We asked FLORIDA TODAY readers to send us their thoughts on former Florida coach and first-year South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. Here is a sampling of what you had to say about Spurrier.

Steve is OK

I have known Steve for over 50 years. We grew up together in Johnson City, Tenn. We played Little League, Babe Ruth League and high school sports together. He has always been a winner. Steve believes there is nothing he can not do. He is very confident. He comes across very cocky to people. Most people only know what they see of him on the football field. I know all sides of Steve and he is a very good person. He cares about people and helps a lot of people -- that never becomes public knowledge. I consider him a loyal lifetime friend.

Yes, he will be successful at South Carolina. He has told me it may take three years, but I have no doubt he will take the Gamecocks to new heights. I'll make a few trips to Columbia to support him and he'll have my tickets waiting. Dwight Leonard, Viera

Coach Spurrier will be a success at South Carolina. Having grown up in Satellite Beach in the 1960's and early 1970's, before moving to my current home of Summerville, S.C., I have always been a Spurrier fan. My sister graduated from UF. When I moved to South Carolina, I had to choose a team to cheer for and I became a Gamecock fan.

The Gamecocks have suffered for many years, especially in football. Do I think Coach Spurrier will lead them to a national championship? Being realistic, I would say no.

However, I wouldn't rule out an SEC championship in a couple of years. If the Gamecocks go 7-4 and beat Clemson this year, then I would say Coach Spurrier had a successful season. Jamie Birdsong
Summerville, S.C.
Without a doubt -- he will succeed. Just wait until Saturday, November 12th (Florida at South Carolina) to find out. Jay Northcutt
Lafayette, La.

All the best, but . . .

Being an alumni of THE University of Florida, let me just say this: Steve Spurrier owes Gator Nation nothing. We, on the other hand, owe him everything. Those that whine and complain that he landed in Columbia, S.C., and not Gainesville are short-sighted.

Gator Nation (myself included) is spoiled and his past successes in the Swamp made it impossible for him to return.

What Gator Nation should now embrace is this: Not only did the ex-HBC bring us 6 SEC Championships (really 7, if you include the 1990 SEC championship) and a 1996 national title, but just as important is he made UF a household name (nationally), he changed the face of how football will forever be played in the SEC, he raised the bar for how all current and future UF coaches and their athletic programs, in every sport offered, will be judged, and he made UF one of the richest and most profitable athletic programs in college sports today.

I love Steve Spurrier. But, come November 12th when my Gators travel to South Carolina, I hope we hang 50-plus on him. Business is business. Dale Mays, Mims

More support

Being a graduate of the University of Tennessee, you know where my allegiance lies, but since moving to Florida, I enjoy Florida football -- both UF and FSU. I'm not a particular fan of Steve Spurrier, but you've got to give the Devil his due. Spurrier is good at what he does. James H. Appleton
Melbourne

Being a transplanted Buckeye fan, I always enjoyed watching Spurrier teams. He belongs on the college sidelines. He cares about his players and that is his first priority. He will make headlines with his comments, but he can coach. Go Gamecocks. Jerry Flood, Micco

Steve Spurrier will succeed at the University of South Carolina just as he did at the University of Florida because of his ability to coach the game of football. Not only will he recruit the very best players in South Carolina, but he will draw many of the best players from many other states as well. This will be done on his name alone.

I predict that Steve will have USC on top of the SEC within the next three years. Al Sykes
Melbourne

Not all love

Of course Steve Spurrier will win at South Carolina. As long as they don't schedule Florida State or Miami -- the two reasons he quit at Florida. Rod Crews, Cocoa Beach

I'm not sure that South Carolina as a location will suit Coach's persona. The big question is whether or not he can turn yahoos into snots. In Gainesville they came with the territory. Tim Meadows
Cocoa Beach

After years of watching him coach and whine in the SEC at Florida I hope that the teams he faces at South Carolina treat him with the same disrespect and disdain that he treated unmatched teams like Citadel, Furman and the other Division II patsies he scheduled. His legacy at Florida will always be a losing record against pro set teams such as FSU, UM and Nebraska.

His greatest accomplishment will always be polarizing the hate he created for himself and his team. Steve I wish you the very worst and I hope you get what you deserve like a lesson in humility when UT beats you 70-0. Anonymous