Spurrier says he and son will work on playcalling

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) _ One thing’s certain at South Carolina this season — a Spurrier will call the plays.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier told media at the preseason Southeastern Conference football gathering Friday his son, Steve Jr., would put together the team’s weekly gameplan this fall — although dad vowed to have plenty of input.

“So it will be a team effort,“ the elder Spurrier said.

Spurrier said his son has grown in his coaching skills since he became a graduate assistant at Florida in the mid-1990s. The Spurriers were together on the sidelines in 1996 when the Gators won a national championship.

Steve Jr. joined his father at South Carolina after the 2004 season as receivers coach.

Just last week, Spurrier told reporters in Columbia, S.C. that he would “oversee all the playcalling. I’m still the offensive coordinator. In fact, I plan to spend more time with the quarterbacks and the offense this year than maybe I have in three years.“

To do that, though, someone else might have to script up an attack.

Spurrier explained that his son’s experience and the changing nature made it essential to delegate some aspects of the job.

Gone are the days when Spurrier could signal in everything he needed watching from the sidelines. “Nowadays, guys are going in motion, shifts and all that, which you have to do,“ Spurrier said. “To get it all on paper and so forth, it takes a lot of time during the week. The guy who’s the principal play caller, I mean, he’s got to be going through his mind all week long right up to game time, or else you can’t find them. You can’t find where the plays are.“

“So anyway, I just felt like he’s ready to do the principal play caller,“ Spurrier continued.

Spurrier will likely have his hands full with South Carolina’s inexperienced quarterbacks. Apparent first-teamer Tommy Beecher has spent three seasons with the Gamecocks, but has yet to start a game. Behind him are inconsistent sophomore Chris Smelley, and incoming freshmen Aramis Hillary and Reid McCollum.

Stephen Garcia, a talented passer serving a university suspension this summer, could return next month if he successfully completes requirements given him by the school.

“From what I understand, he’s done just about all they’ve asked, or everything,“ Spurrier said. “I’m not exactly sure. But the university, the Dean of Students, the provost or whoever, somebody will tell him when to come, if he’s fulfilled those requirements.“

Come game time, Spurrier will have his play sheets with him, ready to make suggestions, call plays or adjust the attack. “Yet one guy’s got to do it. He’ll get them in there to start with,“ Spurrier said. “If there’s a time for me next (to say), ‘I want this one the next play.‘ ... If it goes bad, I did it. If it goes pretty good, he did it. That will be the way it will go.“

The Gamecocks open practice on Aug. 1. They’ll start the season at home on Thursday, Aug. 28, with a night game against North Carolina State.