Steve Spurrier takes a jab at Nick Saban’s success at Alabama
By Keith Farner
Published:
Two of the most successful coaches in the SEC in the last generation have been Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban.
But the former Florida and South Carolina took some exception this week when asked about Saban’s success at Alabama.
“They didn’t win the SEC last year,” Spurrier said Monday in Birmingham during a visit for the Heisman Trust honoring friend Pat Sullivan, according to AL.com.
Asked about Saban’s recruiting prowess, Spurrier said, “It’s got a little bit to do with Alabama, and little bit to do with the way they do it as well or better than anybody.”
As is custom with Spurrier, while he has no shortage of barbs, he can usually back it up with results. And he’s especially skilled with turning things back to his experience.
For example, when asked about turnover on Saban’s staff, and how success hasn’t dropped off, Spurrier admitted Saban has done well, but it’s not the first time a successful coach has dealt with turnover.
“The recruiting is good, very good, and there are good coaches everywhere,” Spurrier said. “The seven SECs we won sort of in the 90s, we had five different defensive coordinators. So, sometimes those coordinators are not as important as everyone thinks, maybe.”
Spurrier’s record fares well against Saban, too.
At Florida, Spurrier went 2-0 against Saban’s LSU teams. Spurrier was 1-1 against Saban at South Carolina, and Spurrier’s Gators outscored Saban’s teams at LSU 85-24. All-time, Spurrier’s teams outscored Saban’s teams 140-54.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
