Good Morning Gators: Nick Saban pays tribute to 'icon' Steve Spurrier
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Alabama coach Nick Saban paid tribute this week to Hall of Famer Steve Spurrier.
Spurrier and Eddie Robinson were named the first two recipients of the inaugural Nick Saban Legacy Award. Presented by the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club, the award honors the long-lasting impact coaches had on the game.
“It’s an honor,” Spurrier said, “This (recognizes) a coach who’s made the most contributions to college football.”
Saban celebrated Spurrier’s unique personality and said the HBC doesn’t get enough credit for how he has influenced the sport.
“We need personalities in this profession. We need characters. We need people who inspire people to be interested in our game and there’s no bigger personality, no bigger character that ever did that in my mind than Steve Spurrier and he does not get the credit for the impact that he had on the game,” Saban said about Spurrier’s legacy. “He revolutionized the game that you see right now.”
Spurrier had a 3-1 record against Saban during his career. He beat Saban’s LSU teams twice at Florida and before splitting the two games between Alabama and South Carolina.
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Saban shared his memories of coaching against Spurrier.
“Steve was always sort of an icon in terms of great scheme offensively, really great play-caller, really hard to defend because he was really kind of unpredictable. Not unpredictable in a bad way but always very well-prepared. His offensive teams were very well-coached, really hard to defend what he did,” Saban said.
“To be honest with you, we never had a whole lot of success against him if you really wanna look at the record. He was someone that I thought was someone that I always looked up to in terms of the success that he had, the program that he ran, the things that he did, the relationships that he made with players. So, I have the utmost respect for him and still do.”
In other Florida football news
- UF coach Billy Napier stresses the importance of this year’s spring evaluation period and in-state recruiting.
- The latest program to be making a splash in the NIL market is Florida with its new Gator Guard collective.
UF recruiting roundup
- Wednesday was a massive day on the recruiting trail for Florida co-defensive coordinator Sean Spencer.
- UF tight ends coach William Peagler inquired about a four-star EDGE and a TE commit to an ACC school.
- A pair of Texas-based tight ends are on the Gators’ itinerary for Thursday, including one pledged elsewhere.
- UF assistant Mike Peterson visited the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Consensus.
- A pair of priority defensive lineman in the Peach State will receive a visit from the Gators this week.
Gators sports roundup
- Former Florida starting point guard Tyree Appleby announced Wednesday that he will transfer to Wake Forest.
- Former UF pitcher Alex Faedo made his big-league debut Wednesday, becoming the 79th Gator to play in the MLB.
- Florida starting pitcher Hunter Barco announced Tuesday he will miss the rest of the season to undergo Tommy John surgery.
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