Steve Spurrier's next move becomes a popular topic of conversation.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published December 31, 2003
[Times file photo]
Steve Spurrier was a legend at Florida, but UF officials tell eager Gator fans not to expect him back on the sidelines.
TAMPA - Those closest to Steve Spurrier have little doubt he will be back on the sideline coaching someday, but it won't be at the University of Florida.
Spurrier's resignation Tuesday as coach of the Redskins immediately led to speculation about if he might return to Gainesville. Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley squelched those thoughts.
"The University of Florida has a football coach who we're very happy with," Foley said, adding he was surprised by Spurrier's resignation.
Florida coach Ron Zook, who succeeded Spurrier, has three years left on the contract he signed in 2002, worth about $1.1-million annually. Foley said earlier this season he plans to talk with Zook about his contract at the end of the season.
Zook, who is 16-9 in a tumultuous two seasons with Florida, was diplomatic about Spurrier's decision.
"Coach Spurrier will be fine whatever the case is," Zook said. "(He) is the No. 1 Gator, and no one cares about the Gators more than he does. And we are in his corner also."
Florida was closed to students and most employees Tuesday afternoon when the news of Spurrier's departure broke. Word spread slowly across campus, but by 5 p.m., the president's office still hadn't heard.
Marshall Criser, who just completed a stint as Florida Board of Trustees chairman, said Spurrier will need to decide if he wants another job in the NFL or at the college level. But, he said, Florida already has a contract with Zook.
"There's been a lot of speculation about what Spurrier would do," said Criser, a former Florida president. "People will chat about it. It's a substantial conversation piece."
Reaction by Redskins players was mixed. Running back and kick returner Chad Morton said he was "shocked."
"I'm disappointed," he said. "I really liked him a lot, so I didn't want to see him go."
Receiver Laveranues Coles, though, said he had "no reaction."
As the Gators prepared for Thursday's Outback Bowl and Spurrier headed to his vacation home in St. Augustine, the biggest question is, what now?
His friends say it's anybody's guess.
"There's no way you can read Steve's mind," said Ray Graves, Spurrier's former college coach at Florida and a close friend who talks with Spurrier about every other week, from his Tampa home.
"I'm sure he (made the decision) along with his family. It'll be interesting to see what he does next. I guess more will be uncovered later."
Many coaches who worked under Spurrier believe he will coach again.
"I don't think Steve Spurrier is predictable. He never has been," said Florida defensive line coach Jerry "Red" Anderson, who coached under Spurrier from 1990-94. "He may go pros, or he may go back into college. But I think either way, he'll end up somewhere."
Florida assistant head coach Dwayne Dixon coached under Spurrier for 12 seasons. He said the answers to Spurrier's next career move lie with the coach alone.
"He's going to do what he sees fit to do," Dixon said. "Naturally, (losing is) not something you are used to seeing him do. He's used to success, and I'm sure he's not pleased with the way things turned out. He's one of those guys, he doesn't have to coach. He's got other things he can do to compete."
But Dixon added he doesn't believe he'll be out of coaching forever.
"He's a competitor," he said. "I'm not so sure that it's over."
- Staff writer Anita Kumar contributed to this report, which used information from the Washington Post.
