ICYMI: Former Gator Head Coach Steve Spurrier Named Ambassador, Consultant For UF Athletics
By Scott Carter, Florida Gators.com // August 13, 2016
Won Heisman as player, national title as coach
ABOVE VIDEO: Considered the greatest Gator of all time, Steve Spurrier returns home to take over as Ambassador and Consultant for the Florida Gators Athletic Department, In his career in Gainesville Spurrier won a Heisman Trophy, SEC Coach of the Year five times six conference titles and a national title in the 1997.
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Former Florida quarterback and head coach Steve Spurrier has been named Ambassador and Consultant for the Florida Gators Athletic Department, Jeremy Foley announced on Friday.
“It’s a great day for the Gator Nation to be able to welcome Coach Spurrier back home,” Foley said. “Being a Gator has always meant so much to Coach Spurrier, but it means just as much to us have him come home.”
“I look forward to visiting with him on a lot of occasions and picking his brain on a number of issues,” said UF Head Coach Jim McElwain.
“My wife, Jerri, and I are extremely thrilled to be returning home to our alma mater, and to Gainesville where we met on campus over 50 years ago,” Spurrier said. “I’m very appreciative to Athletic Director Jeremy Foley, Head Coach Jim McElwain and Phil Pharr of Gator Boosters for their role in making this happen.
“I also want to say thanks to the University of South Carolina for allowing me to be their coach from 2005 to 2015. Also a special thanks to all of the Gamecock players, coaches and fans that allowed our teams to set so many school records.
“I will now pull for South Carolina to win every game but one, just as I did when I pulled for Florida to win every game but one as the Gamecock coach.”
“I will try my best to promote and assist in any way I can to help the Gators to continue to be one of the very best athletic programs in America.”
Spurrier finished by complimenting the current regime, “I admire what Coach McElwain and his staff accomplished last year. I’m anxious to watch the Gator football team as they strive to be the best in the SEC and the nation in the years ahead.”
Spurrier’s UF career started in 1963 when he came to Gainesville as a quarterback from Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee.
ABOVE VIDEO: In early June, Florida Field was renamed Steve-Spurrier-Florida Field in his honor, with the unveiling of his namesake set for the season opener against Massachusetts on September 3rd at 7:30 p.m.an Trophy as a senior in 1966 before being selected in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
After his playing career, Spurrier rejoined the Gators as head coach in 1990 and took the program to new heights, winning the school’s first Southeastern Conference title in 1991.
He went on to be named SEC Coach of the Year five times at Florida, and led the Gators to six conference titles. In addition, he helped UF claim its first national title with a 52-20 win over Florida State in the 1997 Sugar Bowl.
Spurrier retired from coaching during the 2015 season in his 11th season at South Carolina. He finished his career with a record of 228-89-2 (.718) as a collegiate head coach.
In early June, Florida Field was renamed Steve-Spurrier-Florida Field in his honor, with the unveiling of his namesake set for the season opener against Massachusetts on September 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
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