Spurrier needed another challenge

Former Florida coach has the tools to be an NFL success

Steve Spurrier surprised the college football world Friday by resigning as Florida head coach, only two days after his Gators scored a resounding Orange Bowl victory, saying in a statement that a dozen years at one school was enough. CNNSI.com spoke with Sports Illustrated senior writer Tim Layden about the move.

CNNSI.com: How shocking is this?

Tim Layden: It's fairly shocking, in that we all had accepted Spurrier as a life-long Gator. At the same time, now that it's happened, we can step back and realize that this is a guy with a lot of drive and ambition, and that he either has more plans or just got tired out.

CNNSI.com: Why do this now, without an NFL job firmly in hand?

Layden: We know the Chargers and Vikings have openings, and the Bucs might be open. First of all, it's possible he already has had contact with somebody; I don't think we can overlook that possibility. Second, he's financially secure and 56 years old. He doesn't need to work anymore if he doesn't want to; he doesn't need the job security. Third, even if he hasn't already tested the NFL waters, he knows he'd be a hot commodity as soon as he was available. Remember, he's never said he doesn't want to coach in the NFL. All he's ever said is, "I'm very happy at the University of Florida." I don't think there's any question that a guy like Spurrier thirsts for challenges, and this certainly would be one.

CNNSI.com: Do you think he felt like the college game was getting too easy or that he had nothing left to accomplish?

Layden: The funny thing is, I would've thought that he was in another challenging period in his career. The Gators struggled last year, and they appeared to have as much talent as anybody in the country this season but got beat twice. With Rex Grossman coming back, if Spurrier's vision was focused on the Florida job, I would've thought that he would view himself as having another challenge to win his second national championship next year. He has a lot of players coming back and Florida will be very highly ranked in the preseason. So I don't think this is a no-more-worlds-to-conquer decision. Unless he just figures that after 12 seasons and 122 wins, he's run that table enough.

CNNSI.com: Spurrier's name has been bandied about several times in past years with regard to other NFL openings. Why is now the right time to pursue that avenue?

Layden: We'll have to wait and see what he says and what he does. Common sense would dictate that he's getting old enough that he's not going to be hot forever, and he's smart enough to realize that. There's nothing in his personal life -- he has a bunch of grown children, with one adopted son still in the house. So it's not like has an empty nest to run away from. If he's leaving, he simply has to want a challenge and to be tired of the old one. He realizes the opportunity might not be there for much longer. One thing's for sure: It's definitely not about money.

CNNSI.com: Will he be successful in the professional ranks?

Layden: It's impossible to say how good he'll be. When the Notre Dame job opened up, my thinking was that the two best coaches in college football are Steve Spurrier and Bob Stoops. And if I could have one person to run a college football program, it would be Spurrier -- not because of the grandfatherly, all-controlling image people have of college coaches, but because Spurrier is the smartest, most quick-witted, intelligent coach I've ever sat across a desk from. The guy knows what he's doing. If he can translate that to pro players, he will be a great coach. Of course, others have failed to do that and thus failed as pro coaches. But Spurrier has the intellect and drive perfectly suited to football at any level. If he can use those tools, he'll be a great coach. If he tries to be an autocrat that won't work, dealing with pro athletes.

CNNSI.com: Where does Florida go for Spurrier's successor?

Layden: I would be surprised -- and this could change -- if the job went to anybody on his staff. But if it did, there are two candidates: Buddy Teevens, the former Dartmouth and Tulane coach who is Spurrier's closest friend on the staff and a guy he respects, or Jon Hoke, the defensive coordinator. My gut feeling is that if it stays in-house, Teevens is the No. 1 guy. Beyond that, Jeremy Foley must make a call to Stoops. It's a huge job and there are not many guys who can come in and operate at the level at which Spurrier has operated. Also, he hasn't moved many assistants on to high-profile positions who could come back and do the job -- except Stoops, who is logical to pursue. But he has a pretty good job already.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Tim Layden is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.

Related information
Stories
Tim Layden's Insider Archive Spurrier resigns after 12 seasons at Florida Text of Steve Spurrier's statement
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.