College football

Spurrier Jr. not his dad when it comes to levity

By wire services
Published August 12, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Steve Spurrier Jr. moves with his dad's confident stride and sounds like his father when talking about South Carolina's potential for success on the football field. Gamecocks players, though, have seen the differences in the school's newest father-son football duo.

"Coach Spurrier's thing is he likes to get down to business," wide receiver Sidney Rice said, a wide grin on his face. "Junior likes to joke with us every once in a while."

Where the elder Spurrier demands less giggling and more focus, Spurrier Jr. brings some levity to practice. The receivers coach might ask one of wideouts what route he has run. If he answers correctly, the 33-year-old coach will stare blankly and say, "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Okay, so it's not Jerry Seinfeld or Dave Chappelle. But in the midst of brutally hot, two-a-day August workouts, any bit of humor goes a long way.

"I love him," receiver Syvelle Newton said.

After spending last fall as an Arizona assistant, Spurrier Jr. returned east when his dad succeeded Lou Holtz.

"We have a good relationship," Spurrier Jr. said. "I thoroughly agree with the things he's trying to do, and I feel like I've been around him long enough to have an understanding of how he wants to get things done."

Sometimes, it's hard to tell who's who. Besides the resemblance, Spurrier Jr. often channels his father's cadence and commonsense answers.

Asked about expectations for South Carolina's receivers, the younger coach simply replies: "Awwwhhhh just the same you have anywhere. Play well, play hard, they need to be tough, they need to be smart, they need to make plays."

Spurrier Jr. also buys into his dad's "Why not us?" opinion of South Carolina's future. Just because the Gamecocks haven't won big in the Southeastern Conference doesn't mean they won't, Spurrier Jr. said.

"This is a good opportunity outside of my dad," Spurrier Jr. said.

The elder Spurrier doesn't talk much about his coaching son. "That's hard to do, a dad talking about his son," he said.

When he does, though, you can hear the pride and affection.

VOLS DVD: This season marks the 20th anniversary of Tennessee's 1985 team that shocked fans by routing Miami in the Sugar Bowl, and a new DVD commemorating the triumph is set to go on sale in late August or early September. The 1985 Sugar Vols is a two-disc set with highlights, interviews, a roundtable discussion with former players and the ABC telecast of the game.

[Last modified August 12, 2005, 00:47:15]