Spurrier's incredulity over defense part of his coaching genius

Spurrier looks to be dumbfounded by
the shoddy play of his D and special
teams. Does he know he is on the
brink of something special?
. 

South Carolina was ahead of Vanderbilt by 21 points with less than two minutes to play last Saturday.

The Gamecocks had a three touchdown lead, despite surrendering two cheap TDs on kick-off returns.

Then, the Gamecocks gave up another TD, mostly because of a hail-Mary type play when the “W” had been secured.

SC won 48-34. 

But as a result of the KO returns, and late score, Head Ball Coach Steve Spurrier was apoplectic after the game. He called the team "embarrassing" after a 14-point win. But he knows any win on the road in the SEC is a good win. And nothing is guaranteed in the country's best conference.

So why was Spurrier so angry at his team's play? He was coaching for the next game, and the next. He was sending a message to his assistants, especially those on defense and special teams that relaxing and waiting for the offense to bail you out, will not be tolerated.

The Gamecocks could have spotted the 'Dores four touchdowns and still won that game. But that is not the case with Aubrun or Florida.

South Carolina may be batter than the rest of its opponents, but a weak link, giving up cheap scores, will negate any advantage SC has versus top talent. There is not much margin for error if the Gamecocks are to win the SEC-East, or any other crown.

Spurrier knows his defensive coaches better work overtime to figure out what they are doing wrong. Otherwise, Spurrier has a desk drawer full of well-qualified applicants that will do the job on defense. And they'd love to work for a coach of Spurrier's stature.

The Gamecocks are on the brink, and Spurrier knows how close he is. And it's unlikely he is going to let a weak-link coaching staff on D get in the way of accomplishing something that he has spent years chasing and building at USC.

South Carolina can play poorly and win a lot of games. But if it is to get to where Spurrier has been told he cannot go, the breakdowns and half-steppers will have to be eliminated.

Spurrier's outrage is a message to his coaches to not rest. The team has a long way to go, before it is elite. But it has every ingredient to be the best. The defense will have to mature for that to happen.

Right now, the coaches on D are the impediment. And that is where Spurrier is directing his passion.

If you work for him, it's time to obsess over your job. Otherwise you may not have it for long.

There is too much at stake for Spurrier to play Mr. Nice Guy.