Steve Spurrier knows his audience. In speaking to thousands of USC students Monday afternoon, Spurrier launched into a series of back-handed compliments and outright insults at Clemson's head coach, Dabo Swinney.
It started innocently enough: Swinney had spoken out about how highly he thought of Marcus Lattimore. Since the ceremony was in honor of Lattimore's birthday and recovery, Spurrier discussed the public figures who had wished him well.
Although he never named Swinney, he alluded to Clemson in a way that the students clearly understood (as judged from the cheers.)
"That school that used to beat us a lot and doesn't beat us much anymore," Spurrier said. "Usually when that coach talks about South Carolina, it's a bunch of garbage."
TigerIllustrated.com reported that Swinney issued a statement after being informed of Spurrier's comments through the university's sports information department.
"Even on what should be a really special day, I would think, taking off-color comments ... I really don't have a comment other than I'm embarrassed for him," Swinney said.