SEC PREVIEW Spurrier unsure of future heading into 2009 season

By David Showers

Posted: July 29, 2009 at 6:40 a.m.

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HOOVER, Ala. — Editor's note: This is the third in a series of stories previewing SEC teams Arkansas will play in 2009.

It may be age or his team's middling play the last four years, but Steve Spurrier's once cocksure attitude gave to humility last week at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala.

South Carolina's 28 wins during Spurrier's tenure in Columbus tied the school record for victories in a four-year period, but the Ol' Ball Coach seemed to hint that last week's Media Days session might be the last time he stands behind the podium at the Wynfrey Hotel.

Alluding to the departure of his long-time SEC colleagues Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee) and Tommy Tuberville (Auburn), Spurrier spoke to the fickleness that informs his profession.

"[I] figured out this is my 17th year at the SEC Media Days," said Spurrier, who turned 64 in April. "I feel very fortunate to be here. [I] hope to be here again next year. ... Again,I feel very fortunate to be coming into my 17th. [I] just hope to make it next year. But if it doesn't go pretty well, change is part of the coaching profession. We all understand that. We understand it happens."

Spurrier's 2005 arrival in Columbus heralded a new era for the Gamecocks. Relegated to second-division status in the SEC East behind perennial powers Florida, Tennessee and Georgia, Spurrier's hire promised to elevate South Carolina's standing in the division.

After a 5-3 conference record his first year and a tie for second place in the division, Spurrier has posted a pedestrian 10-14 record in SEC games. The Gamecocks were 7-3 last year after their win over Arkansas but lost the final three games of the season by an average margin of more than 29 points.

In the parlance of golf, Spurrier's favorite offseason diversion, the Gamecocks have barely broken par during the coach's first four years at South Carolina.

"We've been just a little bit above average," he said. "Ask me how you're doing. A little above average, that's all."

Spurrier pointed to recruiting failures for South Carolina's inability to break through in the SEC East. The impetuousness that led several players to enter the NFL Draft early has contributed to the Gamecocks' small senior class.

Safety Emmanuel Cook stopped attending classes during the second semester of his junior year and didn't play in the Gamecocks' 31-10 loss to Iowa in the Outback Bowl. He declared for the draft but was not selected.

Against the advice of Spurrier, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn eschewed his senior season to enter the draft. He waited until the seventh and final round before being selected by the Carolina Panthers.

Two years ago, receiver Sidney Rice disregarded Spurrier's counsel and entered the draft early. The Minnesota Vikings selected him in the second round, but if Rice had waited a year, he probably would have been a first-round pick.

"Again, you know, we only have seven seniors on the team this year," Spurrier said. "So obviously four, five years ago we thought our recruiting was pretty good, maybe just hadn't worked out."

Spurrier said his 2009 recruiting class, highlighted by Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina's "Mr. Football" last year, is an indication that the program is on firm footing. Gilmore played quarterback for state champion South Pointe High, but Spurrier said he'll probably play defensive back in college.

"We're getting nationalrecruit-type players that maybe we used to not get," Spurrier said. "[Gilmore] could've gone to Alabama.He could have gone to a lot of places. He chose to stay in state there at South Carolina. We believe we're heading in the right direction now."

The Gamecocks also landed DeVonte Holloman, who spurned his commitment to Clemson to join Gilmore,his high school teammate.

Receiver Alshon Jeffery was a late addition to the 2009 class, rejecting overtures from the USC Trojans. Running back Jarvis Giles was going to matriculate at Tennessee before the Volunteers' coaching change. His addition has the potentialto bolster South Carolina's plodding ground game.

Spurrier has also added five new coaches to his staff, including former Arkansas assistant Lorenzo Ward. He'll be the Gamecocks' defensive coordinator, helping assistant head coach Ellis Johnson. If nothingelse, Ward's proven himself capable on the golf course.

"He's a good guy, loves to play golf," Spurrier said. "We've had a bunch of golf games together. ... He's a pretty good stick, but he's a real good coach."

Sports, Pages 9, 10 on 07/29/2009

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