1990, Florida was coming off a 7-5 season under Galen Hall and Gary Darnell. The Gators were looking for an identity — and Spurrier found it.
The Gators’ new head man installed the high-flying Fun N’ Gun offense, leading them to a national championship in 1996, six SEC championships and five SEC Coach of the Year distinctions.
In addition to the his on-field success at Florida, Spurrier’s contributions off-the-field had just as lasting of an effect.
Spurrier gave Florida’s home stadium — Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — it’s infamous nickname “The Swamp.” Spurrier never wasted an opportunity for a dig at Florida’s rivals like Florida State, Georgia or Tennessee. No one was off limits for Spurrier, whether it be Peyton Manning, former UGA head coach Ray Goff or poking fun at FSU’s recruiting violations in the 1990s.
Spurrier transformed the Gators football program from an afterthought to a powerhouse.
He was later inducted into Florida’s Ring of Honor in 2006 as one of its first group of inductees, forever cementing his legacy with the Gators.
Saturday’s matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Gators will mark his fifth trip back to Gainesville as a rival coach. Despite his deep love for his alma mater, Spurrier’s been all business when it comes to the gridiron at The Swamp throughout the last nine years.
He’s defeated the Gators just once on the road, back in 2010 which decided the winner of the SEC East. And close endings like in 2006 with the infamous blocked field goal by Jarvis Moss or the 2005 matchup which cost the Gators a shot at the SEC Championship have helped these SEC East foes develop somewhat of a rivalry.
But it’s always different for Spurrier when it comes to Florida. The emotional impact of returning back to his alma mater may not be there like it was in 2006, but it still is an unique experience for the 69-year old head coach.
“A little bit different,” Spurrier said about what it’s like whenever he comes back to The Swamp. “I’ve told people during warmups I’ll look around the stadium a little bit and bring back some memories, but when the ball is kicked off, it’s us against them, our team against their team.”
The Florida fans at the game may yell at Spurrier, root against his Gamecocks and hope for a big Gators victory, but don’t be mistaken by the actions during that three-hour window on Saturday afternoon.
No matter how much time separates Spurrier and his time with the Gators, his biennial return to The Swamp as head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks is never a road game.
He’s just back home.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
