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Steve Spurrier challenged Stephen Garcia to work harder or risk losing his job as South Carolina's starting quarterback.
Spurrier said after spring practice Garcia wasn't dedicated enough. If things didn't improve, Garcia would find himself on the bench behind 18-year-old freshman Connor Shaw, Spurrier told anyone who'd listen. Apparently, Garcia was among them.
''He was upset from the spring and I don't really blame him because he was right,'' Garcia said Sunday. ''I wasn't as committed as I should've been. I think I definitely changed this summer.''
The result is a trimmer, more focused passer with a quicker release and a better grasp on South Carolina's offense.
Garcia and Spurrier met in May, the coach's intent to lay out what the junior needed to do before the fall. Instead of complaining, Garcia took it all in and pledged to come out the leader Spurrier envisioned when he signed with the Gamecocks in 2007.
''I said, 'Coach, I'm on board,''' Garcia said.
Spurrier has liked what he's seen from his quarterback a week into preseason practice. He wants to see it continue throughout the season. ''I'm not saying one mistake and he's out of the game,'' said Spurrier, notorious for doing just that with quarterbacks.
''He's trying. Stephen's trying as hard as he can,'' Spurrier continued. ''Nobody's mad at Stephen.''
That hasn't always been the case.
Garcia was one of the Southeast's top quarterback prospects and was lauded as the next of Spurrier's great passers after signing with the Gamecocks in 2007.
But Garcia was arrested twice his first six weeks on campus, then ticketed for underage drinking a year later. He missed all of spring practice in 2007, then was suspended by the university for nearly five months with a list of conditions for possible reinstatements.
Garcia remembers a different meeting in 2008 with Spurrier and then quarterbacks coach David Reaves. ''They suggested maybe I transfer,'' Garcia said. ''But then I said, 'Coach, I committed here. I want to play for you. I'm going to do what I have to do and come back here and play.'''
Garcia thought he earned respect from the coaching staff and players when he was reinstated two summers ago. He began to win respect for his ability last season.
Garcia threw three touchdowns against Kentucky, then leaped over Wildcats defender Cartier Rice for a crucial fourth-quarter first-down that preserved South Carolina's 28-26 victory.
Garcia looked like he made a play for the ages when he ran for a first down on fourth-and-2 as South Carolina drove for the go-ahead score against Florida last November. Moments later, though, Garcia's pass was deflected and intercepted by Gators defensive end Justin Trattou, who returned for a touchdown, and No. 1 Florida won 24-14.
Garcia finished third in SEC passing yards last season, trailing Ryan Mallett of Arkansas and Tim Tebow of Florida. Still, Spurrier was concerned that Garcia held on to the ball too long, leading to South Carolina's worst-in-the-conference sack total.
Gamecocks quarterback coach G.A. Mangus has seen a deeper level of commitment from Garcia. The junior lost about 10 pounds through conditioning and diet, and has shown a better understanding of Spurrier's complex offense. ''We wouldn't ask if we didn't think (Garcia) could be better than what he is,'' Mangus said.
Garcia is glad he held strong despite his struggles and Spurrier's pointed words.
''I'm just going to play the game the way I need to play it to get this team where we want to be,'' Garcia said.
