Steve Spurrier explains how head coaches handle offensive play-calling duties

Legendary Florida coach Steve Spurrier spoke about the similar play-calling responsibility that Billy Napier will have this season that Spurrier had in his own first year. Napier has taken over as head coach of the Gators after three years as the head coach of Louisiana. Part of his skillset that earned him the Florida job was his play-calling ability, having come up through the ranks as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

Steve Spurrier on Napier calling plays

Spurrier made an appearance on the Gators Online Podcast, and was asked about Napier’s upcoming season as fans question how he’s going to handle play-calling. Spurrier was reminded of a previous time he spoke about coaches calling plays, where he said that coaches who are hired because of their ability to call plays shouldn’t change when they get the job — it’s why they were hired.

“Why would you change, yeah,” said Spurrier. “I guess I was one of the first in the SEC. When I came in, in 1990, you had Pat Dye — he coached just like Bear Bryant. They all tried to coach just like Bear Bryant. Johnny Majors, the guys in Mississippi, Billy Brewer and so forth. I don’t know if another head coach called the plays back then. But that’s what got me a head job was our offense at Duke was best in the ACC. Actually we were number one all three years I coached up there and won the ACC.”

Spurrier went on to reminisce about his original coaching staff when he took over at Florida, emphasizing how much talent Napier has around him as he takes over in his own way. With the talent that Napier has around him, play-calling will be even easier as he has more eyes to rely on.

“So, that’s how I do it. I can assure you our assistant coaching staff wasn’t anything like Billy’s as far as reputation. I had two guys who hadn’t coached before — John Reeves and Dwayne Dixon. Two former Gators and they were fantastic, excellent recruiters. And I brought four of my Duke coaches down here with me. Kept Jay Anderson, who was a Gator, on the staff and hired a couple guys who were free and available. So we didn’t have to spend much money on our staff back in those days.”