Football, Carolina, and Humble Pie.

As a life long Gamecock fan, I have learned humility and the true meaning of being humble from a very young age. In over 100 years of football at the State's flagship university, it is interesting to note:



*only one team has won a double digit amount of games. 1984 the team went 10-2. The first loss was to a 4 win Navy team in November when Carolina had risen to # 2 in the country. The second loss was in the Gator bowl to Oklahoma State coached by Jimmy Johnson, pre-Miami Hurricane and Dallas Cowboy days.



* for many years we have been known as the graveyard of coaches. Many a savior has entered the hallowed grounds of Williams Brice Stadium only to leave or be forced out after posting unsavory results. It started with Rex Enright (the Notre Dame connection and former Georgia assistant) in the 30's and 40's. Not a whole lot of success, but he hung around longer because he beat Clemson with some regularity.



*Paul Dietzel won a national title at LSU before coming to Carolina as the savior of the 60's. He did coach the team to their only conference title ever (1969 ACC), but resigned a few seasons later (1973) after an 0-5 start. He never coached again.



*Jim Carlen was successful in West Virginia and at Texas Tech had some very successful teams, and coached George Rogers (1980 Heisman Trophy winner). He was fired after the 1981 season. His record at USC was 45-36-1, but he left never to coach again. I am informed and believe, he fell in love with a young former cheer leader who he left his wife for. He eventually made the cheerleader his new wife and I am informed that they have had a happy life together. Nonetheless, while the record was by no means a bad one as coaches in Columbia go, I do not think the board, the president, or the alumni were too impressed with the latter fact. This, coupled with the fact that he could not beat Clemson (not that anyone else has since Enright) led to the ultimate demise.



*1983 brought Joe Morrison to town. His teams were very exciting and very competitive, some were very highly rated. Alas, He died after the 1987 season leaving behind a big steroid scandal, probation, and disenchantment.

*the 90's brought Sparky Woods and Brad Scott. . .enough said, haha. Anybody remember the last time Carolina played the Citadel? How about the 20 game losing streak at the turn of the century? Sparky has been toiling as an assistant and just landed a head coaching job at VMI. Brad is coaching at. . .Clemson, as an offensive assistant coach.

You know, after all is said and done, the overall record in the entire history of the program is almost .500. Look up college football mediocrity. We might be tops at something after all. I am a realist, I love my team not one less bit because they happen to lack success. Somebody has to be the homecoming opponent. I guess that is a little cold, but. . . Enough for now. I'll cover more later when I am not feeling so cynical.

Thanks for stoppin by. Ya'll come back now, ya hear.