Theismann politely sticks to his guns

STATELINE, Nev. — Joe Theismann’s golf game was clicking Sunday at the American Century Championship celebrity tournament.
At the ninth hole at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, ESPN’s NFL analyst turned a potential bogey into a birdie when he holed out from a green-side bunker.
Theismann’s diplomacy “game” also was working afterward, when he suggested his recent “war of words” with USC football coach Steve Spurrier reached a truce.
“I think the world of Steve,” Theismann said. “I think he’s a terrific college football coach. And I think he has a great opportunity at South Carolina to recapture that magic, because that job will be a great challenge.” - NFL Football -
Of course, it wasn’t Spurrier’s abilities as a college coach that triggered their spat in the first place. - NFL Football -
Earlier this year, Theismann said Spurrier’s lack of success with the Washington Redskins (12-20 in two seasons) stemmed from the coach’s offense, specifically his passing schemes. Spurrier, in turn, said someone who had never coached (Theismann) was hardly in a position to critique his offense. - NFL Football -
Theismann, while holding out a verbal olive branch (“Steve and I said ‘Hi’ on the driving range,” he said), did not back down from his opinion.
“I don’t think the way Steve went about (coaching) in Washington had a chance to be successful,” Theismann said. “I don’t think his offense translates to the NFL.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s a sensational coach. You could say the same thing about Lou Holtz, who was a disaster with the (New York) Jets and left before the season ended (in 1976).” - NFL Football -
Stay tuned for the next round.
Big game. Spurrier didn’t challenge for the tournament title — he finished with 19 points in the modified Stableford scoring system — but he won something almost as big to him: a three-day bet with Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.
“I beat him by one,” Spurrier said with a grin. “He bogeyed the last hole. He was plus-1, I was plus-2.” - NFL Football -
The two bet $20 each day, with Spurrier winning 13-4 on Thursday and Shanahan taking Friday’s match, 14-4. Both finished the week with 19 points.
They played Sunday in the same threesome with another high roller: multimillionaire developer Donald Trump, whose 26 points “trumped” both coaches.
Tall Tiger. Dalzell native and Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen drew plenty of attention for his hair, which he recently dyedblond. During the NBA season he was cleanly shaven.
The new look, similar to one briefly worn by Tiger Woods, was the result of “too much time on my hands,” Allen said. - NFL Football -
Spurrier, who played with Allen on Saturday, praised his swing and overall game. Allen returned the compliment.
“(Spurrier) keeps his ball in the fairway and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Allen said. “He stayed where he needed to be to score, and he beat up on us.”
Chip shots. Holtz played better Sunday; he was paired with a friend, former Notre Dame basketball coach and ESPN analyst Digger Phelps. “Yeah, but I missed a 4-foot putt for birdie” at the 18th hole, Holtz said briefly. ... Actor Bruce McGill, with his goatee, flapping shirttail and floppy hat, hardly looked the way he did in his role of 1920s superstar and snappy dresser Walter Hagen in the movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” which was shot in part at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course.

BOB GILLESPIE
Senior Writer