 "Photo: Special to The Daily Gamecock")
If the way in which Steve Spurrier carried himself at last week's mid-summer press conference is any indication, any memories of a five-game losing skid and a potential retirement are out the window.
With rumors circling around internet message boards and college football Web sites that Spurrier may call it quits in Columbia if the Gamecocks don't live up to expectations this year, the head ball coach made it clear about his intentions with both his life, age and career.
"I feel just as good as when I was in my forties," Spurrier said. "Physically, I am the same as I was in 1990 right before I coached my first year at Florida."
Spurrier insists that football columnists are incorrect when they say he didn't realize the tough task that lay ahead of him when he first took the job at Carolina.
"We knew there was some building to do," Spurrier said. "Some people say, 'Well [if] Spurrier can't win in four years than he is never going to do it.' That's negative guys that like to quote guys and sometimes I don't understand why some of you people quote negative guys."
Spurrier also noted that, despite off-season rumblings, he will handle the gameday play calling duties instead of his son, Steve Spurrier, Jr.
"I know there has been a lot of talk this summer about play calling," Spurrier said. "I will be responsible for the play calling. Steve, Jr. has been coaching with me going into 11 years now, and together, we'll get the play calling done. The plan right now is for him to put it all together and we'll get it in there. I will oversee all play calling. I'm still the offensive coordinator."
While the play calling position seems to be set in stone, one position that still remains murky is that of quarterback. With the graduation of three-year starter Blake Mitchell, the garnet and black will look to a new face to lead its program to victory this season.
Spurrier says the potential starter will be redshirt junior Tommy Beecher, who has attempted just 25 career passes with two touchdowns.
"Again, [I] want to reiterate, Tommy Beecher is going to have a chance to be our quarterback," Spurrier said. "He has not had a chance, going into his fourth year now and we are going to give him every opportunity to be the quarterback. Barring injury, he should go the distance and whatever it takes, the first game, second game and down the line."
One player Beecher may have to fight off is sophomore Chris Smelley, who started six games for the Gamecocks last season while compiling a 4-2 record during that span.
However, Spurrier hopes a quarterback battle will be irrelevant and that one player will step up and keep the job for the entirety of the season.
"Chris Smelley has had a really good shot several times in there and it is time to see if Tommy Beecher can go and play. We need to quit all this, 'well if he doesn't go, next guy, next guy.' I'm not in favor of that," Spurrier said.
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