Comments on: Bama’s Bryant Still The Best, But Carolina’s Spurrier Pulling Away From Other SEC Great Coaches

By: AllTideUp

AllTideUp — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:38:15 +0000

@bradleygator It’s hard to compare programs from different decades, but I don’t think the competition was any stiffer back in the 90s. Saban shifted the balance of power once he got to LSU and took down Oklahoma for the title in 2003. And don’t forget he had to go through Meyer’s Florida(who had won 2 of the previous 3 national titles) and Texas(national champs only 4 years earlier) on his way to winning the title for Bama in 09. Saban hasn’t had to face an in-state rival with the year to year quality of FSU in the 90s and you got to give Spurrier credit on that one, but he was only 5-8-1 against FSU in those years.

By: Ced Lover

Ced Lover — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:27:57 +0000

@John at MrSEC In our defense (or mine), we are still in the afterglow. But this is the first I’ve been on the site since this weekend. But kudos and I wholeheartedly agree. I will forever be thankful to our AD, two ADs ago (Mike McGee) and Lou Holtz for somehow getting Spurrier to accept the position. Oh, and thank you for Jeremy Foley for trying to make Spurrier go through an interview process to get the job back at UF.

By: AllTideUp

AllTideUp — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:27:20 +0000

@John at MrSEC I never said you were ignoring those facts. I just added my 2 cents…that I thought Saban was worthy of a spot on the SEC’s version of Mt Rushmore. Or at least that he will be worthy once he hangs it up.

Comparing Spurrier to Saban though, i don’t think Saban will ever have as many SEC wins as Spurrier. Saban is almost 60 himself and I don’t see him pulling a Bobby Bowden and sticking around as long as possible.

By: phil_woodall

phil_woodall — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:22:06 +0000

@MrSEC haha classic

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:17:21 +0000

@phil_woodall Personally, I like having intelligent folks who aren’t always claiming “you hate my team” visit us. So feel free not to.

By: 10Vol85

10Vol85 — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:08:56 +0000

The general started with a pretty good team and lost only 2 ( Vandy and Alabama) in his first seven years. How many undefeated teams has Spurrier had?

By: Mach1973

Mach1973 — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:56:46 +0000

@jimdunaway how much did the vegas guy tip the ethiopian guy? Radio cut out and I couldn’t hear it! #cliffhanger #roundtable #jox

By: phil_woodall

phil_woodall — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:16:16 +0000

@MrSEC a Mt Rushmore of the SEC that doesn’t even mention Saban is a bit silly. And you telling me to visit your site more makes my point.

By: phil_woodall

phil_woodall — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:13:22 +0000

@MrSEC Your title says that Spurrier is pulling away from other SEC coaches. Saban has won 2 of the last 3 and currently sets at #1.

By: jamiemedley

jamiemedley — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:55:17 +0000

@MrSEC That is not the point. My point is what has he done to get his teams to the big game. He did it at FL with only 1 NC to show for it.

By: 10Vol85

10Vol85 — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:54:13 +0000

By the way, no offense but Dooley is not near top 4. Total wins isn’t the only metric for greatness.

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:45:32 +0000

@phil_woodall Bryant/Spurrier was the topic of this post. Read the site on a regular basis before floating your “agenda” nonsense.

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:42:21 +0000

@phil_woodall I’ve written a million times that Saban is the best coach in the country. But he’s not close to SS or PB in terms of SEC wins.

By: 10Vol85

10Vol85 — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:32:05 +0000

Neyland not only has the best winning percentage, but had a winning record against each of Bryant, Thomas, Wade, Mcgugin, and Vaught who make up the best of the rest in career winning percentage save Meyer. I think you disrespect Neyland a bit. I’ll grant that you can at least make the argument for Bryant on longetivity of success – not the others. Also, Bryant’s rate of success (winning pct. & champs) at Alabama is similar to that of Wallace and Thomas (81 pct. & 5 champs in 23 years), Stallings (if you don’t count the sanctions) and Saban). Who matches Neyland’s success at TN?

By: CWD7

CWD7 — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:41:28 +0000

@jimdunaway @mrsec. Bryant never beat Neyland.

By: sjanchus

sjanchus — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:22:22 +0000

@jimdunaway @mrsec yes, Saban. No brainier on same page with those two.

By: phil_woodall

phil_woodall — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:21:11 +0000

@jimdunaway @MrSEC Not mentioning Saban = agenda = wanting traffic to his site. That or he simply has no clue.

By: mdshehorn

mdshehorn — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:14:20 +0000

@MrSEC never said he wasn’t a great coach. Win a championship at USC and u can put him in the top 5. They always have a letdown game tho

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:12:26 +0000

@mdshehorn I think the folks in Columbia would tell ya he’s won a whole lot more the last 3 years than any coach in that school’s history.

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:10:37 +0000

@jamiemedley Spurrier is #2 all-time in SEC wins and in SEC titles. That clearly makes him #2 on the list. I think you need to study more!

By: John at MrSEC

John at MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:07:45 +0000

@AllTideUp

I’ve written on many occasions that Saban is the best coach in college football today. He built and won titles at two programs in the toughest league in America. He’s the first coach since World War II to win titles at two different schools.

We’re not ignoring those facts as we’ve written about them many times. But this piece was about the job Spurrier has done at South Carolina and how he continues to inch closer to Bryant in terms of all-time SEC wins (though he’ll never pass him). Also, it shows how similar their careers were in many ways.

Spurrier has some age on Saban. When Saban gets to be 65+ I’m sure someone with some website will write something like this piece about him.

Thanks for reading,
John

By: John at MrSEC

John at MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:02:29 +0000

@BonzaiB

I agree with every word you’ve written.

I just find it amusing — and it’s true of every fanbase — that “positive” stories are ignored and any criticism is taken as a sign of bias and hatred against a player, coach, school, etc.

Part of the job, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with calling attention to it and letting folks see for themselves how things work.

Thanks, as always, for reading,
John

By: jamiemedley

jamiemedley — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:00:02 +0000

@jimdunaway @mrsec Come on. Bryant yes spurrier is good but how many NC does he have. Man you need to study a little more!

By: RileyHillTaylor

RileyHillTaylor — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:54:49 +0000

@jimdunaway @MrSEC why would you include saban at LSU and not include Miles, Urban, and Chizik (2010)

By: kickbackmiami

kickbackmiami — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:53:31 +0000

@MrSEC Don’t tell that to Nick Saban

By: bradleygator

bradleygator — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:52:39 +0000

The only thing Saban needs is longevity. He’s like a guy hitting .400 but without enough ABs to qualify for the batting title. I’d say he needs another five years at ‘Bama before he’s considered a true southerner like the guys mentioned above. No carbetbaggers on SEC Mt. Rushmore. That’s why Meyer can’t sniff it despite two national titles. Spurrier chose SC, in part, so he could play rounds at Augusta. That is SEC style.

Also, while winning NCs at two SEC schools in the modern era is an incredible achievement, I have to say Saban has not bumped up against teams as good as Miami and FSU were when Spurrier was doing his thing at UF (not to mention Nebraska with Tommie Frazier, Lawrence Phillips, et al.).

By: mdshehorn

mdshehorn — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:17:31 +0000

@MrSEC nope, spurrier is top 10-20 but ur talking upper echelon, elite status. He hasn’t won at USC yet. Maybe after this year.

By: BonzaiB

BonzaiB — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:16:20 +0000

@John at MrSEC Its sports. Not much rationale that is consistent, statistics dominate the discussion, and as the old saw goes “stats lie and those who use stats…..” I think Spurrier is fun to watch just because he is an anomalie. He is self centered, he can be childish, has a bit of a prankster in him, but he can be viscious. Great coach, brilliant play caller, and all of that. But he does not come across as stately. Bryant, Neyland and others come across as level headed and, well, normal. Spurrier is different. And different in sports evokes emotion.

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:15:19 +0000

@mdshehorn So if it’s all about titles then Chizik is equal to Spurrier? Then why no mention of Meyer? You wouldn’t be a Bama fan would ya?

By: John at MrSEC

John at MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:11:28 +0000

Interesting…

Whenever I write that Spurrier has acted childishly, I get bombed by Carolina fans who claim I hate him and never say a good word about him. But when I write something positive like this piece… stating that what he’s done in turning South Carolina from a perennial doormat into a title contender separates him further from all the coaches behind him — he’s already #2 in SEC wins all-time to Bryant — not a ONE of those Gamecock fans come here to leave a positive comment. Not one.

Instead, I’m somehow viewed by others as a guy who’s building up Spurrier, too much — again, he’s already #2 in SEC wins all-time to Bryant — and who’s somehow knocking Saban.

Maddening. No matter what’s written, all positives are ignored and some folks work overtime to find anything they can view as a slight.

For the record, my SEC Mt. Rushmore would feature Bryant, followed by Spurrier, Neyland and Dooley. And when Saban finishes up his career, he’ll inch past Dooley. But as I stated in the piece, the #3 and #4 slots would get big debates with many fans picking their favorite school’s best coach — Neyland, Dooley, Jordan, Vaught, etc, etc.

Thanks for reading,
John

By: BonzaiB

BonzaiB — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:11:03 +0000

@Tusk As a Gator, it does not pain me a bit to recognize greatness in other institutions. Neyland was brilliant.

By: mdshehorn

mdshehorn — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:05:36 +0000

@MrSEC he does if ppl are going to mention him alongside saban, Bryant, etc

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:03:17 +0000

@mdshehorn Spurrier’s already #2 in all-time SEC wins. He’s made USC a winner. He doesn’t have to win BCS at USC to pull away from others.

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:02:06 +0000

@TheRoyalePain I don’t think he’ll coach 10 more years, but winning national crowns at 2 SEC schools will put him up on an SEC Mt. Rushmore.

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:01:14 +0000

@BamabelleinGA Read the piece. Spurrier’s #2 in SEC wins and we say he can’t match Bryant. But he’s separating himself from the others.

By: MrSEC

MrSEC — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:59:23 +0000

@whillxx No knock on Saban. Biased toward the fact that Spurrier is 2nd all-time in SEC wins to Bryant and he’s turned USC into a winner.

By: Wednesday Morning Audibles: Pachall done, ChuckStrong shirts, Texas Southern ban | College Football Section

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:01:06 +0000

[...] Bryant Still The Best, But Spurrier Pulling Away From The Rest – Mr SEC [...]

By: AllTideUp

AllTideUp — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:11:55 +0000

Bryant and Spurrier have accomplished a great deal. I agree with the ‘Twitterers’ though that Saban will have to be in this mix. He hasn’t coached as many years in the SEC as the first 2, but his record speaks for itself. The only coach in college football to win 3 titles in the BCS era…an era in which it has been tougher to bring home a title than when Spurrier did it in ’96. The only coach in the modern era to win titles at 2 different schools. He turned around LSU from an Ole Miss-like program into a perennial powerhouse. I don’t know how much longer Saban will be in the game, but his numbers could certainly be tops of his era when he retires.

I see Bryant and Spurrier both as transformational figures in the SEC. Spurrier arguably ushered in the modern era of SEC dominance and his contributions lifted the entire league. Bryant did much the same in the way of putting the SEC on the national stage. I’m not sure Saban will really be that type of figure when it’s all said and done, but it’s genuinely possible that he might be building a dynasty in 2012. No one even thought that was possible in today’s uber competitive climate especially with the scholarship limitations.

I think you have to put Neyland on that Mt. Rushmore as well.

By: whillxx

whillxx — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 02:00:37 +0000

@MrSEC . Slightly biased toward Spurrier’s good season. No mention of Saban with 3 NC and 3 SECs and counting. Bryant, then Saban.

By: BamabelleinGA

BamabelleinGA — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 01:20:05 +0000

@MrSEC great respect for the ole ball coach….but win a championship at SC before putting him so close to CPB. #justsaying #SEC #

By: Tusk

Tusk — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 22:17:28 +0000

@BonzaiB
The General had 6 undefeated seasons, 9 undefeated regular seasons, 4 national championships and 7 conference championships. Maybe the best defensive coach ever, 112 of his 173 wins were shutouts.

By: BonzaiB

BonzaiB — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:56:30 +0000

@Tusk Not sacrilege. The Bear will always be THE BEAR, great coach, great Southern Gentleman and legend, but Neyland was (and remains) the finest example of a citizen / warrior / coach and gentleman we as a nation are ever likely to produce.

By: Tusk

Tusk — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:48:34 +0000

Probably sacrilege for a Tide fan to post this but I have to vote Neyland ahead of Spurrier.

By: BonzaiB

BonzaiB — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:37:49 +0000

I’d put Spurrier up on the most Southern facing peak of the mountain range on the Western boundaries of Ocala, Florida……

By: TheRoyalePain

TheRoyalePain — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:41:50 +0000

@MrSEC If Saban coaches 10 more years, where will he end up do you think?

By: mikee4bama

mikee4bama — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:40:48 +0000

Bryant had 14 SEC titles and 6 national titles during his years as head coach. His title at Ky is still their one and only. Spurrier dominated during his years at Fla but nothing compared to what Bryant accomplished. From 1971 thru 1981 Bryant lost a total of FOUR sec games! No way Spurrier or anyone else will ever match that!

By: mdshehorn

mdshehorn — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:29:43 +0000

@MrSEC not until he actually wins something. If SC doesn’t win the SEC then Spurrier can’t be included with that top echelon. IMO