A Happy SS on NS day
I just watched a video on gogamecocks.com of SS's NSD media conference, and never before has SS looked so happy. He even used words like "cool, flashier, pizazz, excited, best, brag, excellent and super."
I didn't know that Gamechicken football had anything to do with any of those words.
When it comes to recruiting ESPN is like the head cheerleader in high school. When ESPN likes you, everybody likes you. Plenty of flashy Thursday night games didn't seem to hurt recruiting one bit. They even ranked the new recruits 4th in the nation--several spots higher than scouts or rivals.
A breakthru: "It may change Carolina football forever." Beating your in-state rival makes it easier to recruit in-state. "Good things have happened to us since that game."
"They're gettin' into the habit of doing things the right way." Players now actually go to their classes and offseason workouts. Yes, in stark contrast to previous years, Steve praised the work ethic of the current players.
"We're gonna add a little pizzaz to our uniforms" with UnderArmor. Steve also said that the numbers would "flabergast some of you guys." I don't know what that means. Either USC is getting a great deal, or they're about to pay a lot of money for garnet and black spandex shirts.
Only seven more months until football season....
How to ruin a perfectly good day
These are scary times for Gamecock football. Every big school with a coaching vacancy appears to be making a beeline for Steve Spurrier.
I hope he's telling the truth when he says that he plans on staying in Columbia for many years to come, but I can't help but worry that he'll jump ship.
One one hand, I don't believe that he came to USC for the money. As I recall, he requested a smaller salary than they offered. Plus, he's doing a good job of building an excellent program. I submit as evidence the fact that we hung in there with teams that used to pound us in the past.
On the other hand, if he's dreaming of national championships, it's possible that he'll be more successful in some other place with more um... renown.
Alabama rumor mills continue to spill their venom, such as this blog from MiketheEyeguy. And Eyeguy does make a good point. Why on Earth is USC's Super King Air flying back and forth between Teterboro? I can't find any recruits up there, but there is a nearby coach named Schiano up there. Is USC looking for a replacement?
However, Joseph Person, and Ron Morris of The State continue to write articles that say Steve's staying.
I just hope Joe and Ron know better than Mike.
11/30/06 Update: Good news, Super Steve is getting a raise. Maybe that'll hold the Spurrier-snatchers at bay.