Spurrier speaks about Coach Nix

[Cockholio]

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Spurrier: Relationship between team, Nix wasn't working

By Travis Haney
The Post and Courier
Thursday, December 20, 2007
USC Football Notes
COLUMBIA — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier acknowledged Wednesday that, while he didn't fire former defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix, there was an understanding that the relationship between team and coach wasn't going as planned.
Spurrier made the revelation in his news conference to announce the hiring of new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, the former Georgia defensive coordinator and current Atlanta Falcons linebackers coach.
Nix, who just finished his third year with Spurrier, left Dec. 11 to become Ole Miss' defensive coordinator under new coach Houston Nutt.
In Nix's final year at USC, the 6-6 Gamecocks finished 56th in the country in total defense (378.9 yards a game) and, more alarming, 109th in rush defense (209.3 yards a game).
"He knew it wasn't working well. He knew it wasn't working all that well," Spurrier said. "I didn't want to let him go. He's a wonderful guy and really just needed to wait it out. Houston Nutt obviously thought enough about him to want to talk to him. It was just a wonderful opportunity for him, it really was."
Spurrier assembled a Dec. 7 meeting of some of the assistants and told them that being flexible and looking for other jobs might be in their best interest. Nix then contacted Nutt through an intermediary and was hired a few days later.
"Tyrone worked endlessly. Good guy, good job," Spurrier said. "But sometimes if it's not working real well, you've got to make some changes. Tyrone's got an excellent opportunity at Ole Miss. It worked out beautifully that he got that job."
Chatham fired
To accommodate the hiring of VanGorder and special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski, Spurrier confirmed Wednesday that second-year assistant Fred Chatham was not retained.
Chatham coached the tight ends and was the co-special teams coordinator this past year. Rych-leski will also coach USC's tight ends, just as he did at Maryland for seven seasons.
Spurrier said Wednesday he doesn't anticipate any additional staff changes moving forward.
"Right now, we don't anticipate any more changes," he said. "I don't anticipate any of our guys are leaving."
Spurrier said Shane Beamer, who was the co-special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, will likely shift to coach the team's defensive backs alongside Ron Cooper. The final decision about Beamer's role will be left, Spurrier said, with VanGorder.
Staying put?
Spurrier reiterated that he thinks junior receiver Kenny McKinley and injured linebacker Jasper Brinkley are going to return to school.
Spurrier spoke earlier in the week with McKinley, who recently had minor toe surgery to alleviate an arthritic condition. He said that quelled even the slightest NFL thoughts for McKinley, a first-team All-SEC selection after breaking the school record for catches in a season.
He said he expects Brinkley, who's almost all the way back from a Sept. 22 knee injury, to follow suit. Brinkley led the team in tackles two years ago.
"I really believe Kenny McKinley when he says he's coming back," Spurrier said. "He says he and Jasper are all set. That's their word right now, and I believe those guys."
Special special teams
Spurrier said he's known Rychleski since the 2002 Orange Bowl, when Maryland played Florida in Spurrier's final game with the Gators.
Spurrier said Rychleski's claim of never having a punt blocked in seven years with the Terps is certainly intriguing.
"I really felt like this guy knows how to coach special teams," Spurrier said. "Everyone I asked about him concurred that he's a heck of a coach. We really need a guy to get our special teams solidified."
This and that
Spurrier said he doesn't expect any academic casualties leading into winter workouts and spring practice. ... He said the 2008 spring game will be held April 19, a week later than the 2007 scrimmage. ... Winter workouts for the players begin Jan. 14.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com (thaney@postandcourier.com).


Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com (thaney@postandcourier.com).


Copyright © 1997 - 2007 the Evening Post Publishing Co.

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[WandoCock]

So what happened to Shane Beamer?

[WandoCock]

Never mind

[horseshoefootball]

nvm

[TStone]

I think retaining Hunt is a bad idea. I was really hoping to see a change there. Maybe the change will happen internally with another coach taking over and Hunt doing something else... maybe focusing on recruiting. I know I sound like sour grapes, but the guy had shown us nothing; our offensive line has been declining, not getting better.

[GeathersFan]

I don't see why we keept Beamer. I know he comes from a proud family, but special team was not that great and we have a knew LB coach. Basically we hired someone to do his job. Moving him to DB coach is a bad move when you already have a DB coach. You only need one coach for DBs. I would have prefered letting him go and bring in another oline coach. I would have also liked another DL coach but keeping a guy on the staff for freindship sake is not need here. We can't afford it.

[TStone]

I don't see why we keept Beamer. I know he comes from a proud family, but special team was not that great and we have a knew LB coach. Basically we hired someone to do his job. Moving him to DB coach is a bad move when you already have a DB coach. You only need one coach for DBs. I would have prefered letting him go and bring in another oline coach. I would have also liked another DL coach but keeping a guy on the staff for freindship sake is not need here. We can't afford it.

Beamer is still a very solid special teams coach. He at least needs to be given the chance to develop players futher. Also, almost all of the special teams cues (or miscues) last year were coming from Chatham who was calling the plays from the sidelines.

[Blake]

bc beamer is a good recruiter and very good at reaching out to the kids. With him and SS jr, and coach G we have some great young guys to can really recruit well. I think with Shane knowing what they do at VT and know with the new guy we are going to have some great coaching on the special teams.

[atrain3067]

I think retaining Hunt is a bad idea. I was really hoping to see a change there. Maybe the change will happen internally with another coach taking over and Hunt doing something else... maybe focusing on recruiting. I know I sound like sour grapes, but the guy had shown us nothing; our offensive line has been declining, not getting better.

You and me both. I knew we had problems, but Hunt was the first one that I thought should have been shown the door after this season, not Nix and not Chatham. Not that what we have now aren't upgrades, they are, but Hunt was the one that should have been replaced from the get-go.

[akn4bkn]

Beamer pissed off Spurrier too many times by calling onside kicks without Spurrier's knowledge, having punts blocked one after another, and fumbling too many returns. Beamer got downgraded from Manager to Mailroom boy.

[Cocklover]

LMAO, i believe Spurrier knows exactly what hes doing by making the moves he has done. I can't think of anyone better to make these decisions.

[TStone]

Beamer pissed off Spurrier too many times by calling onside kicks without Spurrier's knowledge, having punts blocked one after another, and fumbling too many returns. Beamer got downgraded from Manager to Mailroom boy.

Chatham called those onside kicks and was responsible for the punt formations.... not Beamer.

[AdoptedCock]

Beamer pissed off Spurrier too many times by calling onside kicks without Spurrier's knowledge, having punts blocked one after another, and fumbling too many returns. Beamer got downgraded from Manager to Mailroom boy.

Beamer coached punt and kick-off returns...Chatham coached kicking and punting plus coverage...

[Flameout12]

Beamer pissed off Spurrier too many times by calling onside kicks without Spurrier's knowledge, having punts blocked one after another, and fumbling too many returns. Beamer got downgraded from Manager to Mailroom boy.
Not only are you wrong, but bashing coaches is clearly against forum rules.
The mailroom boy comment is out of line Mr. :-x

[SNEEZ]

April 19th huh...

making reservations now!

[superstar90]

I don't think he was right about it, but "mailroom boy" is hardly harsh or bashing.

[TalkingHead]

I think retaining Hunt is a bad idea. I was really hoping to see a change there. Maybe the change will happen internally with another coach taking over and Hunt doing something else... maybe focusing on recruiting. I know I sound like sour grapes, but the guy had shown us nothing; our offensive line has been declining, not getting better.

I agree. I felt like the OL was as glaringly in need of a new coach as was ST.

[Click]

I think retaining Hunt is a bad idea. I was really hoping to see a change there. Maybe the change will happen internally with another coach taking over and Hunt doing something else... maybe focusing on recruiting. I know I sound like sour grapes, but the guy had shown us nothing; our offensive line has been declining, not getting better.


Hunt's a good coach. Our OL looked great the 2nd half of last season. The problem was that we haven't been that deep with talent on the OL, but I expect that to get better over ther next few seasons since we have so many underclassmen at that position. J. Meredith and Sorenson didn't have such a good year this year, but there was little to no depth behind them so there was no choice but to leave them out there. The guard spots we knew were gonna be a weakspot for us, and it turned out to be just that. Not so much coaching but a lack of experience.

[TStone]

Hunt's a good coach. Our OL looked great the 2nd half of last season. The problem was that we haven't been that deep with talent on the OL, but I expect that to get better over ther next few seasons since we have so many underclassmen at that position. J. Meredith and Sorenson didn't have such a good year this year, but there was little to no depth behind them so there was no choice but to leave them out there. The guard spots we knew were gonna be a weakspot for us, and it turned out to be just that. Not so much coaching but a lack of experience.

I'm not buying it. Hunt's had three years to develop players on the O line. During 2005, 2006 and 2007 we've ranked 76th, 52nd and 94th in the nation in sacks allowed. If it weren't for Syvelle last year I think we would have been much worse than 52nd. I don't believe so many schools over the past few years have players who have that much more playing experience than our guys. Those numbers are horrible. SOMETHING has got to give.

[Click]

I'm not buying it. Hunt's had three years to develop players on the O line. During 2005, 2006 and 2007 we've ranked 76th, 52nd and 94th in the nation in sacks allowed. If it weren't for Syvelle last year I think we would have been much worse than 52nd. I don't believe so many schools over the past few years have players who have that much more playing experience than our guys. Those numbers are horrible. SOMETHING has got to give.

Lou didn't leave us much on the OL. Remember last season how we were playing so many former walk-ons on the OL? Spurrier's first recruiting class included how many OL's???... not many, if any. His 2nd class was ripe with OL's but those guys were either true sophomores or RS freshmen this year. Hell, there was so much concern about the guard spots this season that he moved a very good DL over to help out. No the reality is that our best OL's are still young & developing. Its a shame that Eckerson and Anderson couldn't have been redshirted their freshmen yrs, but we had such little depth that they were forced to play.

[TStone]

Lou didn't leave us much on the OL. Remember last season how we were playing so many former walk-ons on the OL? Spurrier's first recruiting class included how many OL's???... not many, if any. His 2nd class was ripe with OL's but those guys were either true sophomores or RS freshmen this year. Hell, there was so much concern about the guard spots this season that he moved a very good DL over to help out. No the reality is that our best OL's are still young & developing. Its a shame that Eckerson and Anderson couldn't have been redshirted their freshmen yrs, but we had such little depth that they were forced to play.

I see your point, but let me ask you one question.... Do you really believe that none of the 93 schools who ranked ahead of us in sacks allowed had a younger O-line than we did? Or that all of them had more talent than he have?

I gave him the benefit of the doubt through the first two seasons and attributed it to the youth on the offensie line, but you can only float that excuse for so long and three years is a pretty long time.

[TheGuitarCock]

I see your point, but let me ask you one question.... Do you really believe that none of the 93 schools who ranked ahead of us in sacks allowed had a younger O-line than we did? Or that all of them had more talent than he have?

I gave him the benefit of the doubt through the first two seasons and attributed it to the youth on the offensie line, but you can only float that excuse for so long and three years is a pretty long time.

:clap:

[Flameout12]

I can live with fans accepting mediocrity, but not the HBC.
With the changes he made in 2 of 3 key areas that needed improvement now over, I will be very disappointed if HBC does not "upgrade" this final position.
All I can say is that if the OL coaching position remains intact, I have no confidence that this program will ever move ahead of 4th place in the SEC.

But this is HBC's team to coach and he gets paid the big $$, not me. I will say every fan I've talked to since the end of the season has expressed concern about this area, which tells me it's obvious to most fans that we have problems with OL coaching and development.

[TheGuitarCock]

The only hope I have left is how good they played the second half of the season. I'm just hoping we can break out a full season of a solid o-line.

[TalkingHead]

The only hope I have left is how good they played the second half of the season. I'm just hoping we can break out a full season of a solid o-line.

Unfortunately, that is what I have said the the last two years and it hasn't happened yet. It is a pattern that has repeated itself every year.

[superstar90]

Well this upcoming season is going to be the time for Hunt to shine. If he doesn't get it done in 08, he has to go.

[Jubjub Bird]

Just to chime in (in case SOS is reading this): I too will be profoundly disappointed if we do not get a new o-line coach this off season.

I question that our o-line talent was as mediocre as everyone says it was/is, but IF it was mediocre, then our line play should have at least been mediocre. It wasn't. It was abysmal, verging on disastrous.

I read on some board (maybe CT) that our offensive linemen were overheard in the Clemson game asking who to block: if this is true, it was the 12th game of the season and they didn't know their assignments. This is coaching, plain and simple.

Coach Hunt has a "grading out" coaching methodology that involves grading a player's performance based on how many things he does technically correct that show up in game and practice film. I think this coaching approach makes our guys play timid b/c they are afraid to make mistakes and lose their spot.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but my post probably wouldn't get past the mods, so I'll stop here.

[bhusc2002]

I see your point, but let me ask you one question.... Do you really believe that none of the 93 schools who ranked ahead of us in sacks allowed had a younger O-line than we did? Or that all of them had more talent than he have?

I gave him the benefit of the doubt through the first two seasons and attributed it to the youth on the offensie line, but you can only float that excuse for so long and three years is a pretty long time.and how many schools that had as young/younger o-line than we did had to compete in the SEC? i'm not saying they did well, they were horrible, but i'm just saying that i dont reallly think there are 93 o-lines in the country that if our guys were put in instead of theirs, would still do better than ours.

[TStone]

and how many schools that had as young/younger o-line than we did had to compete in the SEC? i'm not saying they did well, they were horrible, but i'm just saying that i dont reallly think there are 93 o-lines in the country that if our guys were put in instead of theirs, would still do better than ours.

...and I'm sure Hunt would do just fine at those schools, but since he coaches in the SEC I think it's time we had a SEC calibre O-line coach.

I'm not sayin... I'm just sayin.

[bhusc2002]

...and I'm sure Hunt would do just fine at those schools, but since he coaches in the SEC I think it's time we had a SEC calibre O-line coach.

I'm not sayin... I'm just sayin.
oh i wasnt saying anything about hunt, i was talking about the ablility/talent of our players.

[Flameout12]

Well this upcoming season is going to be the time for Hunt to shine. If he doesn't get it done in 08, he has to go.Friend, the problem with this is the same thing was said a year ago. And how many times over and over was the OL discussed on this board going into spring drills?

'07 was the OL coach's time to shine...it was his 3rd year with the team and rather than stepping up, we actually fell back. The loss to Vandy alone should have cost someone their job considering where we were at at the time and who horrible the OL played. The Vandy D came in and just beat our butts on the line with smart defensive play. Our OL got outcoached...how long do we put up with this? How can we talk about winning championships if our OL guys don't even know who to block? How can we accept the excuses of youth, inexperience and recruiting when there are other teams that find ways to work around these obstacles?

I can't live in denial on this...this is a big speed bump in our path to greatness IMO.

I'm greatly appreciative of the HBC for making some quality upgrades in 2 key staffing positions but I'm having a hard time bringing closure to this forgettable '07 season if we don't complete the loop here.

[Jubjub Bird]

The loss to Vandy alone should have cost someone their job considering where we were at at the time and who horrible the OL played. The Vandy D came in and just beat our butts on the line with smart defensive play. Our OL got outcoached...how long do we put up with this?

Weren't there five false starts and seven sacks in the Vandy game?

Five false starts at home? Unreal.

[TalkingHead]

Friend, the problem with this is the same thing was said a year ago. And how many times over and over was the OL discussed on this board going into spring drills?

'07 was the OL coach's time to shine...it was his 3rd year with the team and rather than stepping up, we actually fell back. The loss to Vandy alone should have cost someone their job considering where we were at at the time and who horrible the OL played. The Vandy D came in and just beat our butts on the line with smart defensive play. Our OL got outcoached...how long do we put up with this? How can we talk about winning championships if our OL guys don't even know who to block? How can we accept the excuses of youth, inexperience and recruiting when there are other teams that find ways to work around these obstacles?

I can't live in denial on this...this is a big speed bump in our path to greatness IMO.

I'm greatly appreciative of the HBC for making some quality upgrades in 2 key staffing positions but I'm having a hard time bringing closure to this forgettable '07 season if we don't complete the loop here.

:bow:

[FinchMcCrunkNasty]

I can't wait. I love the shake ups, it gives a fresh taste around here. CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE GARNET & BLACK GAME - BRING BACK HOOTIE!!!!

[Click]

I see your point, but let me ask you one question.... Do you really believe that none of the 93 schools who ranked ahead of us in sacks allowed had a younger O-line than we did? Or that all of them had more talent than he have?

I gave him the benefit of the doubt through the first two seasons and attributed it to the youth on the offensie line, but you can only float that excuse for so long and three years is a pretty long time.

The answer is simple: Since SOS has been at USC he's pretty much had to start over building an SEC caliber OL each year, b/c just as I said,
1. Lou didn't leave us much, 2. SOS didn't sign many if any OL's in his first recruiting class, and 3. the OL's from his second class were still just RS freshmen or true sophomores this season. If SOS reads CockyTalk and takes half of the posters on this forum serious he'd be firing assistants just about every other season....... What kind of program will that build??? Not a good one, that's for sure.

[LegalCock]

Hunt should go...but he's not going to

[Click]

I trust SOS to know what he's doing.

[TStone]

If SOS reads CockyTalk and takes half of the posters on this forum serious he'd be firing assistants just about every other season....... What kind of program will that build??? Not a good one, that's for sure.

As far as generalizations go you are correct. There is a witch hunt for coordinators or assistants after every loss on every forum, not just CT. However the only person on his staff I was genuenely expecting to get let go after this past season was Hunt. I even wanted to keep Nix.

[TStone]

I trust SOS to know what he's doing.

I do too. It doesn't mean I can't be suprized and at least a little curious about what his reasons are for hanging on to Hunt.

[Click]

I do too. It doesn't mean I can't be suprized and at least a little curious about what his reasons are for hanging on to Hunt.

I hear ya TStone and get what you're saying. Guess I just like to debate alittle too much sometimes. I was heavily involved in the game at one time and still have a real passion for it. You're the first one I've heard say though that we should have kept Nix but not Hunt. Most of the head hunters on CT I think wanted both their heads rolling off the coaching staff, along with Chatham's.

Good post man, and hope you have a Merry Christmas!

[GamecockInPA]

I do too. It doesn't mean I can't be suprized and at least a little curious about what his reasons are for hanging on to Hunt.
Didn't Hunt coach OL for SOS at Florida? I seem to remember reading that a couple of years ago. Maybe that explains why SOS thinks Hunt is an SEC level OL coach...

[TStone]

Didn't Hunt coach OL for SOS at Florida? I seem to remember reading that a couple of years ago. Maybe that explains why SOS thinks Hunt is an SEC level OL coach...

You're right, he did. I haven't much paid attention to it before now. Here's his bio page... it looks like it was updated at the end of the 2006 season. This migh explain why Spurrier is keeping him around. Hopefully the HBC is right.

http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hunt_john00.html



John Hunt, who has experience in Coach Steve Spurrier's offensive system and who played a prominent role in the success the Florida offense had from 1999-2001, begins his third season as the Gamecocks' offensive line coach.

Hunt's offensive line showed tremendous growth throughout the 2006 campaign. The Gamecocks started nine different linemen during the season, including two true freshmen and two others who came to USC as walk-ons. Despite having no first-team all-conference performers, the offense chalked up 410 yards against national champion Florida, a 492-yard effort against Clemson, a team that entered that game with the nation's fifth-best defense statistically, and capped the year with a season-best 512 yards against Houston.

Hunt helped coach the offensive line at Florida from 1999-2001, specifically working with the tackles under Coach Spurrier. During that three-year span, Hunt tutored three first-team All-Southeastern Conference linemen - tackles Cooper Carlisle, Mike Pearson and Kenyatta Walker. Pearson was a first-team All-America pick in 2001 and was a second-round NFL draft pick in 2002. Walker was a first-round draft pick in 2001 and was chosen the Jacobs' Blocking Trophy winner in 2000, an honor that goes to the SEC's top offensive lineman as voted upon by the coaches. Carlisle was a fourth-round draft pick in 2000. Hunt coached in the 1999 and 2000 SEC Championship games, with the Gators defeating Auburn 28-6 to claim the 2000 SEC title.

Hunt followed Coach Spurrier to the Washington Redskins, where he worked with the offensive line for two years (2002-03). During that stretch, he worked with two of the NFL's top tackles in Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen. Hunt was a four-year letterman at offensive guard for the Gators. He was named second-team All-SEC in 1983 and he started the final 23 games of his career. He appeared in four bowl games and was drafted in 1984 by the Dallas Cowboys. Hunt played in two seasons in the NFL, with Dallas and Tampa Bay.

A native of Orlando, Fla., Hunt holds a bachelor's degree (1985) and master's degree (1991) from the University of Florida. He worked as a graduate assistant at his alma mater for two years (1989-90) and was a volunteer assistant for the Gators in 1991. Two of those seasons (1990-91) he worked under Coach Spurrier. The 1991 Gators went 10-2 and won the SEC Championship.

Hunt coached in the prep ranks in Florida from 1992-98, including stints at Buchholz High School and Dr. Phillips High School. He was the head coach at Buchholz in 1995 and 1996.
Hunt and his wife, Rene´, have two children, Christopher (9) and Cameron (3).

[Click]

I can live with fans accepting mediocrity, but not the HBC.
With the changes he made in 2 of 3 key areas that needed improvement now over, I will be very disappointed if HBC does not "upgrade" this final position.
All I can say is that if the OL coaching position remains intact, I have no confidence that this program will ever move ahead of 4th place in the SEC.

But this is HBC's team to coach and he gets paid the big $$, not me. I will say every fan I've talked to since the end of the season has expressed concern about this area, which tells me it's obvious to most fans that we have problems with OL coaching and development.


Therein lies the flaw in this post: fans aren't coaches and many fans have never even played the game, so they have no real clue what's all involved in coaching and playing the game. They only see it 2 ways: A loss means fire the coaches ; A win means jump on the bandwagon and celebrate.

[Flameout12]

Didn't Hunt coach OL for SOS at Florida? I seem to remember reading that a couple of years ago. Maybe that explains why SOS thinks Hunt is an SEC level OL coach...
Yep...I think he coached the OTs under another OL coach, but wasn't the OL coach at UF or Skins. USC was his first job as OL coach.

[Flameout12]

Therein lies the flaw in this post: fans aren't coaches and many fans have never even played the game, so they have no real clue what's all involved in coaching and playing the game. They only see it 2 ways: A loss means fire the coaches ; A win means jump on the bandwagon and celebrate.
"Therein lies the flaw in this post"?
Do you think I'm an idiot? Some of these "fans" I'm talking about are lifetime GCC members who not only know a lot about the game, but spend their hard earned $$ each year on dues, tickets and parking spaces. And they are tired of spending their $$ to watch a team that the OL play is some of the worst in the SEC each year SOS has been here.
FYI, there are quite a few former players and even coaches in the GCC that know quite a bit about football.
I don't think you get it.:thumbs:

[Ga_Gamecock]

http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hunt_john00.html

[Click]

"Therein lies the flaw in this post"?
Do you think I'm an idiot? Some of these "fans" I'm talking about are lifetime GCC members who not only know a lot about the game, but spend their hard earned $$ each year on dues, tickets and parking spaces. And they are tired of spending their $$ to watch a team that the OL play is some of the worst in the SEC each year SOS has been here.
FYI, there are quite a few former players and even coaches in the GCC that know quite a bit about football.
I don't think you get it.:thumbs:

I'm in one of the groups you mentioned here FYI, so I know alot more than you think, and I do get it. And NO, I'm not saying you're an idiot. Sorry if it came off that way. What I mean is that coaches shouldn't and don't make decisions based on fan reactions.