View source for Steve Spurrier

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1945)}}
{{about|the former American football coach and player|other people with similar names|Steven Spurrier (disambiguation){{!}}Steven Spurrier}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox gridiron football biography
| name           = Steve Spurrier
| image          = Spurrier 2016.jpg
| caption        = Spurrier in 2016
| number         = 11
| position       = [[Quarterback]]
| position_2     = [[Punter (gridiron football)|Punter]]
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1945|4|20|mf=y}} 
| birth_place    = [[Miami Beach, Florida]], U.S.
| death_date     =
| death_place    =
| height_ft      = 6
| height_in      = 2
| weight_lb      = 204
| high_school    = [[Science Hill High School|Science Hill]] <br> ([[Johnson City, Tennessee]])
| college        = [[Florida Gators football|Florida]] (1964-1966)
| draftyear      = 1967
| draftround     = 1
| draftpick      = 3
| pastteams      =
* [[San Francisco 49ers]] ({{NFL Year|1967|1975}})
* [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] ({{NFL Year|1976}})
| pastcoaching   =
* Florida (1978) <br> Quarterbacks & wide receivers coach
* [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] (1979) <br> Quarterbacks coach
* [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]] (1980–1982) <br> Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
* [[Tampa Bay Bandits]] ([[1983 USFL season|1983]]–[[1985 USFL season|1985]]) <br> Head coach
* Duke (1987–1989) <br> Head coach
* Florida (1990–2001) <br> Head coach
* [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|2002|2003}}) <br> Head coach
* [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina]] (2005–2015) <br> Head coach
* [[Orlando Apollos]] ([[2019 AAF season|2019]]) <br> Head coach
| highlights     =
;As a player
* [[Heisman Trophy]] (1966)
* [[UPI College Football Player of the Year|UPI Player of the Year]] (1966)
* [[The Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|''SN'' Player of the Year]] (1966)
* [[DC Touchdown Club#Walter Camp Memorial Trophy|Walter Camp Memorial Trophy]] (1966)
* [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Chic Harley Award|Chic Harley Award]] (1966)
* [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|Unanimous All-American]] ([[1966 All-America college football team|1966]])
* First-team [[All-America college football team|All-American]] ([[1965 All-America college football team|1965]])
* [[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Player of the Year|SEC Player of the Year]] (1966)
* 2× First-team All-[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] ([[1965 All-SEC football team|1965]], [[1966 All-SEC football team|1966]])
* [[Florida Gators football#Ring of Honor|Florida Football Ring of Honor]] (2006)
* [[National High School Hall of Fame]]
;As a coach
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1996 NCAA Division I-A football season|1996]])
* 6× [[List of Southeastern Conference champions#Football|SEC]] (1991, 1993-1996, 2000)
* [[List of Atlantic Coast Conference football champions|ACC champion]] (1989)
* 8× [[List of Southeastern Conference champions#Divisional champions|SEC Eastern Division champion]] (1992-1996, 1999-2000, 2010)
* [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]] champion (2019)
* 7× [[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Coach of the Year|SEC Coach of the Year]] (1990-1991, 1994-1996, 2005, 2010)
* 2× [[Atlantic Coast Conference football individual awards#Coach of the Year|ACC Coach of the Year]] (1988-1989)
* FWAA First-Year Coach of the Year (2005)
| statlabel1     = Passing yards
| statvalue1     = 6,878
| statlabel2     = [[Touchdown|TD]]-[[Interception|INT]]
| statvalue2     = 40-60
| statlabel3     = [[Passer rating]]
| statvalue3     = 60.1
| statlabel4     = [[Punt (gridiron football)|Punt]]s
| statvalue4     = 230
| statlabel5     = Punting yards
| statvalue5     = 8,818
| statlabel6     = Longest punt
| statvalue6     = 61
| overall_record = {{unbulleted list|College: {{Winning percentage|228|89|2|record=y}}|NFL: {{Winning percentage|12|20|record=y}}|USFL: {{Winning percentage|35|21|record=y}}|AAF: {{Winning percentage|7|1|record=y}}}}
| playoff_record = Bowl: {{Winning percentage|11|10|record=y}}
| pfr            = SpurSt00
| pfrcoach       = SpurSt0
| CollegeHOF     = 2407
}}

<!--
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Steve Spurrier
| image = Spurrier 2016.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Spurrier in 2016
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|4|20|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Miami Beach, Florida]], U.S.
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| alma_mater = [[University of Florida]]
| player_years1 = 1964–1966
| player_team1 = [[Florida Gators football|Florida]]
| player_years2 = 1967–1975
| player_team2 = [[San Francisco 49ers]]
| player_years3 = 1976
| player_team3 = [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
| player_positions = [[Quarterback]], [[Punter (gridiron football)|punter]]
| coach_years1 = 1978
| coach_team1 = [[Florida Gators football|Florida]] (QB/WR)
| coach_years2 = 1979
| coach_team2 = [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] (QB)
| coach_years3 = 1980–1982
| coach_team3 = [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]] (OC/QB)
| coach_years4 = 1983–1985
| coach_team4 = [[Tampa Bay Bandits]]{{efn|name="OC"|Also served as the offensive coordinator}}
| coach_years5 = 1987–1989
| coach_team5 = Duke{{efn|name="OC"}}
| coach_years6 = 1990–2001
| coach_team6 = Florida{{efn|name="OC"}}
| coach_years7 = 2002–2003
| coach_team7 = [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]]
| coach_years8 = 2005–2015
| coach_team8 = [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina]]
| coach_years9 = 2019
| coach_team9 = [[Orlando Apollos]]
| overall_record = 228–89–2 (college) <br> 12–20 (NFL) <br> 35–21 (USFL) <br> 7–1 (AAF)
| bowl_record = 11–10
| tournament_record = 
| championships = ; As a coach
* 1x [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National]] ([[1996 NCAA Division I-A football season|1996]])
* 6× [[List of SEC conference champions#Football|SEC]] (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000)
* [[List of Atlantic Coast Conference football champions|ACC]] (1989)
* 8× [[List of SEC conference champions#Divisional champions|SEC Eastern Division]] (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2010)
* [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]] ([[2019 AAF season|2019]])
| awards = ; As a coach
* 7× [[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Coach of the Year|SEC Coach of the Year]] (1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2005, 2010)
* 2× [[Atlantic Coast Conference football honors#Coach of the Year|ACC Coach of the Year]] (1988, 1989)
* FWAA First-Year Coach of the Year (2005)
; As a player
* [[Heisman Trophy]] (1966)
* [[UPI College Football Player of the Year|UPI Player of the Year]] (1966)
* [[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|''SN'' Player of the Year]] (1966)
* [[Walter Camp Memorial Trophy]] (1966)
* [[Chic Harley Award]] (1966)
* [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|Unanimous All-American]] ([[1966 College Football All-America Team|1966]])
* First-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1965 College Football All-America Team|1965]])
* [[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Most Valuable Player|SEC Player of the Year]] (1966)
* 2× First-team All-[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] ([[1965 All-SEC football team|1965]], [[1966 All-SEC football team|1966]])
* [[Florida Gators football#Ring of Honor|Florida Football Ring of Honor]] (2006)
* [[National High School Hall of Fame]]
| coaching_records = 
| CFBHOF_year = 2017{{efn|Also inducted as a player in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steve Spurrier (1986)|url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1884|website=footballfoundation.com|access-date=November 23, 2023}}</ref>}}
| CFBHOF_id = 2407
}}
-->

'''Stephen Orr Spurrier''' (born April 20, 1945) is a retired [[American football|football]] player and coach often referred to by his nicknames, the '''Head Ball Coach''' or the '''ol' Ball Coach'''.<ref name="HBC">{{cite news |last1=Maloy |first1=Brendan |title=Fox News called Steve Spurrier "Head Game Coach" |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/08/31/fox-news-steve-spurrier-head-game-coach |access-date=April 4, 2019 |work=SI.com |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=August 31, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> Spurrier was a [[college football]] [[quarterback]] with the [[Florida Gators football|Florida Gators]], where he won the 1966 [[Heisman Trophy]]. The [[San Francisco 49ers]] selected him in the first round of the [[1967 NFL draft]], and he spent a decade playing in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) mainly as a backup quarterback and [[punter (gridiron football)|punter]]. He was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] as a player in 1986.

Spurrier went into coaching in 1978 and spent five years as a college assistant for the Florida Gators, the [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets]], and the [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke Blue Devils]] where he began to develop his innovative offensive system while serving as the Blue Devils [[offensive coordinator]] in the early 1980s. He was hired to his first head coaching job by the [[Tampa Bay Bandits]] of the [[United States Football League]] (USFL) in 1983 and led the team to two playoff appearances in three seasons before the league folded. Spurrier returned to the college ranks in 1987, serving as the head football coach at Duke (three seasons), Florida (12 seasons), and [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina]] ([[South Carolina Gamecocks football under Steve Spurrier|10.5 seasons]]), amassing 228 total wins and a 72% career winning percentage. Between his stints at Florida and South Carolina, he led the [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] of the NFL for two seasons with less success. Spurrier retired from coaching in 2015 and became an ambassador and consultant for the [[University of Florida]]'s athletic department, though he briefly returned to the sidelines to coach the [[Orlando Apollos]] of the short-lived [[Alliance of American Football]] in 2019.

Spurrier's teams were known for winning with aggressive and high-scoring offenses, and he became known for teasing and "needling" rivals both before and after beating them on the field.<ref name="needling">{{cite news |last1=D'Angelo |first1=Tom |title=Bobby Bowden calls Spurrier 'national champion at needling people' |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/20151013/SPORTS/812069258 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404164102/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/20151013/SPORTS/812069258 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=April 4, 2019 |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=October 13, 2015 |language=en }}</ref> Spurrier's [[1989 Duke Blue Devils football team|1989 Duke squad]] won the program's only [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) championship between 1963 and 2025. He is the winningest coach in both Florida and South Carolina program history, making him the only coach to hold the record for most wins at two different [[Southeastern Conference]] (SEC) schools, and Florida's streak of four consecutive SEC championships in the mid-1990s is the second-longest in conference history. When Florida quarterback [[Danny Wuerffel]] won the Heisman Trophy during the Gators' [[1996 Florida Gators football team|1996 national championship season]], Spurrier became the only Heisman Trophy winner to coach another Heisman Trophy winner. In 2017, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach, making him one of four members to be honored for both his playing and coaching careers.<ref name="reinducted">{{Cite web |url=http://floridagators.com/news/2017/1/8/florida-legend-steve-spurrier-reenters-college-football-hall-of-fame.aspx |title=Steve Spurrier Re-enters College Football HOF |last=Pantages |first=Will |website=floridagators.com |publisher=University of Florida |date=January 9, 2017}}</ref>

In recognition to his contributions to the university and its football program, the University of Florida officially renamed the Gators home field "[[Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium]]" in 2016.<ref name="sweetswamp">{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17464429/steve-spurrier-back-home-florida | title=Swamp Sweet Swamp: Steve Spurrier is back home at Florida | publisher=ESPN | date=September 4, 2016 | access-date=September 4, 2016 | author=Low, Chris}}</ref>

==Early life==
Spurrier was born on April 20, 1945, in [[Miami Beach, Florida]].<ref name=pfbrprofile>Pro-Football-Reference.com, Players, [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SpurSt00.htm Steve Spurrier].  Retrieved July 9, 2010.</ref>  He is the second son of a [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] minister, J. Graham Spurrier, and his wife Marjorie.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>  Graham Spurrier changed congregations repeatedly during Steve's early childhood, resulting in several moves for the family. The Spurriers left Miami Beach before Steve's first birthday, moving to [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] to live near his paternal grandparents. His father accepted pastorships in [[Athens, Tennessee]] and then [[Newport, Tennessee]] before settling in [[Johnson City, Tennessee]] in 1957, when Steve Spurrier was 12 years old.<ref name=slprice102395>S.L. Price, "{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025085527/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007290/1/index.htm Steve Superior]}}", ''Sports Illustrated'' (October 23, 1995).  Retrieved September 15, 2009.</ref> The youngest Spurrier began to earn his reputation as a good athlete and a fierce competitor in Johnson City, impressing his peers and his older brother's friends with his tenacity in sandlot sports.<ref name="kidjohnsoncity">{{cite news | url=http://jcnewsandneighbor.com/before-he-was-head-ball-coach-steve-spurrier-was-just-a-kid-from-johnson-city/ | title=Before he was Head Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier was just a kid from Johnson City | work=The Johnson City News & Neighbor | date=October 22, 2015 | access-date=July 30, 2016 | author=Williams, Trey}}</ref>

Spurrier's skills as a young baseball player caused a local businessman to talk the Reverend Spurrier into coaching the [[Little League Baseball|Little League]] team sponsored by his business so that Spurrier's son would be on the squad.<ref name=slprice102395/> The younger Spurrier has often repeated an anecdote about playing baseball on a team coached by his father. "How many of you believe that it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game, that counts?" the elder Spurrier once asked his players. When some raised their hands, he told them, "Well, I don't believe in that saying. If they're keeping score, we're going to play to win."<ref name="winning">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/01/sports/pro-football-with-innovation-winning-is-the-only-thing-for-spurrier.html | title=With Innovation, Winning Is the Only Thing for Spurrier | work=The New York Times | date=September 1, 2002 | access-date=September 4, 2016 | author=Longman, Jere}}</ref>

== Playing career ==

=== Science Hill High School ===
Spurrier attended [[Science Hill High School]] in [[Johnson City, Tennessee]],<ref name=dbfbprofile>databaseFootball.com, Players, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100212143234/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SPURRSTE01 Steve Spurrier]}}.  Retrieved July 9, 2010.</ref> where he played football, [[basketball]] and [[baseball]] for the Science Hill Hilltoppers and was an all-state selection in all three sports.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio>GatorZone.com, Football History, 2001 Roster, [http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2001&staff=spurrier Steve Spurrier Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322012138/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2001&staff=spurrier |date=March 22, 2012 }}.  Retrieved July 25, 2009.</ref> Spurrier had an undefeated record in three years as a high school [[starting pitcher]] and led his team to two consecutive state baseball championships.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/><ref name="NFHS"/>  On the basketball court, Spurrier played [[point guard]] and was known for his ability to run his team's offense with flashy passes and dribbling and his knack for scoring in many different ways, attributes which helped his team win two conference championships. He averaged 22 points per game during his senior season and was named the conference player of the year.<ref name="kidjohnsoncity"/><ref name="NFHS">{{cite web |last1=Porter |first1=Cody |title=Spurrier's Fame Began as Three-sport Star in Tennessee |url=https://www.nfhs.org/articles/spurrier-s-fame-began-as-three-sport-star-in-tennessee/ |website=www.nfhs.org |publisher=National Federation of State High School Associations |access-date=October 27, 2019}}</ref>

Many observers in Johnson City thought that Spurrier's best sport in high school was basketball, while his father thought that he was best at baseball.<ref name="HBCbook" /><ref name="conflicted">{{cite news | url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20071027/ARCHIVES/310279933 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328051709/http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20071027/ARCHIVES/310279933 | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 28, 2015 | title=Spurrier's Hometown Conflicted | work=The Post and Courier | date=October 27, 2007 | access-date=September 10, 2016 | author=Haney, Travis | location=Charleston, South Carolina}}</ref> Spurrier agreed that basketball and baseball came more naturally, but he preferred football, and he became the Hilltopper's starting quarterback during his junior year.<ref name="HBCbook" /><ref name="NFHS"/> Coach Kermit Tipton installed a passing offense to take advantage of Spurrier's talents and, unusual for a high school team, occasionally allowed the young quarterback to call plays on the field.<ref name="kidjohnsoncity"/> Boosted by a post-season game at the end of his senior year in which he brought his team back from a 21–0 second-half deficit to win 28–21, Spurrier was a high school [[All-America|All-American]] and drew the attention of many college programs.<ref name="HBCbook" />

Spurrier's achievements in multiple sports earned him induction into the [[National Federation of State High School Associations]]'s [[National High School Hall of Fame]].<ref name="NFHS"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Steve Spurrier to be Inducted Into NFHS Hall of Fame |url=https://tssaa.org/article/tssaa-press-release-steve-spurrier-to-be-inducted-into-nfhs-hall-of-fame |access-date=February 1, 2020 |website=TSSAA}}</ref>

=== University of Florida ===

====Recruitment====
After winning multiple all-state honors in high school, Spurrier was [[college recruiting|recruited]] in one or more sports by many colleges, including [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]], [[Georgia Bulldogs football|Georgia]], [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Mississippi]], [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]], [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]], Duke, South Carolina, and both [[Air Force Falcons football|Air Force]] and [[Army Black Knights football|Army]].<ref name="spurrier1962">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/22496116/ | title=Sideline Review: Spurrier Widely Sought by Colleges | work=Kingsport Times-News | date=November 19, 1962 | access-date=September 4, 2016 | author=Jenkins, Henry | location=Kingsport, Tennessee}}</ref> However, he was not aggressively pursued as a football player by the coaching staff at the [[Tennessee Volunteers football|University of Tennessee]] in nearby [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]] because at the time, Tennessee ran a [[Wing T|wing-T]] offense that featured a running quarterback while Spurrier was an excellent passer.<ref name="book">{{Cite web |last=Weidler |first=Gordon |date=September 28, 2002 |title=Steve's Story: New Book Unlocks Spurrier Mystery |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wlFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JOwDAAAAIBAJ&dq=spurrier%20science%20hill%20tennessee%20passing%20wing-t&pg=6803%2C6745921 |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=The Gainesville Sun|via=Google News}}</ref> While Tennessee never officially offered him a football scholarship, Volunteers basketball coach [[Ray Mears (basketball)|Ray Mears]] offered Spurrier a scholarship, which he declined since he preferred to play football.<ref name="HBCbook" />

[[University of Florida]] coach [[Ray Graves]] heard about Spurrier late in the recruiting process from his brother Edwin, who was the [[postmaster]] in Knoxville, and visited Johnson City in February 1963. Spurrier and his family got along well with Graves, and Steve visited the Florida campus in [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]] the following week. He received a favorable first impression of Gainesville when he arrived to find warm sunshine after leaving freezing temperatures in Tennessee, and thought more highly of Graves when the coach stayed by his side in the school [[first aid room|infirmary]] after Spurrier's cold worsened into the flu during his recruiting visit.<ref name="HBCbook" /> Graves did not promise Spurrier that he would be his starting quarterback, but he told the star recruit that he fit into his coaching staff's plan to open up the Gator offense and would be given a fair opportunity to earn the job.<ref name="HBCbook" /> Soon after returning home, Spurrier decided to attend the University of Florida because of "the passing, the [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]], the weather, and coach [[Ray Graves]]."<ref name="book" />

[[Image:Steve Spurrier QB11.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Spurrier (11) in 1964]]

====1963–64====
[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] rules in the 1960s forbade college [[Freshman|freshmen]] from participating in [[Varsity team|varsity]] sports competition. Spurrier therefore spent his first year at Florida practicing with the varsity team and playing on the freshman team, which scheduled four [[Exhibition game|scrimmages]] against other schools' freshman squads as a way for young players to gain experience. In 1963, Spurrier led the "Baby Gators" to a 45–12 victory over Georgia's freshman team at Florida Field, a game which he half-jokingly claims as a home win against the Gators' fiercest rivals.<ref name="sweetswamp" /><ref name="HBCbook" />

Spurrier was in competition for the starting quarterback position leading up to his sophomore year of [[1964 Florida Gators football team|1964]] until a serious knee injury suffered during spring drills allowed returning senior starter Tommy Shannon to keep the job.<ref name="auto">{{cite book | last = Henry | first = Ran | title = Spurrier : how the ball coach taught the South to play football | publisher = Lyons Press | location = Guilford, Connecticut | year = 2014 | isbn = 9780762791842 }}</ref> Coach Ray Graves still felt the need to get the future star on the field, so he decided to alternate Shannon and Spurrier as the flow of the game dictated.<ref name="1964preview">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/67297444 | title=College Football Roundup | work=El Paso Herald-Post | date=September 11, 1964 | agency=Knoxville News-Sentinel | access-date=September 4, 2016 | author=Siler, Tom}}</ref> Spurrier entered the season-opening game against [[1964 SMU Mustangs football team|SMU]] in the second quarter. After two unsuccessful running plays called from the sidelines put the Gators in a third down and long situation, Coach Graves told Spurrier to call the next play himself. The young quarterback responded by completing a fifty-six yard [[screen pass]] on his first collegiate attempt and another pass for a touchdown on his second pass.<ref name="auto1">{{cite book | last = McEwen | first = Tom | title = The Gators : a story of Florida football | publisher = Strode Publishers | location = Huntsville, Ala | year = 1974 | isbn = 978-0873970259 }}</ref> Spurrier would add another touchdown pass during the second half of his varsity debut.<ref name="SMU1962">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/49153097 | title=Harper's Running Sets Florida's Pace | work=The Progress-Index | date=September 20, 1964 | agency=AP | access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref> The following week on the road at [[1964 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|Mississippi State]], Spurrier entered a tied game late in the fourth quarter and led the Gators down the field for a game-winning field goal.<ref name="auto"/>

[[File:Steve_Spurrier_(1965_Seminole).png|thumb|Spurrier in 1965]]
Spurrier continued to alternate with starter Tommy Shannon as the season progressed, gaining more playing time every week. After being named SEC Back of the Week for a two touchdown performance in a 30–14 upset over [[1964 Ole Miss Rebels football team|Ole Miss]] in October, Spurrier was given the starting nod for the undefeated Gators' next game against undefeated and #3 ranked and eventual national champion [[1964 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] in [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]].<ref name="1964OleMiss">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/46234833 | title=Floridians Chew Up Ole Miss | work=News-Journal | date=October 11, 1964 | agency=UPI | access-date=September 4, 2016 | author=Moffitt, David}}</ref> Though Spurrier threw a touchdown pass and was the Gators' offensive star, his team fell short when another late fourth quarter comeback attempt ended in a missed field goal and a 17–14 Alabama win.<ref name="FL2">{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Alabama fights off Gators, 17–14 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Dw4fAAAAIBAJ&pg=6793%2C3939617 |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=October 25, 1964 |page=11 |access-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref> Spurrier remained the Gators' starter for the remainder of the season and was sometimes brilliant but inconsistent. He led the Gators to a 14–0 home win over rival [[1964 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]] and a 20–6 upset of #7 LSU in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]], but he did not play well in losses to rivals [[1964 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]] and [[1964 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]. Nevertheless, he was named the SEC's Sophomore of the Year for 1964.<ref name="soph">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/75347347/ | title=Spurrier Top SEC Soph | work=Kingsport Times | date=December 15, 1964 | agency=UPI | access-date=September 4, 2016 | location=Kingsport, Tennessee}}</ref>

====1965–66====
[[File:Steve_Spurrier_vs._Georgia.png|thumb|250px|Spurrier and the Gators v. Georgia, 1966]]
Spurrier was the Gators' starting quarterback and team leader in [[1965 Florida Gators football team|1965]] and [[1966 Florida Gators football team|1966]]. He finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting for the 1965 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1965 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1965.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He finished his three-year, thirty-one-game college career having completed 392 of 692 attempts for 4,848 passing yards and 37 [[touchdown]]s, breaking every UF and many conference records for passing and total offense.<ref name=ufmediaguide>''[http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2012/media_guide.pdf 2012 Florida Football Media Guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527130648/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2012/media_guide.pdf |date=May 27, 2013 }}'', University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 70, 72, 74, 75, 80, 87, 89, 92, 93, 94, 96, 98, 102, 106, 112–113, 116, 122, 124, 129, 136, 141, 142, 144–146, 149–150, 153–154, 155, 157, 165, 171, 182 (2012).  Retrieved September 16, 2012.</ref> In addition to being a stellar passer, Spurrier gained notoriety by playing his best under pressure; eight times during his college career, he led the Gators to fourth-quarter comeback wins.<ref name="auto1"/> The most memorable example was a November 1966 game against [[1966 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]], when, after leading the team down the field on a [[Hurry-up offense#Two-minute drill|two minute drill]], he waved off Florida's regular [[placekicker]] and booted a forty-yard [[field goal]], giving the Gators a 30–27 win and likely securing himself the [[Heisman Trophy]].<ref name=price10032007>S.L. Price, "{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100602084511/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1115723/index.htm Spurrier: Call Me Mastermind]}}", ''Sports Illustrated'' (October 3, 2007).  Retrieved April 8, 2010.</ref>  This penchant for dramatic comebacks prompted John Logue of the ''[[Atlanta Constitution]]'' to famously write "Blindfolded, with his back to the wall, with his hands tied behind him, Steve Spurrier would be a two-point favorite at his own execution."<ref name="GainesvilleSun">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ONYjAAAAIBAJ&dq=favorite-at-his-own-execution%20spurrier%20atlanta&pg=1499%2C3178078 | title=Heisman was Spurrier's 2nd Best Catch | work=The Gainesville Sun | date=November 14, 1996 | access-date=November 11, 2013 | author=Mabe, Logan | pages=1C, 6C}}</ref>

As a junior, Spurrier was named a [[Football Writers Association of America]] first-team [[All-America|All-American]] and is still the only player from the losing team to be named the MVP of the [[1966 Sugar Bowl|Sugar Bowl]] after passing for a record 352 yards in leading a furious fourth-quarter rally that fell just short.<ref name=ufmediaguide/>{{#tag:ref|Spurrier set the Sugar Bowl passing record with 352 yards in [[1966 Sugar Bowl]]. This record would not be broken until the [[1992 Sugar Bowl]], when Florida quarterback [[Shane Matthews]] passed for 370 yards, and was broken again in the [[1995 Sugar Bowl (January)|1995 Sugar Bowl]], when Florida quarterback [[Danny Wuerffel]] passed for 394 yards, both under head coach Steve Spurrier. Coincidentally, both of Spurrier's proteges also lost their record-breaking Sugar Bowl contests. The current Sugar Bowl passing record is currently held by another Florida quarterback, [[Tim Tebow]], who threw for 482 yards in the [[2010 Sugar Bowl]], which Florida won. However, Tebow played for the Gators after Spurrier had left.<ref name="SugarBowlrecords">{{cite web | url=http://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/uploads/201516SugarBowlRecordBook.pdf | title=Sugar Bowl Record Book | access-date=September 4, 2016 | archive-date=July 7, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707120709/http://allstatesugarbowl.org/uploads/201516SugarBowlRecordBook.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>|group=note|name=SugarBowl}} As a senior, Spurrier was awarded many national recognitions, including the 1966 [[Heisman Trophy]] and [[DC Touchdown Club#Walter Camp Memorial Trophy|Walter Camp Memorial Trophy]], and was a unanimous first-team All-American.<ref name=heismancom>Heisman.com, [http://www.heisman.com/winners/s-spurrier66.html 1966: Steve Spurrier] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217073108/http://www.heisman.com/winners/s-spurrier66.html |date=December 17, 2008 }}.  Retrieved July 25, 2009.</ref><ref>''2012 NCAA Football Records Book'', [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2012/Awards.pdf Award Winners], National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, pp. 7 & 14 (2012).  Retrieved September 14, 2012.</ref><ref>Sports_Reference.com, College Football, [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1966.html 1966 Heisman Trophy Voting].  Retrieved April 26, 2012.</ref>  He was also the 1966 recipient of Florida's [[Fergie Ferguson Award]], which recognizes the "senior football player who displays outstanding leadership, character and courage."<ref name=ufmediaguide/>

Though the 9–2 1966 season was one of the best in program football history up to that point (along with the [[1928 Florida Gators football team]]), the Gators fell short of their elusive first conference title due to a 27–10 upset loss to arch-rival Georgia, a loss that Spurrier would remember when he returned as Florida's coach and made beating Georgia a priority.<ref name="JAXUGA">{{cite news | url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090905/col_19720638.shtml | title=SEC EXTRA: Payback's for the 'Dogs | work=Jacksonville Times-Union | date=September 9, 2005 | access-date=September 4, 2016 | author=Dirocco, Michael}}</ref><ref name="UGAhead">{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/9639713/steve-spurrier-relishes-beating-georgia-washington-justin-wilcox-star-making | title=Is Steve Spurrier in Georgia's head? | publisher=ESPN | date=September 6, 2013 | access-date=September 4, 2016 | author=Low, Chris}}</ref>

In 2006, Spurrier was recognized by ''The Gainesville Sun'' as the No. 2 player of the first century of the Gators football program.<ref>Robbie Andreu & Pat Dooley, "[http://www.gainesville.com/article/20060901/GATORS70/60831005 No. 2 Steve Spurrier]", ''The Gainesville Sun'' (September 1, 2006).  Retrieved March 30, 2013.</ref>

Spurrier was among the test subjects who was given a prototype for what would become [[Gatorade]] during the 1965 season. Spurrier was unsure of whether or not the beverage had a substantial impact on the team's success.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rovell|first=Darren|title=First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon|date=September 2, 2005|publisher=AMACOM|isbn=0814410952|pages=28}}</ref>

=== National Football League ===

====San Francisco 49ers====
The San Francisco 49ers selected Spurrier with the third overall pick of the [[1967 NFL/AFL draft]], trading up to land the star quarterback.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1967 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1967/draft.htm |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Spurrier was told by team officials that he was being prepped to replace veteran 49ers quarterback and frequent All-Pro [[John Brodie]] in "four or five years", a situation which negatively affected his motivation. "I was not a very ambitious player", Spurrier admitted in his 2016 autobiography.<ref name="HBCbook" />

Spurrier had few opportunities to play and fewer to start early in his pro career, and he did not play very well when he got on the field. He attempted less than five passes over the entire season in three out of his first five years in the NFL, and he did not throw a touchdown pass until his third pro season.<ref name="spurstats">{{Cite web |title=Steve Spurrier Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SpurSt00.htm |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Instead, he settled into the role of backup quarterback and starting [[Punter (gridiron football)|punter]].<ref name="HBCbook" />

Spurrier's first extended opportunity came in [[1972 San Francisco 49ers season|1972]], when an injured ankle left Brodie unable to play for over a month.<ref name=sivbrolo>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1972/12/04/613637/battle-royal-of-leftovers |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Reid |first=Ron |title=Battle Royal of leftovers |date=December 4, 1972 |page=22}}</ref> San Francisco was 2–3 when Spurrier became the starter, and he led the team to a 6–1–1 record, throwing sixteen touchdowns over eight games and putting them in a position to make the playoffs.<ref name="dynasty">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6521521/the_sunday_news_and_tribune/ | title=Spurrier Extends 49ers QB Dynasty | work=The Sunday News and Tribune | date=December 24, 1972 | agency=Copley News Service | access-date=September 6, 2016 | author=Macomber, Frank}}</ref> Spurrier continued to start even after Brodie had recovered. However, when he threw three interceptions in the first half of the regular-season finale, Brodie entered the game and led a second-half comeback that clinched a playoff spot. Head coach [[Dick Nolan (American football)|Dick Nolan]] chose to start Brodie in the first round of the [[1972–73 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] against the [[1972 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], whom the 49ers had beaten 31–10 on [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving Day]] in Texas with Spurrier starting.<ref name="passing1972">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/287394 | title=49ers to Rely on Passing Game | work=Panama City News-Herald | date=December 23, 1972 | agency=UPI | access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref> Spurrier did not make an appearance in the playoff rematch, and the Cowboys intercepted Brodie twice on their way to a 30–28 victory that ended the 49ers' season.<ref name=chastain/>

Spurrier next had an opportunity to start in the fifth game of the [[1973 San Francisco 49ers season|1973 season]], when he replaced a slumping Brodie against the [[1973 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]. Teammates later claimed that Spurrier drew new plays in the huddle in the snow at old [[Metropolitan Stadium]] on his way to a team-record 31 completions and 320 passing yards, but he also tossed two interceptions, and the 49ers lost 17–14.<ref name=heismancom/><ref name="complex">{{cite news |last1=Alex |first1=Rachel |title=Spurrier's Complex Superiority |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/01/20/spurriers-complex-superiority/d17e4f88-865b-48d6-b848-a5a03ca6f361/ |access-date=October 27, 2019 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=January 20, 2002}}</ref> Spurrier's lingering knee injury flared up after the game, so 49ers Coach Nolan decided to start third-stringer [[Joe Reed (quarterback)|Joe Reed]] the following week, and Spurrier played sparingly the remainder of the season.

Spurrier had successful knee surgery in the offseason and, with his NFL contract expired, listened to offers from teams in the new [[World Football League]].<ref name=chastain/> However, Brodie had retired, and as the heir apparent to the 49ers' starting quarterback position in [[1974 San Francisco 49ers season|1974]], Spurrier decided to re-sign with San Francisco. Spurrier played well in the preseason and had seemingly secured the starting job, but these plans were derailed when he suffered a badly [[dislocated shoulder]] in the final preseason game. The injury required surgery, and he missed virtually the entire season. A serious offseason traffic accident reaggravated the injury, and Spurrier was again the 49ers backup quarterback to start the [[1975 San Francisco 49ers season|1975 season]], this time to veteran [[Norm Snead]].<ref name=chastain/>

The 49ers began the 1975 season with a 2–5 record, prompting Spurrier to ask Nolan for a chance to start against the [[1975 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]], who had dominated the rivalry during his tenure in San Francisco. Nolan agreed, and Spurrier led his team to a 24–23 comeback win, throwing for 240 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in what he later called his "best, or at least favorite" game of his pro career.<ref name="HBCbook" /> The performance earned him the starting job, and the 49ers won the next two games behind Spurrier to get back to 5–5. However, they lost their next four games, Spurrier was sent back to the bench, and Coach Nolan was fired at the conclusion of the season. Incoming coach [[Monte Clark]] traded multiple high draft picks for [[New England Patriots]]' quarterback [[Jim Plunkett]], making it clear that Spurrier would not be a part of the 49ers' rebuilding plans. Overall, he was 13–12–1 as a starter with San Francisco.

====Tampa Bay Buccaneers====
In April 1976, Spurrier was sent to the expansion [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] in exchange for two players and a second-round draft pick as part of the new franchise's first trade.<ref name=chastain/> The Buccaneers' new acquisition generated local excitement, as Spurrier had been a college star at the nearby [[1966 Florida Gators football team|University of Florida]]. He won the job as team's first starting quarterback,<ref name=sivthtd>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1976/08/23/613346/a-threehour-time-difference |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Underwood |first=John |title=A three-hour time difference |date=August 23, 1976 |page=16}}</ref> a title that he later regretted, as the undermanned Bucs went on to suffer the first winless season (0–14) in modern NFL history. Though he had looked forward to playing professional football in Florida, Spurrier was frustrated by the losses, the constant hits absorbed while playing behind a porous offensive line, and his philosophical differences with Bucs coach [[John McKay (American football)|John McKay]].<ref name="chastain"/> McKay insisted on employing a run-heavy attack similar to the offense he had used to win championships with the [[USC Trojans football|USC Trojans]], while Spurrier felt that the team did not have the right personnel to run the ball effectively and should employ a more pass-oriented offense.<ref name="No1gator">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OdYjAAAAIBAJ&pg=1278%2C3437929 | title=Steve Spurrier: #1 Gator | work=The Gainesville Sun | date=November 15, 1996 | access-date=September 7, 2016 | author=Mabe, Logan}}</ref><ref>SportsIllustrated.com, SI Vault, [http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8499/index.htm  ''Sports Illustrated''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916103418/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8499/index.htm |date=September 16, 2008 }} (July 23, 1976).  Retrieved July 25, 2009.</ref> Another point of contention was Coach McKay's insistence that his son, [[J. K. McKay|John McKay, Jr.]], be the Bucs' primary wide receiver while Spurrier and other observers felt that he did not have the talent to fill that role.<ref name="HBCbook">{{cite book | title=Head Ball Coach: My Life in Football | publisher=Blue Rider Press | author=Spurrier, Steve with Buddy Martin| year=2016 | location=New York | isbn=978-0399574665}}</ref><ref name="chastain"/><ref name="No1gator" />

The Bucs cut Spurrier in April [[1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|1977]], a move that left him "puzzled and disappointed" since he had been working out with the team up to that point and had not been told that his release was imminent.<ref name="BucsRelease">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SrcwAAAAIBAJ&pg=7384%2C3500374 | title=Spurrier puzzled, disappointed by his release | work= Lakeland Ledger | date=April 15, 1977 |page=1B|location=Florida}}</ref> He signed with the [[1977 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] in July and was released after playing in several preseason games, then briefly signed with the [[1977 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] but was released in the last round of cuts before the beginning of the {{nfly|1977}} regular season, at which point he decided to end his playing career.<ref name="chastain">{{cite book | title=The Steve Spurrier Story | publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing | author=Chastain, Bill | year=2002 | location=Lanham, Maryland}}</ref>

Over 10 NFL seasons, Spurrier played in 106 games (starting 38), completing 597 passes in 1,151 attempts, for a total of 6,878 yards, 40 [[touchdown]]s, and 60 [[interception]]s. He also punted 230 times for a 38.3-yard average.<ref>National Football League, Historical Players, [http://www.nfl.com/players/stevespurrier/careerstats?id=SPU415291 Steve Spurrier Career Statistics].  Retrieved July 25, 2009.</ref>

== Coaching career ==

=== Assistant coach ===

==== Florida (1978) ====
Spurrier spent fall 1977 out of football, living in Gainesville with his young family and considering possible career choices. While not officially connected with the University of Florida at the time, he was often on campus, running at the university's track and attending football games as a fan.<ref name=chastain/> He watched the Gators play to a 6–4–1 record in [[1977 Florida Gators football team|1977]], a season that prompted head coach [[Doug Dickey]] to scrap the [[Wishbone formation|wishbone]]-based run-heavy attack that his teams had used for several years with declining success in favor of a more open [[pro-style offense]]. To effect this change, Dickey revamped his offensive staff, and he hired Spurrier to his first coaching job as Florida's quarterbacks and receivers coach.<ref name="UF1978">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/22078019/?terms=spurrier%2Bdickey%2Bcoach%2Bflorida | title=Spurrier Joins Gator Staff | work=The Naples Daily News | date=December 21, 1977 | agency=UPI | access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref>

The changes did not bring many positive results. While Florida's passing attack improved and former option quarterback [[Cris Collinsworth]] was named to the All-SEC team as a [[wide receiver]] under Spurrier's tutelage,<ref name="backinthegame">{{cite news |last1=Kerasotis |first1=Peter |title=Steve Spurrier: Back in the Game |url=https://www.orlandomagazine.com/steve-spurrier-back-in-the-game/ |access-date=November 14, 2019 |work=Orlando Magazine |date=February 1, 2019}}</ref> the [[1978 Florida Gators football team|1978 Gators']] overall scoring output was almost identical to that of 1977 at about 22 points per game. The team's record also slumped to 4–7, leading to Dickey's dismissal.<ref name="dickyspurrier">{{cite news | url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-11-29/sports/0111281177_1_spurrier-florida-field-dickey-s-attorney | title=UF Fans can thank Vol's AD for Spurrier | work=Orlando Sentinel | date=November 29, 2001 | access-date=January 23, 2016 | archive-date=January 29, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129141651/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-11-29/sports/0111281177_1_spurrier-florida-field-dickey-s-attorney | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="dickyfired">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V-AzAAAAIBAJ&pg=3896%2C3330308 | title=No Title so Florida Gives Ax to Dickey | work=The Evening Independent | date=November 20, 1978 | access-date=January 23, 2016 | author=UPI}}</ref> Spurrier expressed an interest in becoming Florida's next head coach but was not a serious candidate due to his lack of experience, and [[Clemson Tigers football|Clemson]] coach [[Charley Pell]] was hired soon after the conclusion of the season.<ref name="GTalumni">{{cite journal | url=https://issuu.com/gtalumni/docs/1979_55_3/12 | title=Spurrier Joins Coaching Staff | author=Hamilton, Brian | journal=Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine | year=1979 | volume=55 | issue=3 | pages=12–13}}</ref> Pell chose not to retain any of Dickey's coaching staff, leaving Spurrier without a job.

In later years, Spurrier has repeatedly thanked Doug Dickey for giving him a chance to get into coaching with no prior experience.<ref name="SpurrierField">{{cite web | url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2016-06-09/florida-football-gators-rename-field-after-steve-spurrier | title=Florida football: Gators to rename field after Steve Spurrier | publisher=NCAA.com | date=June 9, 2016 | access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref>

==== Georgia Tech (1979) ====
Spurrier was unsure if he wanted to continue pursuing a coaching career after his unpleasant experience at Florida, stating that he would only accept a position "if the opportunity was really right."<ref name=GTalumni/> In 1979, he accepted an offer to become the quarterbacks coach at [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] under head coach [[Pepper Rodgers]], who had been an offensive assistant at Florida when Spurrier was the quarterback.<ref name=gamecocksspurrierprofile>Gamecocks Online, [http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spurrier_steve00.html Steve Spurrier Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223125835/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spurrier_steve00.html |date=December 23, 2008 }}.  Retrieved July 25, 2009.</ref>

Like Dickey at Florida, Rodgers sought to shift Georgia Tech's offense from a wishbone attack to a more passing-oriented offense. And also like Dickey, Rodgers's efforts did not produce immediate results. The Yellow Jackets began the season 1–5–1 and did not score more than 14 points against a [[Division I-A]] opponent over its first seven games. Spurrier, who had not been tasked with constructing a game plan and had seldom been allowed to call plays up to that point, asked Coach Rodgers for a larger role on the staff and was allowed to take control of the offense for the eighth game of the season, against [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]].<ref name="HBCbook" /> Georgia Tech surprised Duke with a more aggressive offense than they'd run all year, and the Yellow Jackets won, 24–14. With Spurrier continuing to call plays, Georgia Tech won the next two games as well, scoring over 20 points in both contests and setting a Georgia Tech record for passing yardage in a season. But the campaign ended with a 16–3 loss to archrival Georgia, dropping Georgia Tech to 4–6–1 overall and leading to Rodgers' dismissal.<ref name="rodgers">{{cite web | url=http://georgiatech.blog.ajc.com/2015/10/16/did-georgia-tech-and-pepper-rodgers-keep-steve-spurriers-career-alive/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017125816/http://georgiatech.blog.ajc.com/2015/10/16/did-georgia-tech-and-pepper-rodgers-keep-steve-spurriers-career-alive/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 17, 2015 | title=Did Georgia Tech and Pepper Rodgers keep Steve Spurrier's career alive? | publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution / ajc.com | date=October 16, 2015 | access-date=July 30, 2016 | author=Sigiura, Ken }}</ref>

Spurrier asked incoming head coach [[Bill Curry]] if he would be retained as Georgia Tech's quarterback coach and was told that he was one of "two or three" candidates for the job, prompting him to seek employment elsewhere.<ref name="HBCbook" /> Spurrier would not forget being dismissed by Curry in 1980. In later years, Spurrier repeatedly mentioned his perfect record (6–0) against Curry's teams when they met as head coaches, often by very lopsided margins.<ref name="curry2">{{cite news | url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-09-12/sports/9309120063_1_georgia-tech-quarterbacks-coach-emotion | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918093759/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-09-12/sports/9309120063_1_georgia-tech-quarterbacks-coach-emotion | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 18, 2016 | title=Spurrier Enjoys It When He Beats Kentucky | work=Orlando Sun-Sentinel | date=September 12, 1993 | access-date=September 10, 2016 | author=Mell, Randall}}</ref><ref name="curry1">{{cite news | url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article18158171.html | title=Spurrier: No Ill Will Towards Bill Curry | work=The State | date=August 17, 2012 | access-date=September 10, 2016 | author=Kendall, Josh | location=Columbia, South Carolina}}</ref>

==== Duke (1980–1982) ====
In 1980, Spurrier was hired to be the [[offensive coordinator]] at [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke University]] by head coach [[Shirley Wilson|Red Wilson]], who had been impressed by Spurrier's coaching abilities the previous season when Georgia Tech had upset Wilson's Duke squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holliday |first=Bob |date=2018-12-05 |title=Three decades later, Spurrier's Duke legacy stands tall |url=https://www.wralsportsfan.com/three-decades-later-spurrier-s-duke-legacy-stands-tall/18042013/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=WRALSportsFan.com |language=en}}</ref> Wilson gave the young coach free rein to design the offense, coach the quarterbacks, and call the plays, and Spurrier met the challenge by developing a record-breaking offense that Duke fans nicknamed "Air Ball". Under Spurrier, Blue Devils quarterback [[Ben Bennett]] set an NCAA record for career passing yardage, receiver [[Chris Castor]] was named ACC player of the year, and Duke's 1982 team became the first in [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] history to average more than 300 passing yards per game.<ref name="dukerecords">{{cite web | url=http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=204840448 | title=Duke Record Book Forever Changed | publisher=goduke.com | date=November 26, 2009 | access-date=July 30, 2016 | author=Featherston, Al}}</ref><ref name="tall">{{cite news |last1=Holliday |first1=Bob |title=Three decades later, Spurrier's Duke legacy stands tall |url=https://www.wralsportsfan.com/three-decades-later-spurrier-s-duke-legacy-stands-tall/18042013/ |access-date=December 9, 2018 |work=WRALSportsFan.com |publisher=WRAL TV |date=December 5, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Duke earned two straight winning seasons in 1981 and 1982, a feat that the program had not achieved since 1970 and 1971 and would not achieve again until Spurrier returned as the school's head football coach later in the decade. They also upset Tennessee in Knoxville 25–24 in 1982 on an 88-yard touchdown pass during Spurrier's first return to the state as an opponent.<ref name="daysatduke"/>

In later years, Spurrier has stated that his seasons working to get maximum production out of outmanned Duke squads were critical to his development as a coach and an offensive strategist.<ref name="HBCbook" /><ref name="daysatduke">{{cite news | url=http://www.wralsportsfan.com/steve-spurrier-s-days-at-duke/14969967/ | title=Steve Spurrier's days at Duke | work=WRAL.com | date=October 14, 2015 | access-date=July 30, 2016 | author=Holliday, Bob}}</ref> Success at a school not known for its football program also built Spurrier's reputation as an innovative young offensive coach who could improvise and succeed without seeming to work very hard.<ref name=chastain/> Duke quarterback Ben Bennett recalls Spurrier diagraming a trick [[halfback option play]] with his cereal on the morning before a game, and the play going for a 60-yard touchdown pass that afternoon. During another game, Spurrier devised a new pass play on the sideline which Duke ran for a touchdown on its next offensive possession. Coach Wilson had not seen the play before, and when he asked Spurrier what play he'd called, the young assistant replied "Touchdown, coach."<ref name="touchdownSpurrier">{{cite news|last1=Jenkins|first1=Sally|title=If Football Is Life, Touchdown Spurrier|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/09/08/if-football-is-life-touchdown-spurrier/db739f8f-3978-4008-a0de-d4926b882a54/|access-date=October 16, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 8, 2002}}</ref>

=== Head coach ===
==== Tampa Bay Bandits (1983–1985) ====
In 1983, Spurrier returned to Tampa to accept his first head coaching position with the [[Tampa Bay Bandits]] of the new [[United States Football League]] (USFL). At 37 years old, Spurrier was the youngest head coach in professional football at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ss8lAAAAIBAJ&pg=5903,2175082&dq=tampa-bay-bandits&hl=en|title=The Miami News – Google News Archive Search<!-- Bot generated title -->}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

"BanditBall" was marketed as a fun alternative to the woeful Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were in the midst of a record-setting streak of losing seasons. Spurrier's wide-open offense was prominently featured, as was starting quarterback [[John Reaves]], who had broken many of Spurrier's passing records at the University of Florida and had grown up in Tampa.<ref name=chastain/> The Bandits' attendance was the highest in the USFL over its three-year run, and Spurrier's offenses were consistently among the league's best.<ref name="bandits85">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eO8vAAAAIBAJ&pg=6737%2C4041887 | title=Buccaneers are also losing at turnstiles | work=The Lakeland Ledger | date=December 26, 1985 | access-date=July 31, 2016 | author=Zier, Patrick}}</ref> The team narrowly missed the playoffs in their first season and made the postseason the next two years. Overall, Spurrier led the Bandits to 35–21 record before the USFL dissolved after the [[1985 USFL season|1985 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steve Spurrier football coaching records |url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/c-spurrste001 |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=StatsCrew.com |language=en}}</ref>

==== Duke (1987–1989) ====
Spurrier spent 1986 out of football as the USFL's planned move to a fall schedule never took place. When it became clear that the Bandits would not retake the field, Spurrier began to seek new coaching opportunities. He interviewed to be the head coach at [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]], but was passed over in favor of [[Rockey Felker]]. He also sought to be the head coach at [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]], but was passed over in favor of [[Mike Archer (American football)|Mike Archer]].<ref name=chastain/><ref>{{cite news |last1=LaBelle |first1=Fran |title=SPURRIER SCRAMBLES WITH USFL ADVERSITY |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1986-02-20-8601110351-story.html |access-date=April 29, 2019 |work=Orlando Sun-Sentinel |date=February 20, 1986}}</ref>

Finally, Spurrier returned to Duke University as the Blue Devils' new head coach and offensive coordinator in [[1987 NCAA Division I-A football season|1987]].<ref name=gamecocksspurrierprofile/>  Spurrier proceeded to raise the Blue Devils to levels of success that the program had not realized in over twenty-five years. His offenses broke numerous school and conference records for scoring, passing yards, and total yards, many of which had been set during his tenure as Duke's offensive coordinator. His [[1989 Duke Blue Devils football team|1989 Duke squad]] was the most successful, winning Duke's first [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] championship since 1962 (and most recent to date), and appearing in their first bowl game since 1960.<ref name="duke1989">{{cite news | url=http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article10043114.html | title=Steve Spurrier still remembers his time at Duke like it was yesterday | work=The News & Observer | date=August 28, 2014 | access-date=July 31, 2016 | author=Keeley, Laura}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Duke Blue Devils College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/duke/index.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In what would become a recurring trend at most of his coaching stops, Spurrier's teams regularly beat their biggest rivals while he brashly "needled" them with jokes and "zingers" that were amusing to his fans but infuriating to opponents.<ref name="zingers">{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Chris |date=May 24, 2012 |title=Spurrier loves speaking his mind |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7963561/south-carolina-steve-spurrier-enjoys-being-coach-people-love-hate-college-football |access-date=July 31, 2016 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Spurrier's Duke squads went 3–0 against archrival [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]], including a 41–0 victory in [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill]] that clinched a share of the 1989 ACC title. At Spurrier's suggestion, that win was followed by a joyful team picture taken in front of the [[Kenan Stadium|Kenan Memorial Stadium]] scoreboard, a photo that still rankles some Tar Heel supporters.<ref name="duke1989"/>

For his success, Spurrier was named the ACC Coach of the Year in both 1988 and 1989.<ref>Matt Hayes, "{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120918145908/http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-05-27/spurrier-legacy-south-carolina-qb-garcias-hands Spurrier legacy at South Carolina in QB Garcia's hands]}}", ''The Sporting News'' (May 27, 2009).  Retrieved July 25, 2009.</ref>

==== Florida (1990–2001) ====
In December 1989, Spurrier accepted an offer to return to the University of Florida as the Gators' "head ball coach."<ref name="1990pressconference"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Olson |first1=Andrew |title=Head Ball Coach draws a crowd at book signing in Gainesville |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/florida-football/spurrier-holds-book-signing-gainesville/ |access-date=February 9, 2019 |work=Saturday Down South |date=September 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=John |title=Steve Spurrier open to joining new pro league as Head Ball Coach |url=https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/28/steve-spurrier-open-to-joining-new-pro-league-as-head-ball-coach/ |access-date=February 9, 2019 |work=NBC Sports - College Football Talk |date=March 28, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> He had privately expressed interest in the job in early October, when Florida coach [[Galen Hall]] was fired mid-season for his alleged involvement in an NCAA rules violation and prominent Gator boosters reached out to Spurrier.<ref name="HBCbook" /> However, he delayed any further discussion at that time to concentrate on coaching Duke.<ref name="HBCbook" /> After the Blue Devils clinched the ACC championship in their last regular season game, Spurrier met with University of Florida president [[Robert A. Bryan|Robert Bryan]] and [[athletic director]] [[Bill Arnsparger]], and he agreed in principle to return to Florida on December 12.<ref name="1990pressconference">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/01/sports/spurrier-takes-florida-job.html | title=Spurrier Takes Florida Job | work=The New York Times | date=January 1, 1990 | agency=AP | access-date=September 11, 2016 | author=Kallestad, Brent}}</ref>

Spurrier asked to delay an official announcement until both Florida and Duke had played in their respective bowl games. As rumors swirled, however, Spurrier broke the news to his Duke team on December 27, the night before they played in the [[1989 All-American Bowl]].<ref>Jeff Browne, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1uYRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OOoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4516,9298903&dq=steve+spurrier+robert+bryan UF-Spurrier 'merger' everything but official]", ''The Gainesville Sun'', Sports Weekend Section, p. 3 (December 30, 1989).  Retrieved September 11, 2016.</ref> They played poorly and lost, and Spurrier later decided that he should have waited to tell his team until after the game, and that when it came to coaching jobs, "it's best to make your decision and move on quickly".<ref name="HBCbook" /> Spurrier was officially announced as Florida's new football coach on December 31, 1989.<ref name=pdooley010190>Pat Dooley, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uAwSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NuoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3935,28963&dq=university+of+florida+hired+steve+spurrier+1989 It's official; Spurrier is head Gator]{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", ''Gainesville Sun'', pp. 1A & 6A (January 1, 1990).  Retrieved September 5, 2009.</ref><ref>Associated Press, "[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/01/sports/spurrier-takes-florida-job.html?src=pm Spurrier takes Florida Job]", ''The New York Times'' (January 1, 1990).  Retrieved February 8, 2011.</ref>

During his introductory press conference on New Year's Eve 1989, Spurrier said that he wanted to immediately change several things, including bringing back blue jerseys (Florida had switched from traditional blue to orange in 1979 under Charley Pell), bringing back natural grass to [[Florida Field]] (artificial turf had been installed in the early 1970s), and putting [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami]] back on the schedule (the schools' annual series had ended after the 1987 game).<ref name="HBCbook" /><ref name="addmiami">{{cite news|last1=Dame|first1=Mike|title=Gators Maneuvering to Add Miami to Schedule|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-05-31/sports/9505310274_1_sec-title-uf-play-in-preseason|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210646/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-05-31/sports/9505310274_1_sec-title-uf-play-in-preseason|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 3, 2019|access-date=September 11, 2016|work=The Orlando Sentinel|date=May 31, 1995}}</ref><ref group=note>Florida's athletic administration brought back blue uniforms, installed natural grass, and signed a contract to renew the Miami rivalry before Spurrier's first Florida team took the field in 1990. However, the contract to play Miami was cancelled several months later when the SEC decided to move to an eight-game league schedule and establish the [[SEC Championship Game]] beginning in 1992.</ref> He stressed the need to beat traditional rivals Auburn, Georgia, and Florida State, against whom Florida had gone 0–9 over the previous three seasons. Finally, he worked to convince Gator players and fans alike that it was possible to win championships at Florida, which had still never won an officially recognized conference title in 83 years of football.<ref>The Gators won the 1984 SEC championship, but were stripped of the title by a vote of the SEC university presidents in the spring of 1985 because of fifty-nine documented violations of NCAA rules by the previous coaching staff.  The Gators also had the best record in the SEC in 1985, but were ineligible for the SEC championship because of NCAA probation.</ref> To that effect, he put together a booklet called "The Gator Mentality", in which is collected coaching tips and theories that he used himself along with inspirational quotes he shared with his players.<ref name="complex"/><ref name="HBCbook" /><ref name="hacks">{{cite news | url=http://floridagators.com/news/2016/8/30/chris-harry-hacks-look-back-spurrier-arrival-gators-revival.aspx | title='HACKS' LOOK BACK AT SPURRIER'S ARRIVAL, GATORS' REVIVAL | work=floridagators.com | date=August 30, 2016 | access-date=September 11, 2016 | author=Harry, Chris}}</ref>

Spurrier inherited a team under [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] investigation for the second time in five years.<ref>Associated Press, "[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/21/sports/football-and-basketball-teams-placed-on-probation-at-florida.html?src=pm Football and Basketball Teams Placed on Probation at Florida]", ''The New York Times'' (September 21, 1990).  Retrieved February 8, 2011.</ref> He successfully steered the program away from the previous scandals and led the Gators to the best record in the SEC in his first year, though they were declared ineligible for the league title due to NCAA probation handed down during the season. Building on the success of Spurrier's first year, Florida finally captured their first officially recognized SEC title in 1991.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/> Under Spurrier, the Gators represented the SEC East in the first five [[SEC Championship Game]]s, winning four of them.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>  The [[1996 Florida Gators football team|1996 team]] captured the Gators' first-ever National Championship with a 52–20 win over [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] in the [[1997 Sugar Bowl|Sugar Bowl]],<ref>S.L. Price, "{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20121203033607/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1115716/index.htm  '96: For The Love Of Gator Nation]}}", ''Sports Illustrated'' (October 3, 2007).  Retrieved April 8, 2010.</ref> avenging the Gators' sole regular-season loss in which Florida State upset Florida 24–21 in [[Doak Campbell Stadium|Tallahassee]].<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>

[[File:Spurrier 1999.jpg|thumb|right|Steve Spurrier on Fan Day, 1999]]

Spurrier's finest moment as a coach may have been the Gators' 1997 game against the previously undefeated and national title game-bound [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State Seminoles]].<ref name=mzemek101805>Matthew Zemek, "[http://florida.scout.com/2/454259.html Urban Meyer, Meet 1997] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716021406/http://florida.scout.com/2/454259.html |date=2011-07-16 }}", ''Gator Country'' (October 18, 2005).  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  Spurrier used a two-quarterback offense, rotating quarterbacks [[Doug Johnson (American football)|Doug Johnson]] and Noah Brindise in and out of the game, confusing the Florida State defense and its veteran coordinator, [[Mickey Andrews]], and giving Spurrier more time to counsel his quarterbacks on the sidelines without having to use time-outs.<ref name=mzemek101805/>  Florida upset the heavily favored Seminoles 32–29.<ref name=mzemek101805/>

Significantly, Spurrier is credited with changing the way the SEC played football.  Spurrier employed a pass-oriented offense (known in the sports media as the "Fun 'n' Gun")<ref>"{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090904084142/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/ncaa/specials/preview/2005/offense.spurrier/  Offensive Revolution: The Steve Spurrier Fun 'n' Gun]}}", ''Sports Illustrated'' (August 8, 2005).  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> in contrast to the ball-control, rush-oriented offenses that were traditionally played in the SEC.  His innovative offensive schemes forced many coaches in the SEC to change their offensive and defensive play-calling.

While his offensive style used a more wide-open passing game than the SEC was accustomed to, Spurrier was also able to utilize a constant group of talented running backs.  Many of them would later go on to have success at the NFL level, including [[Errict Rhett]], [[Fred Taylor (American football)|Fred Taylor]], [[Terry Jackson (running back)|Terry Jackson]], and [[Earnest Graham]].

Spurrier and his Gators accomplished a number of memorable feats during his twelve seasons in Gainesville (1990–2001), including:

* Won one national championship ([[1997 Sugar Bowl|1996]]), and played for another ([[1996 Fiesta Bowl|1995]]).<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Won six SEC championships (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000).<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Named SEC Coach of the Year five times (1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996).<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* First [[Heisman Trophy]]-winner to coach a Heisman Trophy-winner ([[Danny Wuerffel]]).<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Won at least nine games in each of his twelve seasons, one of only three coaches in major college history to do so.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Averaged more than ten wins per season.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Ranked in the final top fifteen in each of his twelve seasons, including nine top-ten finishes, five final top-five rankings, and an average end-of-season ranking of 6.8.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Appeared among the top twenty-five teams in the weekly polls 202 of a possible 203 weeks, including each of his last 202 consecutive weeks.  The Gators were ranked number one in the polls twenty-nine times, appeared among the top five teams for 117 weeks, and among the nation's top ten teams for 179 weeks.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Appeared in a bowl game in each of his last eleven seasons—every season in which the Gators were eligible—one of only five schools to do so during the same time period.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Only coach in major college history to win as many as 120 games in his first twelve seasons at one school (an overall record of 122–27–1, with a winning percentage of .8167).<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* One of only two coaches in major college history to win ten or more games in six consecutive seasons (1993–1998).<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>
* Only college football team to score at least 500 points, including bowl games, for four consecutive years (1993–1996) since the NCAA began keeping statistics in 1937.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>

Spurrier is also credited with creating the nickname "The Swamp" for [[Ben Hill Griffin Stadium]], the Gators' home field.  In the early 1990s, he said, ". . . a swamp is where Gators live. We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative. A swamp is hot and sticky and can be dangerous. Only Gators get out alive."<ref>Gatorzone.com, Facilities, [http://www.gatorzone.com/facilities/?venue=swamp&sport=footb Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field].  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  Soon after becoming head coach, he insisted that the artificial turf then in use at the stadium be replaced with natural grass, and the "Swamp" remains a natural surface field today.<ref name=pdooley010190/>  During Spurrier's tenure, the Gators built up one of the most formidable home-field advantages in the nation; they would not lose a home SEC game until 1994, and would only suffer two more home losses to conference opponents during his 12-year run. Largely due to the formidable home-field advantage Spurrier built, he is by far the winningest coach in Florida history as his 122 wins are 52 more than runner-up Graves.

Spurrier was known for his [[gamesmanship]] while coaching Florida, doing such things as giving much-derided Georgia coach [[Ray Goff]] the nickname of "Ray Goof."<ref name=dkindred12802>Dave Kindred, "[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_4_226/ai_82885066/  Spurrier dares to imagine always]", ''The Sporting News'' (January 28, 2002).  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref><ref>Ray Goff responded publicly: "He's a good coach, but I'd like to run into him some night down a dark alley."  Jack Hairston, "[http://blog.nola.com/allstatesugarbowl/75/spurrier_has_built_a_sugar_bow.html Spurrier Has Built a Sugar Bowl Legacy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325140841/http://blog.nola.com/allstatesugarbowl/75/spurrier_has_built_a_sugar_bow.html |date=2014-03-25 }}", ''Times-Picayune'' (January 8, 2008).  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  His rivalry with the [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee Volunteers]] and their coach [[Phillip Fulmer]] became highly publicized, as Spurrier would gig the Volunteers after the Gators' wins over Tennessee, saying that "you can't spell '[[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]]' without '[[Tennessee Volunteers football|UT]],'" a reference to the Citrus Bowl, which at the time had the contractual right to select the second-place SEC football team.  He also said of [[Peyton Manning]], Tennessee's quarterback, "I know why Peyton came back for his senior year: he wanted to be a three-time Citrus Bowl MVP!"<ref name=dkindred12802/>

Other memorable one-liners from Steve Spurrier included nicknaming rival [[Florida State University]], "Free Shoes University", for the Seminoles' NCAA troubles with recruiting violations.<ref name=dkindred12802/>

On January 4, 2002, Spurrier abruptly resigned as head coach, stating, "I simply believe that twelve years as head coach at a major university in the SEC is long enough."<ref>Associated Press, "[http://static.espn.go.com/ncf/news/2002/0104/1305688.html Spurrier resigns as Gators coach]", ESPN (January 4, 2002).  Retrieved July 25, 2009.  ''See also''  American Rhetoric, Online Speech Bank, [http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/stevespurrierfloridaresignation.htm Steve Spurrier: Resignation Speech (University of Florida)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808140051/http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/stevespurrierfloridaresignation.htm |date=August 8, 2008 }}.  Retrieved August 30, 2009.</ref>

Before Spurrier returned to coach his Gamecocks against the Gators in 2006 and 2008, his most recent visits to Gainesville were on September 2, 2006, to take part in the Gators' celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their 1996 championship season,<ref>SECSports.com, Football, [http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=7624&change_well_id=2 SEC Football Roundup - Saturday, September 2nd] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160216/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=7624&change_well_id=2 |date=September 30, 2007 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> and on September 30, 2006, when he was one of the first four inductees into the [[Florida Gators football#Ring of Honor|Gator Football Ring of Honor]], alongside [[Danny Wuerffel]], [[Emmitt Smith]], and [[Jack Youngblood]].<ref name=secsports93005>SECSports.com, Football, [http://www.secsports.com/index.php?url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=7749&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2#3 SEC Football Roundup - Saturday, September 30th] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160619/http://www.secsports.com/index.php?url_channel_id=2&url_article_id=7749&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2 |date=September 30, 2007 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  At both appearances, Spurrier received standing ovations from the crowd.<ref name=secsports93005/>

Spurrier retains a deep affection and loyalty for his [[alma mater]], and sometimes still accidentally says "we" when referring to the University of Florida.  The feeling is mutual; he remains very much in the good graces of Gator fans for building their program into a perennial national power.<ref>Andy Staples, "[https://www.si.com/more-sports/2008/11/14/spurrier At Florida, loyalty still runs deep for the Head Ball Coach]", ''Sports Illustrated'' (November 14, 2008).  Retrieved September 10, 2009.</ref>  When he was inducted into the Gators' "Ring of Honor", Spurrier humbly announced to the sell-out crowd at [[Ben Hill Griffin Stadium]]: "I'd just like to thank coach [[Ray Graves]] for bringing the skinny kid from Tennessee to the University of Florida."<ref>Antonya English, "[http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/01/Sports/Gators_start_Ring_of_.shtml Gators start Ring of Honor with four former greats]", ''St. Petersburg Times'' (October 1, 2009).  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  Additionally, in 2016, the university added his name to the playing surface at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium; it is now Steve Spurrier-Florida Field.

Spurrier has not let his affection for the University of Florida get in the way of a budding Florida-South Carolina rivalry, however.  In 2005, his Gamecocks upset the Gators 30–22 in [[Williams–Brice Stadium|Columbia]], costing the Gators a shot at the [[2005 SEC Championship Game|SEC championship]].<ref>College Football Data Warehouse, All-Time Coaching Records, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=1608&year=2005 Urban Meyer Records by Year: 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930204607/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=1608&year=2005 |date=September 30, 2012 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  And in November 2010, he coached South Carolina to a 36–14 victory in Gainesville (their first ever on Florida Field) in a game that decided the SEC Eastern Division title.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2010|agency=Associated Press |title=Spurrier, No. 22 Gamecocks clinch SEC East title |url=https://www.deseret.com/2010/11/13/20152898/spurrier-no-22-gamecocks-clinch-sec-east-title/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>

==== Washington Redskins (2002–2003) ====

Ten days after Spurrier resigned his position at the University of Florida, he became head coach of the NFL's [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]].<ref name="schottenhiemerout">{{Cite web |last1=Mortensen |first1=Chris |last2=Pasquarelli |first2=Len |date=January 14, 2002 |title=Schottenheimer out, Spurrier in for Redskins |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1310774 |access-date=July 26, 2009 |website=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>  Spurrier's five-year, $25 million contract with the Redskins was the most lucrative coaching contract in the history of the NFL at the time.<ref name=schottenhiemerout/>

A fast start to the [[2002 Washington Redskins season|2002 season]] raised hopes for Spurrier's potential success. The Redskins led off the preseason in Japan, where they beat the [[San Francisco 49ers]] 38–7 in the [[American Bowl]]. The team threw for over 400 yards and was accused of running up the score, a charge frequently leveled against Spurrier at Florida.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Joseph |date=August 4, 2002 |title=Spurrier preseason era opens with Redskins rout |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/2002-08-04-niners-redskins_x.htm |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=USA TODAY|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The Redskins went 4–1 in the preseason (including a 40–10 win in Tampa against Spurrier's last professional team, the Buccaneers<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2002 |title=Spurrier returns to Florida and whips Bucs |url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=220824027 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808154021/http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=220824027 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>) and won the first game of the regular season 31–23, with [[Shane Matthews]] throwing for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns against the [[Arizona Cardinals]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2002 |title=Offense bails out Redskins in Spurrier's debut |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/220908028 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324025415/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/220908028 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> However, subsequent opponents were able to slow Spurrier's offense, mainly by using disguised [[Blitz (gridiron football)|blitz]]es to disrupt the passing game. By the end of the season, the Redskins were ranked 25th (out of 32 teams) in scoring offense and finished with a 7–9 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/2002.htm |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> It was only Spurrier's second losing campaign in 18 years as a head coach, the first being his first year at Duke.

In [[2003 Washington Redskins season|2003]], the Redskins started 2–0 but finished 5–11, with several close losses coming down to the 4th quarter. The offense was a bit improved, but the departure of [[defensive coordinator]] [[Marvin Lewis]] to become the head coach of the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] saw the defense fade from 5th in scoring defense during the previous season to 24th in 2003. The team as a whole faded late in the season, and were outscored 85–31 over their last three games. Spurrier resigned on December 30, 2003, choosing to walk away from $15 million still owed to him over the remaining three years of his contract. In a statement released by the team, Spurrier said "I apologize to Redskins fans that we did not reach a level of success that we had all hoped... It's a long grind and I feel (that) after 20 years as a head coach there are other things I need to do. I simply believe this is the right time for me to move on because this team needs new leadership."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/31/sports/pro-football-spurrier-resigns-as-head-coach-of-redskins.html |title=Spurrier Resigns As Head Coach Of Redskins |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=December 31, 2003 |first=Damon |last=Hack }}</ref>

Spurrier's disappointing tenure as an NFL head coach has been heavily scrutinized and analysed. During his first season in Washington, Spurrier brought in several of his former stars from Florida, including quarterbacks [[Danny Wuerffel]] and [[Shane Matthews]], leading to criticism that he played favorites. Also criticized was his decision to bring along most of his coaching staff from Florida even though they had little or no experience coaching professional football (the exception being Marvin Lewis, who was a veteran NFL coach).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2011/saban-petrino-spurrier-nfl-coaches/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140608152235/http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2011/saban-petrino-spurrier-nfl-coaches/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 8, 2014 |title=Saban, Petrino & Spurrier: Why Didn't They Make It In The NFL? |date=August 27, 2011 |first=SM |last=Olivia }}</ref>
As the 2002 season progressed, an increasing number of philosophical, strategic, and player personnel differences began to cause a rift between Spurrier and the Washington front office, including team owner [[Daniel Snyder]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/2003/popup/article.html |title=Owning Up, Snyder Learns From the Past |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=July 28, 2003 |first=Nunyo |last=Demasio }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/washington-redskins-are-being-undermined-by-dan-snyders-corrosive-star-culture/2013/12/10/1f1af434-61d4-11e3-94ad-004fefa61ee6_story.html |title=Washington Redskins are being undermined by Dan Snyder's corrosive star culture |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=December 10, 2013 |first=Sally |last=Jenkins }}</ref> Snyder pushed for the drafting of [[Tulane Green Wave football|Tulane]] quarterback [[Patrick Ramsey]] in the [[2002 NFL draft]], and though Spurrier said that he would not play Ramsey very much during his rookie season, the coach was pressured to use him by team officials, and Ramsey was starting by game 4.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Chris |date=2012-12-11 |title=Low: Unhealthy culture hurt Spurrier in NFL |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8735835/college-football-unhealthy-culture-contributed-steve-spurrier-failure-nfl |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> The quarterback position continued to be a source of friction, particularly when, over Spurrier's objections, the front office decided to release Wuerffel before the start of Spurrier's second season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2003 |title=Spurrier quits as Redskins coach |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2003-12-30-spurrier_x.htm |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=USA TODAY}}</ref><ref name="2015Feherty">{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/09/30/steve-spurrier-says-he-couldnt-even-pick-his-quarterback-during-his-second-year-with-the-redskins/ | title=Steve Spurrier says he couldn't even pick his quarterback during his second year with the Redskins | work=The Washington Post – DC Sports Blog | date=September 30, 2015 | access-date=June 12, 2016 | author=Steinberg, BIll}}</ref> Spurrier later said that he "knew it was over" when he "wasn't allowed to pick the backup quarterback".<ref name="autogenerated1" />

Spurrier spoke about his NFL coaching experience during SEC Media Days in 2014. "When I left Florida after 12 years, I thought I was going to coach in the NFL five or six years and retire to the beach, and play golf a bunch, and travel around, this, that and the other. But that was a bad plan. It was. Later you found out that was not a real good idea. But that's the way I was thinking back then."<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2014 |title=Spurrier's new plan: Just keep winning |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/spurriers-new-plan-just-keep-winning/2188633/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>  After retiring from coaching, Spurrier further reflected on his NFL stint in several interviews. In a 2016 appearance on the [[Paul Finebaum]] Show, Spurrier reflected that the Redskins might not have been the best choice for his jump to the NFL. "I went to the team that offered the most money instead of the best situation", he said.<ref name="finebaum2016">{{cite web | url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/news/steve-spurrier-wishes-he-stayed-at-florida-joe-paterno-mistreated-south-carolina/18uhvhu8wjkg81uxku512hvvol | title=Steve Spurrier regrets Florida departure | work=Sporting News | date=April 20, 2016 | access-date=May 7, 2016 | author=Gaither, Steven J.}}</ref> And in 2015, he told [[David Feherty]] that, "The owner and the personnel guys, they picked the team. I couldn’t even pick the quarterback the second year. So I knew it wasn’t going to work, but that's ok. I probably didn’t do a very good job, and the situation wasn’t what I was looking for, so it was time to move on."<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news|last1=Schwartz|first1=Nick|title=Steve Spurrier reveals he wasn't allowed to choose his starting QB with the Redskins in 2003|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/steve-spurrier-redskins-dan-snyder|access-date=October 28, 2017|work=USA Today|date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Washington Post]]'' in 2019, Spurrier said of his time in Washington that "I did a lousy job. The [[General manager (American football)|GM]] did a lousy job. He happened to be the owner, so who needed to go?"<ref name="ahead">{{cite news |last1=Adelson |first1=Eric |title=Steve Spurrier was ahead of his time. Now 73 and in the minors, he hopes to go out a winner. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/03/26/steve-spurrier-was-ahead-his-time-now-minors-he-hopes-go-out-winner/ |access-date=November 14, 2019 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=March 26, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==== South Carolina (2005–2015) ====
{{See also|South Carolina Gamecocks football under Steve Spurrier}}
Throughout the [[2004 NCAA Division I-A football season|2004 football season]], various sources openly speculated about Spurrier returning to coach in the college ranks once again, preferably for a program located in the southeastern United States and even more preferably, somewhere in his beloved [[Southeastern Conference]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maske |first=Mark |date=October 29, 2004 |title=Spurrier Considering Options in Florida |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9035-2004Oct29.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>  The University of Florida was in the process of taking applications for a new coach after Spurrier's successor at Florida, [[Ron Zook]], was fired following the 2004 season.<ref>"[https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1908871 With Zook out, will Spurrier get a call?]", ESPN News Services (October 26, 2004).  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> The timing seemed perfect for Spurrier's return to the Gators and Spurrier initially said that he wanted to be considered for his old job, but later removed his name from consideration stating that "12 years at Florida was probably long enough."<ref>David Jones, "[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sec/2004-11-04-spurrier-florida_x.htm Spurrier withdraws name from Florida coaching search]", ''USA Today'' (November 4, 2004).  Retrieved April 8, 2010.</ref>  Soon afterwards, rumors began circulating that [[South Carolina Gamecocks]]' Athletic Director, Mike McGee, was actively pursuing Spurrier and that Spurrier was considering the [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|Gamecocks]]' offer.  Again, the timing was perfect and on November 22, South Carolina coach [[Lou Holtz]] announced his retirement and, during his final press conference, hinted that Spurrier might replace him.<ref>Mark Schlabach, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4943-2004Nov22.html Teams in Fight To Skip Bowls]", ''Washington Post'', p. D1 (November 23, 2004).  Retrieved September 5, 2009.</ref>  The next day, months of rumors were put to rest as Spurrier was introduced as South Carolina's new head coach. Spurrier had signed a seven-year deal that paid him $1.25 million per year and the Steve Spurrier era began for the Gamecocks.<ref>Viv Bernstein, "[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F01E4DB143EF937A15752C1A9629C8B63 With Less Swagger, Spurrier Returns to SEC]", ''The New York Times'' (November 24, 2004).  Retrieved September 5, 2009.</ref>

In [[2005 NCAA Division I-A football season|2005]], his first season as the Gamecocks' new head coach, Spurrier led his [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina Gamecocks]] with newfound humility.<ref>Karl Taro Greenfeld, "{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130317155748/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1108514/index.htm Meet Mr. Humble]}}", ''Sports Illustrated'' (August 22, 2005).  Retrieved April 8, 2010.</ref>  The Gamecocks, who were not expected to have a winning season by most pundits, rattled off a five-game [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] winning streak for the first time in their fourteen-year SEC history.<ref name=cfbdwspurrier2005>College Football Data Warehouse, All-Time Coaching Records, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2206&year=2005 Steve Spurrier Records by Year: 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102094948/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2206&year=2005 |date=November 2, 2012 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  Included among those victories were historic wins at Tennessee (16–15)<ref name=cfbdwuscvsut>College Football Data Warehouse, South Carolina Opponents, South Carolina Record by Team, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/south_carolina/opponents_records.php?teamid=3180 South Carolina vs. Tennessee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907224855/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/south_carolina/opponents_records.php?teamid=3180 |date=September 7, 2015 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> – the program's first win in [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]]<ref name=cfbdwuscvsut/> – and against then 12th-ranked [[2005 Florida Gators football team|Florida]] (30–22),<ref name=cfbdwuscvsuf>College Football Data Warehouse, South Carolina Opponents, South Carolina Record by Team, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/south_carolina/opponents_records.php?teamid=1113 South Carolina vs. Florida] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907224710/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/south_carolina/opponents_records.php?teamid=1113 |date=September 7, 2015 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> who South Carolina had not beaten since 1939.<ref name=cfbdwuscvsuf/>  The [[Associated Press]] named Spurrier the SEC Coach of the Year,<ref name=gamecocksspurrierprofile/> and the Gamecocks finished the 2005 season with a 7–5 record and a trip to the [[Independence Bowl]].<ref name=cfbdwspurrier2005/>

Two days prior to South Carolina's [[2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2006 season]] opener, Spurrier announced that he would kick off the athletics department's capital campaign with a $250,000 donation over five years.<ref>Ben Crane, "[http://www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2006/09/06/News/Coach.Gives.Funds.To.Usc-2258341.shtml?norewrite200609061431&sourcedomain=www.dailygamecock.com Coach Gives funds to USC: Spurrier's gift seeks to aid renovations of athletic facilities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226221610/http://www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2006/09/06/News/Coach.Gives.Funds.To.Usc-2258341.shtml?norewrite200609061431&sourcedomain=www.dailygamecock.com |date=2014-02-26 }}", ''Daily Gamecock'' (September 6, 2006).  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  Spurrier's Gamecocks opened the 2006 season with a 15–0 win over [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]] in [[Davis Wade Stadium|Starkville]],<ref name=cfbdwspurrier2006>College Football Data Warehouse, All-Time Coaching Records, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2206&year=2006 Steve Spurrier: 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102094953/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2206&year=2006 |date=November 2, 2012 }}.  Retrieved August 26, 2009.</ref> where he was 0–2 while coaching the Florida Gators.<ref>College Football Data Warehouse, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/f/florida/opponents_records.php?teamid=2049 Florida vs. Mississippi St] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707060624/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/f/florida/opponents_records.php?teamid=2049 |date=July 7, 2015 }}.  Retrieved September 4, 2009.  Spurrier's Gators lost to Mississippi State in Starkville in 1992 and 2000.</ref>  With the victory, he reached 150 wins for his college coaching career.<ref name=cfbdwspurrierbyyear>College Football Data Warehouse, All-Time Coaching Records, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2206 Steve Spurrier Records by Year] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215012421/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2206 |date=February 15, 2010 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  On September 30, Spurrier was inducted into the [[Florida Gators football#Ring of Honor|Gator Football Ring of Honor]] in a [[pre-game ceremony]] in [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]].<ref>Antonya English, "[http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/01/Sports/Gators_start_Ring_of_.shtml Gators start Ring of Honor with four former greats]", ''St. Petersburg Times'' (October 1, 2006).  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>  Later in the season on November 11, Spurrier returned to "The Swamp" to face off against his former [[2006 Florida Gators football team|Gators team]], which was then ranked sixth in the [[Bowl Championship Series|BCS]] rankings.<ref name=ariley1113>Alex Riley, "[http://media.www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2006/11/13/Sports/Spurriers.Past.Still.Outshines.His.Future-2454651.shtml Spurrier's past still outshines his future: Battle with best of SEC leaves Carolina, Florida fans pondering legacy]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", ''Daily Gamecok'' (November 13, 2006).  Retrieved August 26, 2009.</ref>  Trailing 17–16, the Gamecocks had a chance to win with a 48-yard field goal attempt on the last play of the game.<ref name=ariley1113/>  However, [[Ryan Succop]]'s kick was blocked as time expired in a repeat of an earlier blocked extra-point attempt.<ref name=ariley1113/>

In the final game of the 2006 regular season, Spurrier led the Gamecocks to victory over in-state rival [[Clemson Tigers football|Clemson]] at [[Memorial Stadium (Clemson)|Death Valley]].<ref name=maguilar112706>Michael Aguilar, "[http://media.www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2006/11/27/Sports/Defense.Uses.bend.Dont.Break.Mantra.For.Win-2507623.shtml Defense uses 'bend don't break' mantra for win: Stops on Tiger offense allow gutsy Gamecocks to wrangle seventh win]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", ''Daily Gamecock'' (November 27, 2006).  Retrieved August 26, 2009.</ref>  Trailing 28–14 in the third quarter, South Carolina scored seventeen unanswered points to lead 31–28.<ref>Jonathan Hillyard, "[http://media.www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2006/11/27/Sports/Victory.Over.Rival.Will.Spark.Turnaround.For.Usc-2507628.shtml Victory over rival will spark turnaround for USC: Spurrier says Clemson win could get Carolina ready for future success seasons]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", ''Daily Gamecock'' (November 27, 2006). Retrieved August 26, 2009.</ref>  With only seconds remaining, Clemson's field goal attempt missed wide left and the Gamecocks celebrated their first victory over Clemson in five years.<ref name=maguilar112706/><ref>College Football Data Warehouse, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/south_carolina/opponents_records.php?teamid=721 South Carolina vs. Clemson (SC)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907155437/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/south_carolina/opponents_records.php?teamid=721 |date=September 7, 2015 }}. Retrieved August 26, 2009.</ref>

On December 2, 2006, amid speculation he was a candidate for head coaching jobs at [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami]] and [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]], Spurrier received a contract extension through 2012 and a raise from $1.25 million to $1.75 million annually.<ref>Associated Press, "[https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2683715 Suitors beware, SC gives Spurrier $500K raise]", ESPN (December 2, 2006).  Retrieved July 25, 2009.</ref>  Spurrier and the Gamecocks went on to defeat the [[Houston Cougars football|Houston Cougars]] in the [[2006 Liberty Bowl|Liberty Bowl]] on December 29, and finished the season 8–5.<ref name=cfbdwspurrier2006/>  All five of the Gamecocks' 2006 losses were to ranked opponents.<ref>AP Poll Archive, [http://www.appollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?seasonid=2006 2006 Final AP Football Poll] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801161643/http://www.appollarchive.com/football/ap/seasons.cfm?seasonid=2006 |date=August 1, 2009 }}.  Retrieved August 26, 2009.  In the final AP Poll, the five teams that defeated South Carolina finished as follows: Florida 1st, Auburn 10th, Arkansas 15th, Georgia 23rd, and Tennessee 25th.</ref>  Spurrier became the first head coach in Gamecock football history to take a team to a bowl game in each of his first two seasons.<ref name=cfbdwuscyearly2005>College Football Data Warehouse, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/south_carolina/yearly_results.php?year=2005 South Carolina Yearly Results: 2005–2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010043629/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/south_carolina/yearly_results.php?year=2005 |date=October 10, 2016 }}.  Retrieved August 26, 2009.</ref>

The [[2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|2007 football season]], got off to a quick start winning at SEC rival Georgia early in the season as well as Louisiana-Lafayette and South Carolina State, and climbed into the top 10 in the national rankings. South Carolina stumbled down the stretch dropping the final five games, including a home loss in the season finale to arch-rival Clemson. The 6-6 (3-5 SEC) season record marked the first non-winning college season for Spurrier since his first season at Duke in 1987.<ref name=cfbdwhspurrierrecords>College Football Data Warehouse, South Carolina Coaching Records, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2206 Steve Spurrier Records by Year] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215012421/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=2206 |date=February 15, 2010 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref><ref>Pete Iacobelli, "[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2008-08-25-1139394233_x.htm Spurrier holds down Gamecocks expectations]", ''USA Today'' (August 25, 2008).  Retrieved September 11, 2009.</ref>

[[Image:SpurrierUFvsSouthCarolina2008.jpg|thumb|250px|Spurrier stands on the sidelines during the Gamecocks' November 15, 2008, game against [[2008 Florida Gators football team|Florida]].]]

Spurrier won his 100th SEC game on October 11, 2008, coaching the Gamecocks to a 24–17 victory over [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]].<ref name=cfbdwspurrier2008>College Football Data Warehouse, All-Time Coaching Records, [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2206&year=2008 Steve Spurrier: 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102094937/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2206&year=2008 |date=November 2, 2012 }}.  Retrieved September 3, 2009.</ref>  In his ten seasons as the Gamecocks' head coach, Spurrier has beaten each of South Carolina's traditional SEC Eastern Division rivals at least five times.<ref name=cfbdwuscyearly2005/>  Against their annual SEC Eastern Division opponents, his ten teams have posted an 8–2 record against Kentucky, 8–2 against Vanderbilt, 5–5 against Tennessee, 5–5 against Georgia, 5–5 against Florida, and 2–1 against Missouri who began competing in the SEC in 2012.<ref name=cfbdwuscyearly2005/>  Against South Carolina's major in-state rival, Clemson, Spurrier's Gamecocks have gone 6–4.<ref name=cfbdwuscyearly2005/>  While Spurrier's teams at South Carolina have shown flashes of his old "Fun 'n' Gun" offense, they have mostly relied on stout defense to win upsets.  The Gamecocks have been bowl eligible every year Spurrier has been their head coach, a feat no other Carolina coach has accomplished.  Also, the Gamecocks have been ranked in the AP Poll Top 25 at some point during the season in nine out of Spurrier's ten years at South Carolina. In 2009, Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks upset #4 Ole Miss 16–10 in Columbia, their first victory over a Top 5 team.

[[File:Steve Spurrier ESPNWeekend2010-056.jpg|thumb|Spurrier in 2010]]
Spurrier's Gamecocks won the SEC Eastern Division championship for the first time in school history in [[2010 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|2010]], clinching the title with a convincing 36–14 victory at "The Swamp" over the Florida Gators.  It was a season of firsts for South Carolina, including their first win at Florida, first win over a No. 1 ranked team (Alabama), and first time sweeping the November "Orange Crush" portion of their schedule with wins over Tennessee, Florida and Clemson.  Following a 9–3 regular season and an appearance in the SEC championship game, Spurrier was named SEC Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches in the conference.<ref>GamecoocksOnline.com, Football, "[http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120810aaa.html Spurrier, Lattimore Earn SEC Superlatives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216034617/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120810aaa.html |date=December 16, 2010 }}", (December 8, 2010).  Retrieved December 10, 2010.</ref>

The Gamecocks had another strong season in [[2011 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|2011]], beating every opponent in the division.  However, losses to Arkansas and Auburn cost them a return appearance in the SEC title game.  With a 34–13 rout of Clemson, the Gamecocks won 10 games for only the second time in their 119-year football history.  In the [[2012 Capital One Bowl]], the Gamecocks dispatched Nebraska 30–13 to win their school-record 11th game.  They also finished eighth in the AP Poll and ninth in the Coaches' Poll—their first top-ten finishes in a major media poll in school history.

In [[2012 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|2012]] Spurrier led the Gamecocks to their second-consecutive regular season with double-digit wins—something no Gamecock team had ever achieved. The 2012 regular season culminated with the annual season-ending game against Clemson at Clemson's Memorial Stadium. Spurrier and his Gamecocks emerged with a fourth consecutive double-digit victory over the Tigers.  That win was also Spurrier's 65th win with the Gamecocks, vaulting him past [[Rex Enright]] to become the winningest coach in South Carolina's history. Spurrier led the Gamecocks to a thrilling 33–28 victory in the [[2013 Outback Bowl]] against the winningest program in college football, the Michigan Wolverines. The victory elevated the Gamecocks to an 11–2 record for the 2nd consecutive season. Additionally, by finishing 8th in the Associated Press poll and 7th in the Coaches poll, South Carolina finished in Top 10 of both polls for the second year in a row.

During the 2013 season, Spurrier led his Gamecocks to a third consecutive 11–2 record. Only two other programs (Alabama and Oregon) have won 11 or more games each of the last three seasons (2011–13). During the season, the Gamecocks defeated three teams that finished ranked in the Top 10 in the final AP Poll (Missouri, University of Central Florida, and Clemson). The Gamecocks were the only team to accomplish this feat. They also became the first and only team to defeat two teams that won BCS bowl games. Following their 34–24 win over Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl, the Gamecocks were ranked 4th in the final AP Poll,<ref>{{cite web|title = 2013 NCAA College Football Polls and Rankings for Week 17 - ESPN|url = https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings/_/seasontype/3/year/2013/week/1|website = ESPN.com|access-date = November 30, 2015}}</ref> setting a record for the program. This also marked the third straight year that the Gamecocks finished with a Top 10 ranking in the final AP Poll. While defeating Clemson, again, the Gamecocks ran their winning streak over their archrival to five games, which is the longest winning streak in the rivalry, for either team, since 1940. The 31–17 score marked the 5th straight double-digit margin of victory over their ACC foe. Also, for the 5th straight year, the Gamecocks defense held the Tigers to 17 points or less. They would go on to defeat Wisconsin in the Capital One bowl 34–24 and would finish the year ranked #4, their highest finish ever in a season.

The 2014 Gamecocks endured a disappointing season, going 7–6 overall and 3–5 against SEC opponents, and finishing in fifth place in their division.  With 4 losses and only 2 wins by the middle of the 2015 season, Spurrier announced to his team and staff on October 12, 2015, that he had resigned as head coach. He publicly confirmed his intentions at a press conference the following day. Spurrier reiterated that he was not officially retiring, but added he would probably never coach again.<ref name="Resignation">{{Cite web |last=Schlabach |first=Mark |date=2015-10-13 |title=Spurrier resigns: It's time to get out of the way |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/13879057/steve-spurrier-south-carolina-gamecocks-announces-resignation |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

A popular tradition, started during the [[Sparky Woods]] era at USC, occurs on the last Saturday of July when the [[South Carolina Gamecocks|University of South Carolina athletics department]] hosts the annual "Steve Spurrier Ladies Football Clinic." Only female fans are invited to attend the clinic where football coaches and players discuss the X's and O's with fans who want to understand the game better.  All attendees get a tour of the football facilities, and finish the day running onto the football field through the players' tunnel accompanied by artificial smoke and theme music in the same way the team does during the season.  The event was hosted by Spurrier and his wife Jerri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/incoming/article14324024.html|title=2010 Steve Spurrier Ladies Football Clinic|website=thestate|access-date=October 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecocksonline.com/camps/football-camp-information.html|title=University of South Carolina Official Athletic Site|website=www.gamecocksonline.com|access-date=October 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905080635/http://www.gamecocksonline.com/camps/football-camp-information.html|archive-date=September 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecocksonline.com/blog/2011/04/steve-spurrier-ladies-football-clinic-a-big-hit.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701143031/http://www.gamecocksonline.com/blog/2011/04/steve-spurrier-ladies-football-clinic-a-big-hit.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2016|title=Steve Spurrier Ladies Football Clinic a Big Hit|website=South Carolina Gamecocks|access-date=October 13, 2015}}</ref>

==== Orlando Apollos (2019) ====
In April 2018, Spurrier was named the head coach of the [[Orlando Apollos]] of the [[Alliance of American Football]] (AAF), a new spring football league that was slated to begin play in February 2019. Spurrier was the first coach or player to sign with the AAF, as he thought the four to five month per year commitment made the new league a "perfect job" for him to get back into coaching, giving him an opportunity to finish his career on another winning note – "It's a [[Mulligan (games)|mulligan]] in life," he explained.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/steve-spurrier-florida-returns-coaching-orlando-aaf-alliance-american-football-teams-nfl-college/v7xxey9dwhqh1nyzxd6md3jqo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010228/http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/steve-spurrier-florida-returns-coaching-orlando-aaf-alliance-american-football-teams-nfl-college/v7xxey9dwhqh1nyzxd6md3jqo|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2018|title=Steve Spurrier returns to coaching with new Alliance of American Football|last1=Marx|first1=Bill|date=April 7, 2018|work=Sporting News|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/Steve-Spurrier-returns-to-coaching_167110530/|title=Steve Spurrier returns to coaching|last1=Knight|first1=Joey|date=April 7, 2018|work=tampabay.com|access-date=April 7, 2018|publisher=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref><ref name="ahead"/>

The AAF did not finish the season due to league-wide financial difficulties. The Apollos led the standings with a 7–1 record when the league shut down, leading Spurrier to claim that they should be named the first and only AAF "regular season champions".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Owens |first1=Jason |title=Steve Spurrier claims AAF title at Rick Neuheisel's expense, and a sportsbook agrees |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/steve-spurrier-claims-aaf-title-at-rick-neuheisels-expense-and-1-sports-book-agrees-044342181.html |access-date=April 16, 2019 |work=sports.yahoo.com |publisher=Yahoo Sports |date=April 4, 2019}}</ref><ref name="aafchamps">{{cite news |last1=Pastor |first1=Frank |title=Steve Spurrier on AAF suspending operations: 'We've got to be the champs, right?' |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/florida-gators/2019/04/02/steve-spurrier-on-aaf-suspending-operations-weve-got-to-be-the-champs-right/ |access-date=November 14, 2019 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=April 2, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==After coaching==
[[File:Nikki Haley Order of the Palmetto (27465688052).jpg|thumb|Spurrier receiving the Order of the Palmetto from Governor [[Nikki Haley]].]]
In July 2016, Spurrier returned to the University of Florida to serve as an ambassador and consultant for the athletic program.<ref name="UFambassador">{{cite news | url=http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20160729/ARTICLES/160729976?p=all&tc=pgall | title=Spurrier named UF ambassador | work=The Gainesville Sun / Gatorsports.com | date=July 29, 2016 | access-date=July 30, 2016 | author=Brockway, Kevin | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917012307/http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20160729/ARTICLES/160729976?p=all&tc=pgall | archive-date=September 17, 2016 }}</ref> On September 3, 2016, the field at [[Ben Hill Griffin Stadium]] was renamed to "Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium" in honor of Spurrier's achievements at the university.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Chris |date=September 4, 2016 |title=Swamp Sweet Swamp: Steve Spurrier is back home at Florida |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17464429/steve-spurrier-back-home-florida |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> On June 7, 2016, South Carolina Governor [[Nikki Haley]] inducted Spurrier into the [[Order of the Palmetto]], the highest honor of the South Carolina government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knittle |first=Andrew  |date=January 20, 2017 |title=Gov. Haley hands out Order of the Palmetto to her staff, agency heads |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/gov-haley-hands-out-order-of-the-palmetto-to-her/article_4ca650de-df2f-11e6-ba8d-8f41fd10dbcb.html |access-date=July 18, 2021 |website=The Post and Courier}}</ref> On July 22, 2021, Steve Spurrier was inducted into the [[South Carolina Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vasko |first=Dan |date=July 22, 2021 |title=Spurrier among SC Football Hall of Fame inductees |url=https://www.wspa.com/sports/spurrier-among-sc-football-hall-of-fame-inductees/ |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=WSPA}}</ref>

Since retiring from coaching, Spurrier has been a frequent contributor to sports talk shows on TV, radio, and podcasts, including his own show on [[SiriusXM]] Satellite Radio, co-hosting shows on [[WRUF (AM)|WRUF]] radio in Gainesville, and appearing on many other shows.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-14 |title=College football legend Steve Spurrier joins SiriusXM as analyst |url=https://blog.siriusxm.com/college-football-legend-steve-spurrier-joins-siriusxm-as-analyst |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=SiriusXM |language=en}}</ref>

In 2021, Spurrier opened Spurrier's Gridiron Grill in the Celebration Pointe entertainment complex in Gainesville. The establishment is a [[Bar (establishment)#Entertainment|sports bar]] / restaurant that features large displays of memorabilia from throughout Spurrier's playing and coaching career, including his Heisman Trophy.<ref name="grill">{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Mark |title='Built for Gator Nation': Steve Spurrier floods new Florida restaurant with old memories |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2021/08/14/spurrier-uses-memorabilia-to-create-one-of-a-kind-restaurant/118247472/ |access-date=March 15, 2022 |work=USA TODAY |date=August 14, 2021}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Spurrier married his college sweetheart, the former Jerri Starr, on September 14, 1966, during his senior year at the University of Florida.<ref name=gatorzonespurrierbio/>  They have four children — Lisa, Amy, [[Steve Spurrier Jr.|Steve Jr.]], and Scott, as well as 14 grandchildren.<ref name=heismancom/>  Spurrier's oldest son, Steve Spurrier Jr., has been an assistant football coach for several years, including stints as a receivers coach on his father's staffs in Washington and South Carolina. After his father retired in 2015, Steve Jr. joined [[Bob Stoops]]'s staff at [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]].<ref name="stevejunior">{{cite news | url=http://newsok.com/article/5482395 | title=Steve Spurrier Jr. joins Sooners' staff in off-the-field role | work=The Oklahoman | date=March 2, 2016 | access-date=May 8, 2016 | author=Kersey, Jason}}</ref> Spurrier's younger son, Scott, played wide receiver for the Gamecocks through the 2009 season.<ref>Gamecocks Online, Football, [http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spurrier_scott00.html Scott Spurrier Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907101443/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spurrier_scott00.html |date=September 7, 2009 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref><ref>Gamecocks Online, Football, [http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spurrierjr_steve00.html Steve Spurrier, Jr. Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001224045/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spurrierjr_steve00.html |date=October 1, 2011 }}.  Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> Scott eventually joined his father as tight ends coach of the Orlando Apollos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aaf.com/the-orlando-apollos-of-the-alliance-of-american-football-announce-full-coaching-staff/|title=The Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football Announce Full Coaching Staff|work=[[Alliance of American Football]]|date=December 10, 2018|access-date=January 7, 2019}}</ref>

While he was a [[University of Florida]] student, Spurrier was a member of [[Alpha Tau Omega]] [[College fraternities and sororities|fraternity]] (Alpha Omega chapter), and was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame, the [[University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gator Greats |url=https://gatorfclub.org/hall-of-fame/greats |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Gator F Club, Inc.}}</ref> and [[Florida Blue Key]] leadership honorary. As a coach, he was inducted into [[Omicron Delta Kappa]] at the University of Florida in 1991.

==Career statistics==
=== College ===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="7"| Passing
|-
! Comp !! Att !! Yards !! Pct !! TD !! Int !! Rtg
|-
! [[1964 NCAA University Division football season|1964]] || [[1964 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
| 65 || 114 || 943 || 57.0 || 6 || 10 || 126.3
|-
! [[1965 NCAA University Division football season|1965]] || [[1965 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
| '''148''' || '''287''' || '''1,893''' || 51.6 || '''14''' || 13 || 114.0
|-
! [[1966 NCAA University Division football season|1966]] || [[1966 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
| '''179''' || '''291''' || '''2,012''' || '''61.5''' || 16 || 8 || 132.2
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/steve-spurrier-1.html Total] || 392 || 692 || 4,848 || 56.6 || 36 || 31 || 123.7
|}
Note: '''Bold''' indicates SEC leader<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/steve-spurrier-1.html |title=College Football Reference: Steve Spurrier |access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref>

=== NFL ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="3"| Games
! colspan="8"| Passing
! colspan="3"| Punting
|-
! GP !! GS !! Record !! Cmp !! Att !! Pct !! Yds !! Avg !! TD !! Int !! Rtg !! Punts !! {{tooltip|2=Punting yards|Yards}} !! {{tooltip|2=Gross yards per punt|Y/P}}
|-
! [[1967 NFL season|1967]] !! [[1967 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 14 || 2 || 0−2 || 23 || 50 || 46.0 || 211 || 4.2 || 0 || 7 || 18.4 || 73 || 2,745 || 37.6 
|-
! [[1968 NFL season|1968]] !! [[1968 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 14 || 0 || 0−0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 68 || 2,651 || 39.0
|-
! [[1969 NFL season|1969]] !! [[1969 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 6 || 4 || 2−2 || 81 || 146 || 55.5 || 926 || 6.3 || 5 || 11 || 54.8 || 12 || 468  || '''39.0'''
|-
! [[1970 NFL season|1970]] !! [[1970 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 14 || 0 || 0−0 || 3 || 4 || '''75.0''' || 49 || '''12.3''' || 1 || 0 || '''155.2''' || '''75''' || '''2,877''' || 38.4
|-
! [[1971 NFL season|1971]] !! [[1971 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 6 || 0 || 0−0 || 1 || 4 || 25.0 || 46 || 11.5 || 0 || 0 || 75.0 || 2 || 77 || 38.5
|-
! [[1972 NFL season|1972]] !! [[1972 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 13 || 9 || 6−2–1 || 147 || 269 || 54.6 || '''1,983''' || 7.4 || '''18''' || '''16''' || 75.9 || — || — || —
|-
! [[1973 NFL season|1973]] !! [[1973 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 11 || 5 || 2−3 || 83 || 157 || 52.9 || 882 || 5.6 || 4 || 7 || 59.5 || — || — || —
|-
! [[1974 NFL season|1974]] !! [[1974 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 3 || 0 || 0−0 || 1 || 3 || 33.3 || 2 || 0.7 || 0 || 0 || 42.4 || — || — || —
|-
! [[1975 NFL season|1975]] !! [[1975 San Francisco 49ers season|SF]]
| 11 || 6 || 3−3 || 102 || 207 || 49.3 || 1,151 || 5.6 || 5 || 7 || 60.3 || — || — || —
|-
! [[1976 NFL season|1976]] !! [[1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
| 14 || 12 || 0−12 || '''156''' || '''311''' || 50.2 || 1,628 || 5.2 || 7 || 12 || 57.1 || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SpurSt00.htm Total] !! 106 !! 38 !! 13−24–1 !! 597 !! 1,151 !! 51.9 !! 6,878 !! 6.0 !! 40 !! 60 !! 60.1 !! 230 !! 8,818 !! 38.3
|}

==Head coaching record==

===USFL===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won !!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!!Won!!Lost!!Win %
|-
![[Tampa Bay Bandits|TB]]||[[1983 USFL season|1983]]
|11||7||0||.611||3rd in Central Div.||colspan="3"|''did not qualify''
|-
![[Tampa Bay Bandits|TB]]||[[1984 USFL season|1984]]
|14||4||0||.778||2nd in Southern Div.|| 0 || 1 || .000
|-
![[Tampa Bay Bandits|TB]]||[[1985 USFL season|1985]]
|10||8||0||.556||5th in Eastern Con.|| 0 || 1 || .000
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/c-spurrste001 Total] ||35||19||0||.648||||0||2||.000
|}

===College===
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name         = [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke Blue Devils]]
 | conf         = [[Atlantic Coast Conference]]
 | startyear    = 1987
 | endyear      = 1989
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1987 NCAA Division I-A football season|1987]]
 | name         = [[1987 Duke Blue Devils football team|Duke]]
 | overall      = 5–6
 | conference   = 2–5
 | confstanding = 7th
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1988 NCAA Division I-A football season|1988]]
 | name         = [[1988 Duke Blue Devils football team|Duke]]
 | overall      = 7–3–1
 | conference   = 3–3–1
 | confstanding = 6th
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1989 NCAA Division I-A football season|1989]]
 | name         = [[1989 Duke Blue Devils football team|Duke]]
 | overall      = 8–4
 | conference   = 6–1
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | bowlname     = [[1989 All-American Bowl|All-American]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name         = Duke
 | overall      = 20–13–1
 | confrecord   = 11–9–1
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name         = [[Florida Gators football|Florida Gators]]
 | conf         = [[Southeastern Conference]]
 | startyear    = 1990
 | endyear      = 2001
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1990 NCAA Division I-A football season|1990]]
 | name         = [[1990 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 9–2
 | conference   = 6–1
 | confstanding = 1st {{#tag:ref|Florida was ineligible for the SEC title, a bowl game, and the Coaches' poll in 1990 due to NCAA violations under the previous coach.|group=note|name=1990season}}
 | bowlname     = <ref name=1990season group=note/>
 | bowlopp      = 
 | bowlscore    = 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = <ref name=1990season group=note/>
 | ranking2     = 13
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1991 NCAA Division I-A football season|1991]]
 | name         = [[1991 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 10–2
 | conference   = 7–0
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[1992 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 8
 | ranking2     = 7
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = division
 | year         = [[1992 NCAA Division I-A football season|1992]]
 | name         = [[1992 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 9–4
 | conference   = 6–2
 | confstanding = T–1st <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[1992 Gator Bowl|Gator]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 11
 | ranking2     = 10
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1993 NCAA Division I-A football season|1993]]
 | name         = [[1993 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 11–2
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = 1st <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[1994 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 4
 | ranking2     = 5
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1994 NCAA Division I-A football season|1994]]
 | name         = [[1994 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 10–2–1
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = 1st <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[1995 Sugar Bowl (January)|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 7
 | ranking2     = 7
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1995 NCAA Division I-A football season|1995]]
 | name         = [[1995 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 12–1
 | conference   = 8–0
 | confstanding = 1st <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[1996 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 3
 | ranking2     = 2
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = national
 | year         = [[1996 NCAA Division I-A football season|1996]]
 | name         = [[1996 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 12–1
 | conference   = 8–0
 | confstanding = 1st <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[1997 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 1
 | ranking2     = 1
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1997 NCAA Division I-A football season|1997]]
 | name         = [[1997 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 10–2
 | conference   = 6–2
 | confstanding = T–2nd <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[1998 Florida Citrus Bowl|Florida Citrus]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 6
 | ranking2     = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1998 NCAA Division I-A football season|1998]]
 | name         = [[1998 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 10–2
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = 2nd <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[1999 Orange Bowl|Orange]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 6
 | ranking2     = 5
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = division
 | year         = [[1999 NCAA Division I-A football season|1999]]
 | name         = [[1999 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 9–4
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = 1st <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2000 Florida Citrus Bowl|Florida Citrus]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 14
 | ranking2     = 12
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[2000 NCAA Division I-A football season|2000]]
 | name         = [[2000 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 10–3
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = 1st <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2001 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 11
 | ranking2     = 10
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2001 NCAA Division I-A football season|2001]]
 | name         = [[2001 Florida Gators football team|Florida]]
 | overall      = 10–2
 | conference   = 6–2
 | confstanding = 2nd <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2002 Orange Bowl|Orange]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 3
 | ranking2     = 3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name         = Florida
 | overall      = 122–27–1
 | confrecord   = 82–12
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name         = [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina Gamecocks]]
 | conf         = [[Southeastern Conference]]
 | startyear    = 2005
 | endyear      = 2015
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2005 NCAA Division I-A football season|2005]]
 | name         = [[2005 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 7–5
 | conference   = 5–3
 | confstanding = T–2nd <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2005 Independence Bowl|Independence]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2006]]
 | name         = [[2006 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 8–5
 | conference   = 3–5
 | confstanding = 5th <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2006 Liberty Bowl|Liberty]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2007]]
 | name         = [[2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 6–6
 | conference   = 3–5
 | confstanding = T–4th <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2008]]
 | name         = [[2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 7–6
 | conference   = 4–4
 | confstanding = T–3rd <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2009 Outback Bowl|Outback]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2009]]
 | name         = [[2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 7–6
 | conference   = 3–5
 | confstanding = T–4th <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl|PapaJohns.com]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = division
 | year         = [[2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2010]]
 | name         = [[2010 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 9–5
 | conference   = 5–3
 | confstanding = 1st <small> (Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl|Chick-fil-A]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 22
 | ranking2     = 22
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2011]]
 | name         = [[2011 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 11–2
 | conference   = 6–2
 | confstanding = 2nd <small> (Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2012 Capital One Bowl|Capital One]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 8
 | ranking2     = 9
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2012]]
 | name         = [[2012 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 11–2
 | conference   = 6–2
 | confstanding = 3rd <small> (Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2013 Outback Bowl|Outback]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 10
 | ranking      = 7
 | ranking2     = 8
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2013]]
 | name         = [[2013 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 11–2
 | conference   = 6–2
 | confstanding = 2nd <small> (Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2014 Capital One Bowl|Capital One]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 4
 | ranking2     = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2014]]
 | name         = [[2014 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 7–6
 | conference   = 3–5
 | confstanding =  T–4th <small>(Eastern)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2014 Independence Bowl|Independence]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2015]]
 | name         = [[2015 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
 | overall      = 2–4
 | conference   = 0–4
 | confstanding = {{#tag:ref|Spurrier resigned on October 12, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/steve-spurrier-resigns-quits-on-his-team-south-carolina-gamecocks/gmhlc0sw3oxr1jv6pmegmcfjt|title=Steve Spurrier did the unthinkable: He quit on his team|last=Owens|first=Jeff|date=October 14, 2015|website=sportingnews.com|access-date=September 2, 2019}}</ref> [[Shawn Elliott (American football)|Shawn Elliott]] was named interim head coach and led the Gamecocks to a final record of 3-9.|group=note|name=2015season}}
 | bowlname     = 
 | bowloutcome  = 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name         = South Carolina
 | overall      = 86–49
 | confrecord   = 44–40
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall     = 228–89–2
 | yearstart   = 1992
 | yearend     = 2001
 | poll        = two
 | polltype    = 
}}

===NFL===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won !!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Result
|-
![[2002 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]||[[2002 NFL season|2002]]
|7||9||0||.438||3rd in NFC East|| - || - || - || -
|-
![[2003 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]||[[2003 NFL season|2003]]
|5||11||0||.313||3rd in NFC East|| - || - || - || -
|-
! colspan="2"|WAS Total ||12||20||0|| .375 |||| 0 || 0 ||.000|| 
|-
! colspan="2"| Total ||12||20||0||.375|||| 0 || 0 ||.000|| 
|}

===AAF===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Team !! rowspan="2"| Year !! colspan="5"| Regular season !! colspan="4"| Postseason
|-
! Won !! Lost !! Ties !! Win % !! Finish !! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|- ! style="background:#FDE910;"
! [[2019 Orlando Apollos season|ORL]] || [[2019 AAF season|2019]]
| 7 || 1 || 0 || {{winpct|6|1|0}} || 1st {{#tag:ref|The [[Alliance of American Football]] folded after playing eight games of a planned ten-game schedule, at which point the Apollos held a two game lead in the standings.|group=note|name=Apollos}} || — || — || — || — |
|}

==Coaching tree==
Assistant coaches under Spurrier who became head coaches:

* [[Jim Bates (American football)|Jim Bates]]: [[Miami Dolphins]] (2004; interim)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len |title=Spurrier wanted to talk to Bates about vacancy |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1314597.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
* [[Kerwin Bell]]: [[Jacksonville Dolphins football|Jacksonville University]] (2007–2015), [[Valdosta State Blazers football|Valdosta State]] (2016–2018), [[Western Carolina Catamounts football|Western Carolina]] (2021–present)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huber |first=Zachary |date=2021-05-30 |title=Former Gators great Kerwin Bell reflects on his football career |url=https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/30/kerwin-bell-florida-football-great-reflects-on-career/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Gators Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Shane Beamer]]: [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina]] (2021–present)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Adam |date=2020-12-12 |title=Shane Beamer reveals his favorite memory from his time on South Carolina's staff under Steve Spurrier |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/south-carolina-football/shane-beamer-reveals-his-favorite-memory-from-his-time-on-south-carolinas-staff-under-steve-spurrier/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Shawn Elliott (American football)|Shawn Elliott]]: South Carolina (2015; interim), [[Georgia State Panthers football|Georgia State]] (2017–2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Backus |first=Will |date=2024-02-16 |title=South Carolina hires Georgia State's Shawn Elliott for assistant role as Panthers postpone spring practice |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/south-carolina-hires-georgia-states-shawn-elliott-for-assistant-role-as-panthers-postpone-spring-practice/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Jedd Fisch]]: [[Arizona Wildcats football|Arizona]] (2021–2023), [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]] (2024–present)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lev |first=Michael |date=2021-10-21 |title=Jedd Fisch's mentor imparts lessons from the past that could help Arizona in the present |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/football/jedd-fisch-s-mentor-imparts-lessons-from-the-past-that-could-help-arizona-in-the/article_7282e638-2ee8-11ec-9400-175ac13d2a31.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Arizona Daily Star |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Carl Franks]]: [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]] (1999–2003)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woronoff |first=Brent |date=August 26, 2014 |title=Former UF assistant, Duke head coach Franks 'elevates' B-CU staff |url=https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2014/08/26/former-uf-assistant-duke-head-coach-franks-elevates-b-cu-staff/30679903007/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Daytona Beach News-Journal Online |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Hue Jackson]]: [[Oakland Raiders]] (2011), [[Cleveland Browns]] (2016–2018), [[Grambling State Tigers football|Grambling State]] (2022–2023)<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 25, 2002 |title=Spurrier Promotes Jackson to Coordinator |url=https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Spurrier-Promotes-Jackson-to-Coordinator-10573679.php |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=The Edwardsville Intelligencer |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Marvin Lewis]]: [[Cincinnati Bengals]] (2003–2018)<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2001 |title=Carousel stops: Lewis accepts deal with Redskins |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2002/0210/1326994.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
* [[G. A. Mangus]]: [[Delaware Valley University]] (2002–2005)<ref>{{Cite web |title=G.A. Mangus - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Tight Ends - Football Coaches |url=https://kubears.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/g-amangus/675 |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Kutztown University Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Sammy McCorkle]]: [[Dartmouth Big Green football|Dartmouth]] (2024–present)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dartmouthsports.com/news/2016/10/17/211233592 | title=McCorkle Building Families in Hanover | date=October 17, 2016 }}</ref>
* [[Bob Pruett]]: [[Marshall Thundering Herd football|Marshall]] (1996–2004)<ref>{{Cite web |date=1994-03-04 |title=UF HIRES DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR FROM TULANE |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1994/03/04/uf-hires-defensive-coordinator-from-tulane/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Sun Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Rick Stockstill]]: [[Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football|Middle Tennessee]] (2006–2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amato |first=Aldo Giovanni |date=May 10, 2016 |title=Steve Spurrier talks MTSU, retirement |url=https://www.dnj.com/story/sports/college/mtsu/2016/05/10/steve-spurrier-talks-mtsu-retirement/84212614/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=The Daily News Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Bob Stoops]]: [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] (1999–2016)<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fornelli |first1=Tom |last2=Silverstein |first2=Adam |date=2017-06-07 |title=Former Florida boss Steve Spurrier shares his thoughts on Bob Stoops' retirement |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/former-florida-boss-steve-spurrier-shares-his-thoughts-on-bob-stoops-retirement/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Charlie Strong]]: [[Louisville Cardinals football|Louisville]] (2010–2013), [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]] (2014–2016), [[South Florida Bulls football|South Florida]] (2017–2019)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Joey |date=December 19, 2016 |title=Slocum to Spurrier: Charlie Strong discusses his influences |url=https://www.tampabay.com/slocum-to-spurrier-charlie-strong-discusses-his-influences/2306867/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Buddy Teevens]]: [[Stanford Cardinal football|Stanford]] (2002–2004), [[Dartmouth Big Green football|Dartmouth]] (1987–1991, 2005–2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGarvey |first=Izzy |date=2023-09-20 |title=Former Florida Assistant Coach Buddy Teevens Passes Away at 66 |url=https://www.wruf.com/headlines/2023/09/20/former-florida-assistant-coach-buddy-teevens-passes-away-at-66/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ESPN 98.1 FM - 850 AM WRUF |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[John Thompson (American football coach)|John Thompson]]: [[East Carolina Pirates football|East Carolina]] (2003–2004)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-12-17 |title=Spurrier hires two; Thompson takes leave of absence |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2263061 |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Barry Wilson (American football)|Barry Wilson]]: [[Duke Blue Devils football|Duke]] (1990–1993)<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 12, 1996 |title=Wilson hired as Gators assistant |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/01/12/wilson-hired-as-gators-assistant/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Eric Wolford]]: [[Youngstown State Penguins football|Youngstown State]] (2010–2014)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-09 |title=Former Spurrier assistant returns as Gamecocks' OL coach |url=https://www.wistv.com/story/34216831/former-spurrier-assistant-returns-as-ol-coach |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=WISTV |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ron Zook]]: Florida (2002–2004), [[Illinois Fighting Illini football|Illinois]] (2005–2011)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pells |first=Eddie |date=August 16, 2002 |title=Zook looks to emerge from Spurrier's long shadow |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2002/08/16/zook-looks-to-emerge-from-spurriers-long-shadow/31612730007/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Gainesville Sun |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of college football career coaching wins leaders]]
* [[List of Florida Gators football All-Americans]]
* [[List of Florida Gators in the NFL draft]]
* [[List of University of Florida alumni]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==Notes and references==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* Carlson, Norm, ''University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators'', Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007).  {{ISBN|0-7948-2298-3}}.
* {{cite book | last = Chastain | first = Bill | title = The Steve Spurrier Story: From Heisman to Head Ballcoach  | publisher = Taylor Trade Publishing| year = 2002 | isbn = 978-0878333165 }}
* Golenbock, Peter, ''Go Gators!  An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory'', Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002).  {{ISBN|0-9650782-1-3}}.
* Hairston, Jack, ''Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told'', Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002).  {{ISBN|1-58261-514-4}}.
* {{cite book | last = Henry | first = Ran | title = Spurrier: How the Ball Coach Taught the South to Play Football | publisher = Lyons Press | location = Guilford, Connecticut | year = 2014 | isbn = 978-0762791842 }}
* McCarthy, Kevin M., [https://books.google.com/books?id=_Tk-IQepI6cC  ''Fightin' Gators: A History of University of Florida Football''], Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina (2000).  {{ISBN|978-0-7385-0559-6}}.
* McEwen, Tom, ''The Gators: A Story of Florida Football'', The Strode Publishers, Huntsville, Alabama (1974).  {{ISBN|0-87397-025-X}}.
* Nash, Noel, ed., ''The Gainesville Sun Presents The Greatest Moments in Florida Gators Football'', Sports Publishing, Inc., Champaign, Illinois (1998).  {{ISBN|1-57167-196-X}}.
* Proctor, Samuel, & Wright Langley, ''Gator History: A Pictorial History of the University of Florida'', South Star Publishing Company, Gainesville, Florida (1986).  {{ISBN|0-938637-00-2}}.
* {{cite book | title=Head Ball Coach: My Life in Football | publisher=New Rider Press | author=Spurrer, Steve with Buddy Martin | year=2016 | isbn=978-0399574665}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{College Football HoF|1884|Steve Spurrier (player)}}
* {{College Football HoF|2407|Steve Spurrier (coach)}}
* {{Heisman|steve-spurrier}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=steve-spurrier |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |si= |pfr=S/SpurSt00 |rotoworld= }}

{{Navboxes
| list1 = 
{{Florida Gators quarterback navbox}}
{{49ers1967DraftPicks}}
{{San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Duke Blue Devils football coach navbox}}
{{Florida Gators football coach navbox}}
{{Washington Commanders head coaches}}
{{South Carolina Gamecocks football coach navbox}}
{{AAFHeadCoaches}}
{{1996 Florida Gators football navbox}}
{{Southeastern Conference Football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{Sporting News College Football Player of the Year}}
{{UPI College Football Player of the Year}}
{{1966 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Heisman Winners}}
{{1967 NFL Draft}}
{{49ersFirstPick}}
{{1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers}}
{{Paul "Bear" Bryant Award Lifetime Achievement Award}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spurrier, Steve}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:American football punters]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Florida]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Tennessee]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Duke Blue Devils football coaches]]
[[Category:Florida Gators football coaches]]
[[Category:Florida Gators football players]]
[[Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football coaches]]
[[Category:Heisman Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Orlando Apollos coaches]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Johnson City, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Tennessee]]
[[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]]
[[Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football coaches]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Miami Beach, Florida]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Miami-Dade County, Florida]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Bandits coaches]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins head coaches]]