The Ole Ball Coach Steve Spurrier was a guest on The Kevin Sheehan Show podcast, Wednesday.
Overall it was clear Sheehan offered Spurrier multiple opportunities to blast owner Daniel Snyder for the way he interrupted and did not permit Spurrier to be the actual head coach of the team during his two seasons in Washington (2002-03).
Spurrier expressed, “I don’t want to make excuses,” I don’t want to get into all of that, Kevin.” I didn’t do a very good job either. I will take all the blame.” So, he remained, for the most part, vague and general only offering a couple of particulars.
Spurrier told Sheehan that he had coached three pro teams and three college teams, and it was only in Washington “where I was not actually in charge of the team.” But I didn’t do a very good job either. So it was time to get out of there.”
“I don’t want to try to make a whole bunch of excuses. Obviously, I thought we were going to get a general manager and a guy I could work with, but all of that didn’t work out. When I couldn’t choose the quarterbacks my second year, I knew my butt needed to get out of there. So, that’s about all I need to say.”
Can't believe former Redskins legend Steve Spurrier is retiring. We'll always have the Osaka preseason game. #HTTR pic.twitter.com/oc34mSSeUI
— Greg Rosenstein (@grosenstein) October 13, 2015
Spurrier confirmed Bobby Beathard was brought up as a possible GM for him, but it never occurred. He also expressed he brought in several former Gators because he felt they knew the system. But then laughed that they didn’t last very long, saying, “I wasn’t in charge of the cuts either.”
Spurrier displayed his sense of humor, conveying how Steve Mariucci accused him of running up the score in a preseason game and also of how he went 1-0 against Bill Belichick, a 2003 20-17 Redskins win over the Patriots.
Sheehan pointed out that in Spurrier’s 2003 season, 12 of the 16 games were decided by a touchdown or less. Note it was actually 11 of 16, but Sheehan’s point is certainly well-taken. Spurrier’s two Washington teams have gotten worse over the years in the minds of fans than they actually were.
Spurrier still loves to golf, but not nearly as well or often as he did in his younger days, as he will celebrate his 78th birthday on April 20.
Spurrier now has an office on the campus of the University of Florida. The name of the field in the stadium is Steve Spurrier Field. He is now employed by the university as an ambassador for the Gators.
He also has a restaurant in Gainesville, Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, which Spurrier expressed is doing very well. Where is Spurrier’s restaurant located? Why, on Steve Spurrier Way, of course.
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