TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Western Carolina head football coach Mark Speir had something he needed to get off his chest during the post game press conference after his Catamounts fell 48-14 to top-ranked Alabama on Saturday.
Earlier in the day during ESPN’S College GameDay, analyst Kirk Herbstreit, a former college quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, criticized several SEC schools for playing FCS teams this week, even going as far as to call it “embarrassing.”
Speir, whose squad had been paid $480,000 to play Alabama, took exception to the comment. He said games like these help FCS schools fund their entire athletic department and give opportunities to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to go to college. Speir also noted that Troy Mitchell, the Catamounts quarterback, had a particularly memorable experience. Mitchell threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns and, in the process, eclipsed the school record for total yardage in a season.
“Guys get an education and we battled our butts off, playing games like this,” Speir said. “It sends people who wouldn’t have an opportunity to go to college and have great memories. Then a guy like Troy sets a record. You tell me that ain’t special.”
Speir then took direct aim at Herbstreit.
“A guy who had a silver spoon in his mouth all his life, Ohio State, prima donna state quarterback is talking about, ‘It’s an embarrassment.’ He ain’t ever coached,” Speir quipped. “I’m just proud of FCS football, I’m proud of our football team, I hope America doesn’t listen to a guy who sits behind a mic that hasn’t ever done it. With that silver spoon in his mouth, he probably never had a bloody nose or a callous like some of these guys.”
But in spite of the frustration Speir was clearly feeling toward Herbstreit, he had nothing by high praise for Alabama’s program, Saban, and even Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley.
“(Alabama has a) governor who, until the employment rate went down, he ain’t taking a paycheck,” Speir said. “I wish some of those guys behind a (mic) would work for a living, too, instead of putting their opinions out there… But I love your governor here. I love this program here and I’ll give you a Roll Tide.”
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
