Steve Spurrier

1966 Heisman Trophy Winner

Not only did Spurrier become Florida’s first Heisman Trophy winner, but he later coached the Gators to their first
football national championship

Along with winning the 1966 Heisman Trophy, Spurrier has created a legacy that extends far beyond
his playing career.

Steve Spurrier 1966 Heisman
Season in Review

Spurrier entered the season as a returning First-Team All-American from
the 1965 season that saw the Gators QB lead the team to a 7-4 record.
The following year, Spurrier’s excellent play helped Florida to achieve a
9-2 record and a #11 ranking in the Coaches poll.

Key moments during Spurrier’s Heisman season included his directing
the Gators to a comeback win over Florida State and a his efforts in a
last-minute win over Auburn.

His astonishing effort against Auburn
included his waving off the Gators field goal kicker so that he could
uprights and his Heisman legacy began to emerge.uprights and his
Heisman legacy began to emerge.

On the season, Spurrier completed 179 of 291 passes for 2,012 yards.
The Gators QB threw 16 TD’s vs. only 8 Int’s and added 66 rushing yards.
Spurrier also made 3 field goals.

Spurrier’s Pro Football Career

Although Spurrier was a two-time All-American entering the NFL, his
collegiate success did not parlay into similar results on the pro level.  The
San Francisco 49ers selected him in the first round (3rd overall pick) of
the 1967 NFL Draft.

Although his career spanned a decade he primarily served as a backup in
San Francisco before concluding his pro career with the expansion
Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976.

Spurrier played in 106 games,
completing 597 of 1,151 passes for 6,878 career passing yards and 40
TD’s.

A Championship Coach

Although he will forever be remembered for his collegiate coaching
prowess,  Spurrier’s first head coaching stint began in 1983 when he led
the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits for three seasons.  Following a 31-25
record, Spurrier accepted Duke University’s head coaching position in
1987.

Despite Duke being a mere shadow of its once prominent college football
status, Spurrier guided the Blue Devils to it’s first ACC championship in
27 years as Duke’s leader was named National Coach of the Year in both
of his seasons at Duke.

In time for the 1990 season Spurrier accepted the head coach position at
Florida.  Although the Gators had achieved previous success, the
program still sought its first official SEC championship.  Spurrier
implemented his “Fun n’ Gun” offense that profoundly impacted the SEC
and all of college football through the 2011 season.

 During his tenure as
the Gators head coach, Spurrier accomplished the following:

•6 SEC Championships

•1 National Championship (1966)

•5-time winner of the SEC Coach of the Year award

•Became the first Heisman Trophy winner to coach a Heisman
winner when Danny Wuerffel won the award in 1996.