Former South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier has controversial thoughts about SEC expansion.
Steve Spurrier is the most successful coach in South Carolina football history. He is also one of the finest head coaches in Duke Blue Devils history (despite only three years in Durham) and the best coach to ever lead his alma mater, the University of Florida.
Spurrier has been a quick-witted free thinker since his days at Duke in the late 1980s, constantly saying what he believes, even if others disagree with him.
That feature was plainly seen on Wednesday.
In a visit on the “A Peek Inside Florida Gators” podcast with Ali Peek, the Head Ball Coach was questioned about league realignment and growth, and in typical Spurrier manner, he spoke up.
Spurrier began by expressing his sadness that the South Carolina Gamecocks will not play against the Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, or Tennessee Volunteers due to the new realignment-altered scheduling pattern.
When asked where Florida State and Clemson should end up if they leave the ACC, Spurrier swiftly said, “Well, I believe that FSU clearly belongs in the SEC…Clemson also fits in…Ah, [FSU] would do very well if they played like they did last year, and I believe Clemson would do quite well…they would do better in the ACC in terms of conference titles, but they want to compete in the big leagues.”
The HBC’s statements will undoubtedly irritate both South Carolina and Florida football supporters. However, as one of the most ferocious rivals ever to coach at the collegiate level, Spurrier clearly sees Florida State and Clemson as new hurdles for the Gators and Gamecocks to conquer.
From a practical sense, however, the admission of those two clubs to the SEC would make the schedule slightly easier for the conference’s incumbents.
Assuming that the yearly rivalry between Palmetto State and Sunshine State are not disrupted, the two schools will have a non-conference game open up on their calendar, most likely for a less skilled club.
For the time being, it’s unclear how league realignment will play out, but the Gamecocks and Gators will undoubtedly keep an eye on their ACC opponents.
