Is State newspaper's ignorance on Spurrier, hurting recruiting?

Local media seems to work against fans, and what's best for USC football.

The State newspaper is running a headline telling us Steve Spurrier will be the coach in 2015.

There was never any chance Spurrier would
not be back, except in the mind of a
detached-from-reality media. 

Yet there was no headline announcing “Plane lands safely at Columbia Metropolitan Airport.”

But both headlines have about the same amount of news intrigue value.

The State's Josh Kendall – in the body of his story - writes: “Steve Spurrier will return for his 11th season as South Carolina’s coach in 2015, he told The State on Monday.”

Is this a NEWSFLASH? I don't think there ever was any credible speculation that Spurrier would not be back.

The State, based on nothing but its imagination, is the most active in pushing the idea that Spurrier is even considering not coming back.

As a part of the headline, The State also says Spurrier: “has faith USC can win again.”

It's laughable to write that. Spurrier, before 2014, lead the Gamecocks to three, 11-win seasons in a row. The fact that he did not win as many this year is NEWS. Not that he will win again.

And on the same Webpage with the non “scoop” that Spurrier will be coming back is a headline: “Gamecocks take a hit in latest Rivals250.”...Ya' think!

With an irresponsible media running around inventing a story line that Spurrier has any inclination to quit at South Carolina, it certainly could hurt recruiting. Is that what The State is trying to do?

The State sides with poor coaches

Also: The State, specifically Kendall, pats Spurrier on the back for not immediately releasing defensive coaches. The Gamecock defensive staff laid an egg during the 2014 season, losing games that should have been easily put away. What may have been a 9 or 10-win year turned into 6-6 with an embarrassing loss to ACC foe Clemson.

Spurrier is likely trying to keep from embarrassing the men who performed as his assistant coaches on defense this year. That's why he is waiting to bid them farewell. That is a noble, mature and professional move by the Head Ball Coach.

But here's the reason Kendall gave for Spurrier not releasing coaches.

“I don’t expect news Sunday for a very important reason,” Kendall wrote. “I don’t believe Spurrier has decided for certain whether he will be South Carolina’s head coach next season.”

Absurdity again. 

Kendall also bashes the USC fan base for expecting defensive coaches to be held responsible. He said: The fan base is calling for the head of third-year defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward, whose group is going to finish the season either last or next-to-last in the SEC in points and yards allowed.”

After Kendall wrote that, he lauds Spurrier for alluding to problems on the Gamecock offense.

Not sure if Kendall is more out-of-touch, or just in contempt of the Gamecock football program and its fans. Regardless, his coverage is atrocious.