Steve Spurrier on a rampage: Rips a columnist, dumps Garcia
Here's Steve Spurrier, working hard on his public image. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Having once received a handwritten letter from Steve Spurrier in which I, humble scribe, was described using a term most often reserved for the barnyard, I know full well that the man with the massive ego isn’t above taking umbrage over the slightest of slights. So it was with some amusement that I learned of the fit he threw in the direction of the State’s Ron Morris today.
Short version: The Evil Genius walked into his weekly press conference and ripped into Morris, who was sitting in the room. (Information is provided by WISTV.com, which also offers a helpful video of Spurrier’s bizarre spiel.) The E.G. informed the assembled media that he needed to “get something off my chest.” He then took Morris to task for a column he’d written this spring on Spurrier’s “borrowing” of Bruce Ellington from the South Carolina basketball program. Morris’ description of the E.G.’s “courting” of Ellington, was, quoth Spurrier, “a fabrication.”
So Spurrier offered the rest of the media this one-time-0nly deal: He’d go off elsewhere and do one-on-ones with the TV stations, and when he returned he’d brief the print/Internet folks. Only trouble was, Morris was there when the E.G. made his reappearance. So Spurrier left, his rationale being that he wasn’t going to help Morris write negative things about his program.
I’ve seen this Spurrier in action, and it’s at odds with the usual plainspoken and entertaining E.G. Before the SEC title game in 1994 here, he refused to answer — or even take — a question from Larry Guest, then the columnist for the Orlando Sentinel. Guest and Spurrier had had a running contretemps, and it was my use of a printed Guest nugget that prompted the handwritten note mentioned by Mark Bowden in his New Yorker profile of Spurrier. (The nugget: Guest wrote that Spurrier sought to have a Gainesville Sun beat writer reassigned after the writer gave Auburn’s Terry Bowden the edge over the E.G. in one of those matchup-box things.)
For the record, I enjoy watching Spurrier in interview mode. (Who doesn’t?) I don’t enjoy it when a big-time coach tries to bigfoot a local writer. Mr. Morris is a fully accredited member of the media. He has every right to be sitting where he was. It’s part of the job. For the E.G. to decide, apparently after months of stewing, that he’d make a big deal of an old column was the height of unprofessionalism, not to mention immaturity.
Let’s also note the timing: Spurrier didn’t make his strange little stand after his Gamecocks had gotten whipped by Auburn. He did it a week later, after South Carolina had beaten Kentucky 54-3. Funny how that worked.
And for those who are saying: “Bradley, you just hate Spurrier because he called you a bad name?” … for the record, I don’t hate him. But I get called bad names on this little blog on a daily basis and I have, via necessity, developed a thick skin. The E.G. would be well served to do the same.
Oh, and that wasn’t the only strange news emanating from Columbia today: In a statement, South Carolina announced that the oft-suspended and recently deposed quarterback Stephen Garcia is no longer a Gamecock. We can only assume Garcia’s final offense was in saying, “You know, Ron Morris is a really fine writer.”
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
316 comments Add your comment
Rebounding Dawg
October 11th, 2011
3:56 pm
When columnists act like trolls, they should be treated like trolls.
DostaDawg
October 11th, 2011
3:57 pm
Garcia come’s from good parent’s,Hard to feel sorry for him,but what u reackon the pct. of college student’s who drink-smoke weed is? I say 65-75%.He just picked the wrond time to to catch a BUZZ.
Dean
October 11th, 2011
3:59 pm
Mark you are bovine excrement……………you can’t hold the E. G. jock strap
notbspn
October 11th, 2011
4:01 pm
Coach Spurrier has never laid down the law to any of his players. Fred Taylor stole credit cards and rang up felony type numbers. Jabar Gaffney cleaned out out a high school teams locker room.
Reminds me of how Mark Richt, doesnt kick off starters only backups and gave Odell Thurman more chances than even Garcia received.
For real sports blogging go to http://notbspn.com
bigcalidawg
October 11th, 2011
4:02 pm
FWIW……I dislike Steve Spurrier, but acknowledge that he is a fine head football coach. What he has done with the Cocks is a tribute to his abilities.
I agree with this. I hate when coaches get slaughtered for standing up for their kids. These kids spend more time with their football coaches than their mamma’s and daddies.
Now, I don’t know what the particular article was all about……..,but seems to me that this writer had a vendetta against USC football. He might need to be reassigned, or moved to a place more condusive to his abilities……….like the University of Minnesota football program.
How bout it.
Athenian
October 11th, 2011
4:03 pm
UGA has played one good team and got it handed to them. They only play one more good team and that is GT. Beat us in Atlanta with all your 4 and 5 star prima donnas (with the helmets falling off every down so we can see their pretty dreadlocks) and then go brag about it. I doubt if there is a UGA diploma on this blog. Most fans that actually went to UGA are pretty good folk, it’s you Wal-Mart fans who have the loudest mouth. An empty barrel makes the biggest noise.
DostaDawg
October 11th, 2011
4:04 pm
Amen Dean. He’s had a h-own for E.G. for a while.
UGAly
October 11th, 2011
4:06 pm
Some “journalists” abuse their carte blanche priviledges by writing “sensationalist” half truths just for the purpose of selling papers and/or feeding their own egos. They are allowed to do this with impunity. I applaud Steve Spurrier for standing up for his integrity.
Maybe CMR should try this
October 11th, 2011
4:07 pm
After the SC / UGA game, and the MSU game, CMR ought to have run off AM with his turn overs. Heck, vs SC it COST US the game ……….along with IC’s fumble and Walsh’s shanks.
Too little too late for CMR, If we tie with SC in the SEC East, they go to the Dome and we get Shreveport or Chic Fil A Bowl or Music City Bowl. Season is over for UGA as far as any good to come out of this season. Look at us ……….we are no longer Top 40 material.
UGA class of 71 & 73
Old School
October 11th, 2011
4:08 pm
Mark, have to disagree a bit on this one. I realize Morris is a colleague (of sorts) of yours but he is just another Finebaum, a muckraker who is always stirring the pot. He’s no sports journalist, just another Jerry Springer.
Yazoo
October 11th, 2011
4:09 pm
Reporters call out players and coaches all the time, and now because the coach calls someone out he’s unprofessional? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with writers calling people out. Just don’t be surprised when the screen door swings back and hits you in the rear. Having said that, on another level, allowing your QB to have as many chances as Garcia did is a disgrace. Spurrier will try to win at all costs. Kind of like Miles and Jordan Jefferson.
Joey
October 11th, 2011
4:09 pm
Oh damn what a disingenuous nerd! LMAO got laughed off the blog so he comes back as . . .wait for it . . .a sooner fan, then gives himself a compliment!
LMAO = Oklahoma Sooners Rule
Jason C.
October 11th, 2011
4:17 pm
After all the comments made to (and about) you, the best you could come up with is a semantics argument about not using the word “rant?”
Damn, MB…grow a set.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
October 11th, 2011
4:17 pm
Well, life goes on for Garcia…maybe Auburn needs somebody to replace the laptop-taker….or Garcia can turn pro and be welcomed into kindred spirits with the Cincy Bengals.
quinntheeskimo
October 11th, 2011
4:23 pm
Morris wrote a valid piece after the Auburn loss, had a lot of good points on how the OBC needs to hire an Offensive Coordinator. Really hit on some things that would make the OBC steam, I am with Morris on this, sometimes the truth hurts Stevie, take your TV cameras and go to your room and don’t come back out.
DawginLex
October 11th, 2011
4:23 pm
class of 71
If we go 10-2 or 9-3 and SC goes to the Dome, we will be playing on New Year’s Day or at worst the Chik Fil A Bowl.
Shreveport is an ACC tie in now anyway
boots
October 11th, 2011
4:24 pm
“Steve, I found a better QB. Keep smoking pot. You are off the team.” Wow, those are some situational ethics, coach. Nice example to set for the team. Evil Genius. Sometimes, just plain evil.
LMFAO
October 11th, 2011
4:24 pm
Kevin -
How’s your double wide holding up?
LMFAO
October 11th, 2011
4:25 pm
Joey -
i guess Ga is gonna win the National Championship again this year?
Kevin
October 11th, 2011
4:26 pm
Your mom seems to love it. I’ll send her home when we are done.
LMFAO
October 11th, 2011
4:26 pm
Cool – Glad you took her off my hands
Alabama | MrSEC.com
October 11th, 2011
4:26 pm
[...] today: “Joker Phillips has given too much to get fired.”7. Mark Bradley of The AJC has seen Steve Spurrier’s anti-media act before.8. It looks like South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram will ready to rush the passer Saturday at [...]
Nate the Great
October 11th, 2011
4:27 pm
LMAO- You forgot the other thing that the SEC is besides LSU and Bama, 5 time defending national champions!! 4 different teams won those titles, that really sounds like a weak conference that is falling down face first!!
Tommy Hutchins
October 11th, 2011
4:27 pm
Bradley. 45-42.
Gbal
October 11th, 2011
4:28 pm
notbpen – obviously not a uga fan or would not say the about CMR. he has booted starters.
LMFAO
October 11th, 2011
4:28 pm
Nate the Great – glad you feel better can pimp your team so pimp the conference
Gamecock 67
October 11th, 2011
4:33 pm
Are yall kidding me? Morris finally got what he deserved. He has been nothing but negative for years on the Gamecocks. You can only take so much before you fight back, As for all you GT fans, you think by going 6-0 so far in the ACC makes yall a contender now? Please, if you were in the SEC you all would be a Vandy or Kentucky at best. You would never compete for the title. As for all you Dawg fans, just 4 weeks ago you all wanted Richt gone. You all are the worst fans in the SEC. If Richt looses against AU and FL you will be calling for his head again. (Which you will loose both). Spurrier might aggrivate a lot of folks but he is still one of the all time best coaches that ever lived. He is always compared with Bowden and Jo Pa.
dawg4u
October 11th, 2011
4:39 pm
I can’t decide who’s getting kicked and name called more – Bradley or Spurrier. My friend from Greer, S.C. did say before we attended the UGA-SC game together this year that the only thing he hated that day more than UGA was possibly Ron Morris. I do think that Mark is fair to the Dawgs and to Tech and also critical at times as well. I believe you are right MB in that you probably get called more bad names before breakfast each morning than I do in a whole month!
7576DAWG
October 11th, 2011
4:40 pm
Spurrier is light years ahead of CMR and Bobo as far as getting a team ready to play. If Spurrier had the depth he did at Florida his team would be dominating the SEC.
I was waiting to see when Shaw was going to finally be the QB over Garcia. If Georgia had beaten South Carolina Shaw would have already been the starter but Spurrier wanted to wait and see if he had a top 10 team with Garcia. Now that Spurrier know his team just doesn’t have the depth to compete nationally his only concern is to get Shaw as much playing time as possible so he will get the dumb s@@@ out of the way to provide the leadership needed for next year.
The biggest criticism I have for CMR and Bobo was not letting Murray quarterback the last 5 games and the bowl game two year ago instead of Cox. Letting Cox quarterback after Murray’s shoulder healed made no sense and Murray would have been a much better, more effective player last year and the kind of leader this year that would have beaten Boise State and South Carolina.
Spurrier want’s to win and does what it take to accomplish that goal, even if it means hurting one of his players feelings for the good of the team. CMR and Bobo will not do that, that’s the reason why CMR would be more effective being no higher than an offensive coordinator and Bobo should never be more than a QB coach. Spurrier ,Saban and Miles can make those tough decisions and that’s what sets them apart from most coaches.
RedandBalckDawg
October 11th, 2011
4:43 pm
Spurrier is a perfect example of what eventually happens to a man with an over inflated ego. He used Garcia and gave him a ton of chances when almost any coach would have sent him packing. Then, all of the sudden, Shaw is the man and Garcia is shown the door. I wonder what Garcia did this time?
If it is alcohol related, it makes you wonder why he waited all this time, to make the move. 5 Suspensions and you are suppose to believe that Spurrier just now had enough. Give me CMR any day of the week. At least he shows that he is a decent man, and is fair to his players. Garcia most likely would not have even been playing for UGA after the third alcohol related suspension, but he wouldn’t have dragged the kid along, and I am sure he would have seen to it that the kid, got some help for sure.
At least Garcia has a degree, so he got something out of his Gamecock experience. This might just hurt their reputation a little bit.
GO DAWGS and GATA
trupert
October 11th, 2011
4:44 pm
Spurrier decided not to talk to the only reporter he knew would ask him a tough question about his handeling of Steve Garcia? What a coward!
Spurrier and Class don’t belong in the same sentence.
Dave from Buford
October 11th, 2011
4:45 pm
I went to The State’s website to read some of this guy Morris’s columns … frankly, I can’t see that he is any more negative or muck-raking than any other sports columnist, including Bradley.
I guess my only remark is that this uproar is being generated by a coach who has had a history of running up scores on inferior oppenents and whose only quote after beating up on Kentucky this weekend 54-3 was “They got a heck of a good punter”.
Yeah, he’s got a real right to bar columnists from his press conferences.
Beast from the East
October 11th, 2011
4:51 pm
Mark,
While I’m not at all familiar with the writer’s work, how is it that he can write whatever he wants wihtout any consequences? Why is the HBC obligated to provide him with any material? If he truly has been negative and written some questionable stories, then what makes you think he has the right to access to the program? I agree that Spurrier has and ego the size of Texas, but what about this writer?
The Alpha Male
October 11th, 2011
4:51 pm
LOL. A Techerhead taking shots at the SEC East. Look jackleg, when you guys manage to become even a second rate program, then maybe you’re entitled to an opinion. Earning a letter at GTU is about as strenuous as getting a girl at a cathouse, although for someone from Tech, that prospect is equally remote.
Nate the Great
October 11th, 2011
4:55 pm
@LMFAO: The posts I was refering to:
LMAO
October 11th, 2011
3:20 pm
St. Simon’s Daddy
THE SEC IS 2 TEAMS LSU AND BAMA THE REST SUCK
SORRY DUDE THE SEC EAST IS PITYFUL
LMAO
October 11th, 2011
3:27 pm
JB:
You live in “Wally World” who said anything about the ACC as
a typical Puppy fan you think anyone who cuts down the SEC is
a ACC Fan dude I am sorry but UGA is NOT GOOD – Auburn lost
to Clemson – FLA is horrible – SC will lose at least 2 down the stretch
one of those to Clemson- Take off your glasses the SEC is 2 Teams
BAMA and LSU
PERIOD
——————
You made moronic statements about the SEC and I was just pointing it out. It has nothing to do with the SEC (L)East or UGA or USCe. We are in our golden years as a conference and have been for the last 20 years. There is not a conference that can even hold a candle to what the SEC has accomplished in that time.
UGASlobberknocker
October 11th, 2011
4:59 pm
@GT Letterman…re; “meaningful” wins. if you want to talk about “no meaningful wins”, you could mention how Tech (somehow) wins an ACC title, and then is discovered to have cheated to win the title. then has the title stripped away in shame, thus leaving “no meaningful wins” on record for that particular team of losers.
Maybe you Tech people should just worry about making it thru the day without being mugged and leave the football discussions to someone who knows what football is all about.
It is amazing what 6 wins over nobody does to the GT dork ego ..they actually think they are relevant..now that’s hilarious.
trupert
October 11th, 2011
5:01 pm
Spurrier gives Garcia a free pass to smoke, drink and do as he pleases for the last four years.
Garcia finally implodes and cost Spurrier a game against this years Auburn team who are last in the SEC in total defense, to a tune of 439 YPG, and maby a chance at the East.
Garcia is now of no use to Spurrier so he get’s kicked to the curb and on the same day Spurrier tries to make a big deal of a article wrote month’s ago, so he can dodge the Garcia questions? Still the same ol, spoiled baby Stevie he’s always been.
Evansdawg
October 11th, 2011
5:04 pm
Hey Mark, please update us when you get yet another scorning letter from the E.G. For such a great football mind, he needs to losen his diaper a bit.
GT Letterman
October 11th, 2011
5:05 pm
Ok, I admit it..It wasnt the football team I lettered in, it was the debate team. The highlight of my debate career came when I was chosen to captain the team in our final debate. The topic?:
“Pocket Protectors: Sex Symbol or Mugger Magnet?”
RedandBalckDawg
October 11th, 2011
5:10 pm
Athenian,
You complain about UGA not having played quality opponents and yet who exactly has tech played? They have played one team with a record over five hundred. Your strong out of conference schedule shows then to have a combined record of 4 wins and 11 loses. Your biggest out of conference team was Kansas that is 2 wins and 3 loses. We will not even mention the record of Middle Tenn. and W. Carolina.
You have played one half decent ACC team, which, with the exception of Clemson, is hard to find, in North Carolina.
You have not shown that you can be successful at beating UGA over the last decade, but suddenly, you are the next best thing to gold and UGA is going to be beaten by tech.
Boise, S.C, Miss. ST to name three teams that would have exposed your team for what it really is. There are probably 7 or 8 SEC teams that would beat you. At least wait until you have done something in terms of beating a few good teams, before disparaging UGA and bragging about a team that really hasn’t proven anything, other than they can run up the score on the poor competition.
I think, as usual, you will get your early Christmas present in the form of another loss to UGA. Then what excuse will you have. You are rated 13th by a couple of polls, but where will you sit in the BCS rankings when quality of the opponent is rated?
GO DAWGS and GATA
UGASlobberknocker
October 11th, 2011
5:18 pm
Tech ranked 13th is a joke. If they were in the SEC, 13th in the conference would be accurate. The ACC is pathetic. .. worse than the Mtn West and the Big East..
If i was a Tech fan, I wouldn’t be placing too much stock in our bogus ranking..knowing that as soon as Tech play anybody decent, and gets behind, the 1970s offense will not be able to recover. Tech will lose, then the A hole side of Johnson will re appear.
As a Georgia grad and fan, I always hope Tech has a good record and is overrated when they play us..that just makes it that much sweeter when we kick their butt.
P_The_Ricker
October 11th, 2011
5:20 pm
For pure comedic purposes, I’d love to see Shaw mysteriously miss the rest of the season. Wish no ill will or injury on the kid, but would love to see Spurrier have to do a last minute scramble in attempt to save the season.
Can anyone else picture Spurrier as James Caan from “The Program” in presiding before the school’s academic board in re-endorsing Garcia as a model student???
Bob
October 11th, 2011
5:21 pm
The more important question about Spurrier is why he hasn’t been able to recruit a top QB at USC. With a legacy of world class receivers, top defense, his fun ‘n gun offense, and now Lattimore, Garcia was the best he could do? Maybe it’s time for the old ball coach to retire.
OBC
October 11th, 2011
5:21 pm
Beat your a $$ 95% of the time DAWGS!!!!! Does not matter where he is the HBC.So chew on that dawgs!
Marcus Lattimore
October 11th, 2011
5:23 pm
Stephen Garcia 2, Georgia 1
Antique Roadshow
October 11th, 2011
5:24 pm
LEAVVE SPURRIER ALONNNEEE!!!! Philis.
dawg4u
October 11th, 2011
5:26 pm
I like the upset special mentioned by another poster – Virginia over Tech but I wouldn’t want to bet on it. UGA probably has their weakest conference schedule ever – missing out on Bama, LSU and Arkansas and agree that the SEC East is very weak with only South Carolina and UGA decent and SC loses to Auburn in a down year. It is too bad that Alabama or LSU will have to play the rep from the East in the championship which will really be a blowout. It pains me to say that as a Dawg fan but IMHO the truth.
GTBob
October 11th, 2011
5:28 pm
Tech ranked 13th is a joke.
We are 12th now.
Dawg n' go
October 11th, 2011
5:29 pm
hey marcus,
UGA 46 , SC 15
dawg4u
October 11th, 2011
5:29 pm
Sorry I left out the Gators in the SEC East but it reinforces my point especially with their blowout losses to Alabama and LSU.!