Clemson is taking a huge risk in going with an unproven commodity in Swinney. He has had some success in recruiting, but lacks HC experience. I have never really consider Clemson a "starter" job, but I guess the Tiger brass are willing to roll the dice.
The interesting aspect of the entire CU search is that the TDP did not interview anyone with significant head coaching experience. It's understandable that current coaches are off-limits for the next few days, but... are you seriously telling me that there's no one who's hired/fired/recruited/assigned/etc that the Tigers wouldn't want to talk to? Clemson can't wait a week in order to interview someone with skins on the wall? There's no one in the whole country that the Tigers would want to talk to who has been off-limits up until now?
I may be misreading the situation, but... when the AD only interviews less experienced candidates, I start to wonder if the AD wants more control over the football program. If that's the case -- and there are indications that it may be -- then the AD should be canned for putting ego ahead of the future of the program.
We've already seen TDP on the sidelines a la Jerry Jones, so... this hire may say more about TDP than Swinney.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
The reality is this, and this alone. At the end of the South Carolina game, the entire Clemson nation in attendance were chanting his name. Those are the people that pay his salary, and that's who they (we) want. If he doesn't work out, we'll move on in a year. He's done everything in his power to earn the right to have the opportunity to run the program. There's simply no one out there who is a guaranteed success, so we'd be taking a chance on them just as we are on Swinney. At least with Coach Swinney, we get a guy that we like, and most importantly that the players like and are very happy to give their all for. I guess you could say that I'm "all in", and I'll gladly give my money to the university in support of Coach Swinney, and I plan to be in attendance for the bowl game.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
Move on in a year? Seriously, Joe, is that the plan? Maybe dole out some nice parting gifts if Swinney can't cut it? The guy's a coach, not a band-aid. You don't change him out for a fresh one once it "doesn't work out".
If Clemson doesn't see him there for at least 3-4 years, don't even bother--and that goes for ANY team...
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
I said that because the initial news that I heard said that he'd get a 1 year contract. Now it looks like he's getting 4 years. I like the guy and am happy if he does get a 4 year contract.
By the way, exactly how long was Tony Franklin a coach at Auburn?
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
Franklin wasn't a Head coach...
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
Joe...Put down the pipe...
You're a BCS Conference Program that has Top 25 aspirations, great recruiting, a good fanbase, tradition, and all the trimmings...
...and you're here talking about taking a "one year" chance and if you don't like it, then you'll move on?
What are you smoking, man? Do you know how much damage can be done by hiring the wrong guy? Jeezus...LSU went into the 40 years of famine after we let Arnsparger go...We hired "The Player's Choice" who was also the fan's choice...Guy by the name of Mike Archer...Dude was a zero...We're talking worse of a stretch than Orgeron...
Then we hire Hudson "Curley" Hallman, and then a bargain basement retread in Gerry DiNardo...
It took us the better part of two decades to return to consistent success and a perennial Top 25 program...Which was our goal, ever since Cholly Mack retired in 1979...
You screw around with a coaching hire, or act with a cavalier attitude like that, you'll end up screwing your program up in the process...
Let's hope TDP is a tad bit more far-sighted than your opinion...
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
My "opinion" was based on the initial report that I heard stating that he'd get a 1 year, incentive laden contract. Now it looks like he's getting 4, which I think is great.
Weren't Willingham, Croom, Weis, Robinson, Prince, Chizik, Erickson, Kragthorpe, Rodriguez, and Hawkins all considered the "right" guy?
I like the guy, and will be happy to have him for more than 1 year. Honestly, I hope he retires many years from now as our head coach.
I only ask, who is the "right" guy, if not him?
FSU_Ben
· 1 year ago
Croom was a good coach for Miss. State. Too bad he left. I don't think he belongs on that list.
Shannon does. There is a players choice that just doesn't seem to be working out.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
21-38 overall, and 10-30 SEC makes a good coach? Apparently you're judging him on things other than wins. I'm sure Mississippi State can find someone who can win more than 10 SEC games in 5 years. Ellis Johnson might be that guy.
Shannon is in his second year, is 12-12 overall, and has his 'Canes at 7-5 and bowl eligible. I don't think you can say that he's not working out. Croom had 5 years, and had an entire roster of his own players. Shannon is only starting to get his guys in there, and they've seen improvement.
Kevin @ Fanblogs
· 1 year ago
The Administration's job is to make the correct hire - regardless of emotion or circumstance.
Hypothetically speaking, if Clemson could choose between Mack Brown, Bob Stoops, Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, and Dabo... do you still think they would chant Dabo? If you say yes, you're a sick man. If you say no, then they need to keep searching, IMHO.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Keep searching for WHO? I keep asking this and no one is answering. We have interviewed 4 officially, and more likely have interviewed around 7 candidates. It's not like TDP didn't talk to anyone else and just made this move.
"Correct", "right", "experienced". These are all terms that people keep throwing around. Experienced doesn't mean correct or right, and there's a multitude of examples to prove that. "Correct" and "right" are the guys that take the program to the next level and win games. Well, in 6 weeks, Swinney has done both of those things as much as could be done in that time, and in the meantime he has done everything he could do to prove that he deserves the job.
You handpicked 4 of the top coaches in football to put him up against. Realistically none of those guys are options. Mack Brown was hired at North Carolina before he was considered a great coach. UNC knew what they were doing when they hired him, but they didn't have the resources to retain him. I believe we have the resources to retain Swinney if he does become what we think he will.
Ultimately, you may not like it, but we do. In the end, no one knows whether or not he is the "correct" choice until he's had more time. Based on what I've seen, he is the right guy.
Kevin @ Fanblogs
· 1 year ago
What about Larry Coker? Jeff Bower? George O'Leary? Mike Price? Jeff Tedford? Brian Kelly? Dan Hawkins? Jim Grobe?
I would take any of those guys over a dude who's best DI-A experience is WR coach.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
I see no one on that list that is intriguing except possibly Brian Kelly, so we're going to have to disagree there.
Why don't we continue this conversation in 1 year? Then we can bring up all of the same names and see if the opinions have changed.
Kevin @ Fanblogs
· 1 year ago
You got a deal!
Bevo_Boy
· 1 year ago
This is off subject, but thanks again for the hint about that font. I already used it for a history essay.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Awesome. I will gladly pass along any more tricks that I can remember. Anything to make school a little less stressful so you can focus on the more important things in life (women, football, beer (when you're legal), women, football, etc.) is a great thing. I'm glad you could get some use out of it.
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
It's a little late, but thanks for providing your thoughts. Once again, you cover some things I hadn't thought of.
Zac
· 1 year ago
Kevin, Tom, I know you didn't ask for mine, but here it is:
Terry Bowden: 111-53-2 all time (wins/losses/ties); Bowls 2-1; Overall Success Ratio: 2:1.
Dabo Swinney: 4-2; Overall Success Ratio: 2:1.
Am I missing something here? Experience asside, the ratio sure looks the same. So, how is it the Clemson Boosers think they're getting something better than what they've given up? I don't get it.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
The Georgia Tech game would've been a miracle win if Swinney could've pulled that off since he only had a few days in his new role before kickoff.
There's a big difference in offensive production since Swinney took over the play calling.
In the FBS games under Bowden/Spence this year, the offense averaged 15.25 ppg. The defense averaged 18.75 ppg. In the FBS games under Swinney this year, the offense averaged 24.33 ppg. The defense averaged 17.83 ppg. That is a big difference in offensive production.
Willingham, Croom, Weis, Robinson, Prince, Chizik, Erickson, Kragthorpe, and even arguably Rodriguez, and Hawkins, have all proven that the "experienced" and "safe" choice is not always the right one. At least the players visably and verbally support this guy and step up and play for him.
One more thing, CJ Spiller will be a Tiger next year, just to show his dedication for Coach Swinney.
So, I ask, who would be the better choice for the job?
GeauxTigers0107
· 1 year ago
Joe that's a good point now that Kiffin is off the market. Congrats because I know that's who you guys wanted going in. I just hope it isn't one of those situations similiar to West Virginia's were they hired their interim too quick on early success only.
A new pencil always writes good though. Time will tell if he was the right choice. A good point to consider also is that he's loved so much by his players, fans and boosters. That alone will make his job somewhat easier. I sincerely hope he works out for yall.
Geaux Tigers Geaux SEC
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
Perhaps they're getting a little more control than what they had previously...
Kevin @ Fanblogs
· 1 year ago
So Dabo produced the exact same ratio that got Tommy fired? ;-)
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Funny. Except that you can't really put the GT loss on him since he had 5 days to get ready for that one. We'd like to play them again.
We still have a bowl game to play. If we win that, the ratio isn't so close anymore, is it?
Ramblin' Gator
· 1 year ago
We'd like to play them again.
Where have I heard that before? Oh yea, every fan of a team that lost a game by less than 10 points, including me!
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
GT won the game outright, and there's nothing taking away from that. You have to admit though, that you got us on the best possible week.
Ramblin' Gator
· 1 year ago
Sure, I'll admit that the timing of that game was beneficial for GT. I'll also claim that GT's offense in the last two games is vastly improved when compared to the team that showed up in Clemson back in October. Frankly, I'm looking at the schedule and thinking (believing?) that GT would be 11-1 now if they had started the season with the offense performing the way it ended the season. Makes me unusually excited for next season!
So, yes - I would like GT to replay their games with VT and UVa, but not interested in replaying any games that concluded with a W for GT. :-)
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Fair enough. I also feel very excited for next season. Spiller will be back, and a few of out recruits have solidified their prior commitments. Honestly though, Spiller is better than any recruiting class for 2009.
If we could play a lot of those games again, I feel like the outcome would be different. Now I'll just hope for a great performance in a bowl game. The ACC looks to be VERY tough next year.
Just out of curiosity, who do you think the 1 loss would be for GT?
Ramblin' Gator
· 1 year ago
GT was completely outclassed by UNC. That game may have been Tech's wakeup call (like Ole Miss was for UF this year and Vandy was for UGA last year). I'd like to think that GT would fair better against UNC in a do-over, but have to admit that the Tar Heel defense pretty much shut down the triple option that day.
Spiller is a phenom. I'm still POed that he didn't go to UF, but the Gator's running backs coach (at that time), Stan Drayton, also let Noel Devine slip off to WVU before he was (ahem) asked to seek other employment.
TRIPPA06
· 1 year ago
See my below post, ole' Zac's numbers were wrong...
TRIPPA06
· 1 year ago
Are you talking about Terry or Tommy?
Tommy is 90-49 all time with a 4-5 Bowl Record. He is 72-45 @ Clemson.
Tommy won 50% of his games this year and that includes 2 DI-AA Opponents (or whatever they are)
Dabo won 67% of his games and they were ALL from the ACC or SEC. The team did much better with Dabo.
FSU_Ben
· 1 year ago
He said Terry Bowden. I don't know either Terry's or Tommy's Numbers but whose are those?
TRIPPA06
· 1 year ago
Those must have been Terry's numbers because they were for sure not Tommy's
Zac
· 8 months ago
Well, Tripp, $hit on again. I swear I did the Wikipedia thing the last time I got the numbers, but I just checked it again and yours are the right ones. Maybe I did get the wrong Bowden (didn't bother checking Terry this time); but looking at the numbers, they're still not that significantly different.
Don't get me wrong. I would like to see this work out for Clemson. Sometimes you have to take a chance on the young and passionate. But, as CJ up above has already said, we'll get back to him within the year and see how it worked out.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
This is horrible news. Where is Tommy Tuberville going to land now that Clemson is filled?
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
Mississippi State, silly.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
Oooh...yea. Good point. (shudder)
Tubs isn't going anywhere this year.
Tom_Blogical
· 1 year ago
Me thinks the offseason news on the OC position will be very interesting for Auburn fans...
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Is he actually going to be gone?
KK
· 1 year ago
Dabo is AWESOME! Clemson is lucky to have him. For those of you that are skeptics I can assure you he WILL EXCEED your expectations, he is well on his way accomplishing that already.
Regan
· 1 year ago
Swinney works for me. The bottom line is that Tommy Bowden had few (but chronic) flaws. He recruited well, and cultivated talent well. The problems were play-calling, making adjustments, and having little connection to the Clemson fan base.
Swinney fills the areas where Bowden was weak in, and maintains the strengths that Bowden did have (Swinney was instrumental in recruiting, etc.)
This hire works for me. While it IS a risk, what cannot be denied is that Clemson HAS gotten much better in the last 10 years, and has a good base built up on many levels. The fact that the corner has yet to be turned doesn't mean that things need to be rebuilt altogether...
Shaking things up too much could lead to a Kragthorpe-sized plummet.
Since you asked... :)
Kevin @ Fanblogs
· 1 year ago
That's a good point. Maybe Clemson just needs a Head Maintainer. I just fear that the same poor, emotional decision process that led WVU's hire has infected Clemson.
Kill_The_BCS
· 1 year ago
Agree with Kevin that this is a big risk. You (Clemson fans) would hope it's not a knee jerk reaction to a win over South Carolina. There are better head coaches out there looking for upgrades. So, this guy is retaining the same staff. Sounds like business as usual. Retaining staff worked for a good situation like Boston College retaining defensive coordinator and Jagz brining in his own offensive coordinator. Here's a name for those asking - Randy Edsall.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
"You (Clemson fans) would hope it's not a knee jerk reaction to a win over South Carolina" Most of us wanted this before the South Carolina game.
I agree about Edsall. He'll be a fantastic hire - for Syracuse.
Kill_The_BCS
· 1 year ago
Syracuse, even if it's his alma mater, is not a job he should take. Edsall deserves an upgrade and that's outside the Big East.
________________________________
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
I don't really know enough about it. I just remember Syracuse being pretty significant nationally, and it seems like getting Edsall back up there could bring them back to where they want to be.
BTW, I love the handle. Kudos on that.
Kill_The_BCS
· 1 year ago
That was a long time ago for Syracuse when the Carrier Dome (or whatever they call that place now) was new. He has turned down Syracuse before and could have had it this time around. So, if he hasn't taken it up to this point, I think he is waiting for something better.
I just wonder if you guys would have been better off going after Edsall than promoting Swinney. We'll find out. Any ACC job at this point is going to be tough because of the parity of the teams. Not sure if any one move is going to get any school real separation. The conference desperately needs "franchise" quarterbacks more than it needs head coaches. BC gets them but never gets big time WRs to pair them up with.
Ramblin' Gator
· 1 year ago
I am Joe's complete lack of surprise.
Edward Norton, Fight Club
If Clemson is going to roll the dice on a new coach, Dabo looks like a good gamble (IMHO). He seems like a serious player development kind of coach and has a bit more intensity than Bowden. On the other hand, Clemson is well-positioned to get a name brand coach if they want to.
TampaGator
· 1 year ago
Good hire for CU.
First off, it was probably at least partially motivated by $$$, due to buy-out of TB;
Second, no need to deviate too far off course, since CU has solid structure in place. I posted that before; CU is well served to refrain from going too exotic, and IMO, better served the closer to home it stayed.
Frankly, this hire reminds me a lot of Miami hiring RShannon--they didn't have the money to go too exotic, due to buyout of Larry Coker; and, they stayed true to their structure, by hiring within. I expect that Clemson will be better served by this approach though, because CU, unlike UM, already has the talent there (Miami cupboard was a bit bear, when LC was tossed).
This isn't program that needs revamping; it just needs some fine tuning....
I like it; definitely better than the BOY-wonder (Lane Kiffin--he of plenty of pedigree, but zero accomplishment).
GO GATORS!!
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Nice post. You make some great points.
BTW, FWIW I have heard (from very reliable sources) that no more than 2 boosters have already paid the buyout out of pocket.
Regan
· 1 year ago
He is not Mike Leach...I am happy. :)
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
I heard that Swinney is going to hire Leach as the OC.
Just kidding man. LOL. I know how much you love Leach.
BTW, if you haven't seen this site, you need to check it out. You have to register, but it's free and has great content.
Regan
· 1 year ago
Mike Leach is a bad person. He bites off the heads of kittens and roasts puppies over an open fire. He also wants to ban Christmas and outlaw Ice Cream.
That's because ESPN is pure evil. And ESPN likes Mike Leach.
Do you know: Why referees screw up so bad EVERYONE hates them? Mike Leach. Why it always rains on July 4th when you buy lots of fireworks? Mike Leach. Why people feel inclined to drive slow in the fast lane? Mike Leach.
Do you know why bad things happen to good people every single day? Two words: Mike Leach.
NFL teams should schedule Texas Tech and put up 80 points a game, since he is so fond of doing that to FCS teams.
PS: Thanks for the site, I'll check it out...:)
Tyler_Tech
· 1 year ago
Well after all.........HE IS A PIRATE!!!!
Kyle91
· 1 year ago
How many wins does Lane Kifffin have as a HC in College? How many did Randy Shannon have before he was hired as HC at the U. I guess the four wins Dabo has as a IHC don't count. Give the guy a break he beat BC in Boston and has beat a Hall of fame Coach in the ol ball coach
AUtigerman
· 1 year ago
Just wondering when Brian Kelly is going to get a shot at Big Time Football.
Hard to believe that no one has stolen this guy from Cincinnati.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Our DC is gone now.
My guess is that he's off to Kansas State.
southerntraditionalist
· 1 year ago
Are no football fan/bloggers capable of learning anything from history? Think back to 1981 - Danny Ford wasn't a household name "Head Coach" and look where he took Clemson!
If you do something once and it works, it's nice - twice and it's tradition and a winning tradition is the best thing Clemson's got going for it! All these people thinking the Clemson AD didn't look far enough weren't in Death Valley this past Saturday to see the electricity flowing between the players, coaches and fans - they sound like the fox with the sour grapes to me!
clemson1981
· 1 year ago
All in all lets think about this whole "He has no Head Coaching experience" thing. How dumb does it sound?! I mean really? You no who else didn't have HC experience at one time, Bobby Bowden, Joe Pa, Bear Bryant, Danny Ford, Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson, Butch Davis, Nick Saban, well hell every single HC in football has had zero HC experience till his FIRST HC gig. Now I am not comparing Dabo to any of those guys, I am just saying you gotta start somewhere folks and this is were he starts. Either hes going to do great, or hes going to flop, he is one of the nations top recruiters, he is a master motivator in my mind, and most of all hes a likable guy who comes off with that down home personality, yet hard liner that Clemson fans love. So it's a great hire. And if all else fails hes gone, and they get a new coach. But now he has to find a DC because Koening got the can today.
ozzy1
· 8 months ago
Look here is the deal D.S. got the job i went to high school with him, you have to go back to the ground roots of coach Billy Toehill , D.S. as one of the top wide recivers in High school in the south. He has the knowledge, skill, leadership to carry Clemson to the top, its all about his drive you can see that he has the energy to win football games, if he could suit up and play he would. So that will let the fans know his heart is in to win its not the money its the honor to lead a collage football team to avhaice the best it can be win games and get to a bowl game. Good luck Dabo your friend Bill
All Comments
The interesting aspect of the entire CU search is that the TDP did not interview anyone with significant head coaching experience. It's understandable that current coaches are off-limits for the next few days, but... are you seriously telling me that there's no one who's hired/fired/recruited/assigned/etc that the Tigers wouldn't want to talk to? Clemson can't wait a week in order to interview someone with skins on the wall? There's no one in the whole country that the Tigers would want to talk to who has been off-limits up until now?
I may be misreading the situation, but... when the AD only interviews less experienced candidates, I start to wonder if the AD wants more control over the football program. If that's the case -- and there are indications that it may be -- then the AD should be canned for putting ego ahead of the future of the program.
We've already seen TDP on the sidelines a la Jerry Jones, so... this hire may say more about TDP than Swinney.
If Clemson doesn't see him there for at least 3-4 years, don't even bother--and that goes for ANY team...
By the way, exactly how long was Tony Franklin a coach at Auburn?
You're a BCS Conference Program that has Top 25 aspirations, great recruiting, a good fanbase, tradition, and all the trimmings...
...and you're here talking about taking a "one year" chance and if you don't like it, then you'll move on?
What are you smoking, man? Do you know how much damage can be done by hiring the wrong guy? Jeezus...LSU went into the 40 years of famine after we let Arnsparger go...We hired "The Player's Choice" who was also the fan's choice...Guy by the name of Mike Archer...Dude was a zero...We're talking worse of a stretch than Orgeron...
Then we hire Hudson "Curley" Hallman, and then a bargain basement retread in Gerry DiNardo...
It took us the better part of two decades to return to consistent success and a perennial Top 25 program...Which was our goal, ever since Cholly Mack retired in 1979...
You screw around with a coaching hire, or act with a cavalier attitude like that, you'll end up screwing your program up in the process...
Let's hope TDP is a tad bit more far-sighted than your opinion...
Weren't Willingham, Croom, Weis, Robinson, Prince, Chizik, Erickson, Kragthorpe, Rodriguez, and Hawkins all considered the "right" guy?
I like the guy, and will be happy to have him for more than 1 year. Honestly, I hope he retires many years from now as our head coach.
I only ask, who is the "right" guy, if not him?
Shannon does. There is a players choice that just doesn't seem to be working out.
Shannon is in his second year, is 12-12 overall, and has his 'Canes at 7-5 and bowl eligible. I don't think you can say that he's not working out. Croom had 5 years, and had an entire roster of his own players. Shannon is only starting to get his guys in there, and they've seen improvement.
Hypothetically speaking, if Clemson could choose between Mack Brown, Bob Stoops, Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, and Dabo... do you still think they would chant Dabo? If you say yes, you're a sick man. If you say no, then they need to keep searching, IMHO.
"Correct", "right", "experienced". These are all terms that people keep throwing around. Experienced doesn't mean correct or right, and there's a multitude of examples to prove that. "Correct" and "right" are the guys that take the program to the next level and win games. Well, in 6 weeks, Swinney has done both of those things as much as could be done in that time, and in the meantime he has done everything he could do to prove that he deserves the job.
You handpicked 4 of the top coaches in football to put him up against. Realistically none of those guys are options. Mack Brown was hired at North Carolina before he was considered a great coach. UNC knew what they were doing when they hired him, but they didn't have the resources to retain him. I believe we have the resources to retain Swinney if he does become what we think he will.
Ultimately, you may not like it, but we do. In the end, no one knows whether or not he is the "correct" choice until he's had more time. Based on what I've seen, he is the right guy.
I would take any of those guys over a dude who's best DI-A experience is WR coach.
Why don't we continue this conversation in 1 year? Then we can bring up all of the same names and see if the opinions have changed.
Terry Bowden: 111-53-2 all time (wins/losses/ties); Bowls 2-1; Overall Success Ratio: 2:1.
Dabo Swinney: 4-2; Overall Success Ratio: 2:1.
Am I missing something here? Experience asside, the ratio sure looks the same. So, how is it the Clemson Boosers think they're getting something better than what they've given up? I don't get it.
There's a big difference in offensive production since Swinney took over the play calling.
In the FBS games under Bowden/Spence this year, the offense averaged 15.25 ppg.
The defense averaged 18.75 ppg.
In the FBS games under Swinney this year, the offense averaged 24.33 ppg.
The defense averaged 17.83 ppg.
That is a big difference in offensive production.
Willingham, Croom, Weis, Robinson, Prince, Chizik, Erickson, Kragthorpe, and even arguably Rodriguez, and Hawkins, have all proven that the "experienced" and "safe" choice is not always the right one. At least the players visably and verbally support this guy and step up and play for him.
One more thing, CJ Spiller will be a Tiger next year, just to show his dedication for Coach Swinney.
So, I ask, who would be the better choice for the job?
A new pencil always writes good though. Time will tell if he was the right choice. A good point to consider also is that he's loved so much by his players, fans and boosters. That alone will make his job somewhat easier. I sincerely hope he works out for yall.
Geaux Tigers
Geaux SEC
We still have a bowl game to play. If we win that, the ratio isn't so close anymore, is it?
Where have I heard that before? Oh yea, every fan of a team that lost a game by less than 10 points, including me!
So, yes - I would like GT to replay their games with VT and UVa, but not interested in replaying any games that concluded with a W for GT. :-)
If we could play a lot of those games again, I feel like the outcome would be different. Now I'll just hope for a great performance in a bowl game. The ACC looks to be VERY tough next year.
Just out of curiosity, who do you think the 1 loss would be for GT?
Spiller is a phenom. I'm still POed that he didn't go to UF, but the Gator's running backs coach (at that time), Stan Drayton, also let Noel Devine slip off to WVU before he was (ahem) asked to seek other employment.
Tommy is 90-49 all time with a 4-5 Bowl Record. He is 72-45 @ Clemson.
Tommy won 50% of his games this year and that includes 2 DI-AA Opponents (or whatever they are)
Dabo won 67% of his games and they were ALL from the ACC or SEC. The team did much better with Dabo.
Don't get me wrong. I would like to see this work out for Clemson. Sometimes you have to take a chance on the young and passionate. But, as CJ up above has already said, we'll get back to him within the year and see how it worked out.
Tubs isn't going anywhere this year.
Swinney fills the areas where Bowden was weak in, and maintains the strengths that Bowden did have (Swinney was instrumental in recruiting, etc.)
This hire works for me. While it IS a risk, what cannot be denied is that Clemson HAS gotten much better in the last 10 years, and has a good base built up on many levels. The fact that the corner has yet to be turned doesn't mean that things need to be rebuilt altogether...
Shaking things up too much could lead to a Kragthorpe-sized plummet.
Since you asked... :)
Most of us wanted this before the South Carolina game.
I agree about Edsall. He'll be a fantastic hire - for Syracuse.
________________________________
BTW, I love the handle. Kudos on that.
I just wonder if you guys would have been better off going after Edsall than promoting Swinney. We'll find out. Any ACC job at this point is going to be tough because of the parity of the teams. Not sure if any one move is going to get any school real separation. The conference desperately needs "franchise" quarterbacks more than it needs head coaches. BC gets them but never gets big time WRs to pair them up with.
Edward Norton, Fight Club
If Clemson is going to roll the dice on a new coach, Dabo looks like a good gamble (IMHO). He seems like a serious player development kind of coach and has a bit more intensity than Bowden. On the other hand, Clemson is well-positioned to get a name brand coach if they want to.
First off, it was probably at least partially motivated by $$$, due to buy-out of TB;
Second, no need to deviate too far off course, since CU has solid structure in place. I posted that before; CU is well served to refrain from going too exotic, and IMO, better served the closer to home it stayed.
Frankly, this hire reminds me a lot of Miami hiring RShannon--they didn't have the money to go too exotic, due to buyout of Larry Coker; and, they stayed true to their structure, by hiring within. I expect that Clemson will be better served by this approach though, because CU, unlike UM, already has the talent there (Miami cupboard was a bit bear, when LC was tossed).
This isn't program that needs revamping; it just needs some fine tuning....
I like it; definitely better than the BOY-wonder (Lane Kiffin--he of plenty of pedigree, but zero accomplishment).
GO GATORS!!
BTW, FWIW I have heard (from very reliable sources) that no more than 2 boosters have already paid the buyout out of pocket.
Just kidding man. LOL. I know how much you love Leach.
BTW, if you haven't seen this site, you need to check it out. You have to register, but it's free and has great content.
You remember how much "ESPN hates your team"? (http://www.fanblogs.com/fanblogs/007700.php).
That's because ESPN is pure evil. And ESPN likes Mike Leach.
Do you know:
Why referees screw up so bad EVERYONE hates them? Mike Leach.
Why it always rains on July 4th when you buy lots of fireworks? Mike Leach.
Why people feel inclined to drive slow in the fast lane? Mike Leach.
Do you know why bad things happen to good people every single day?
Two words: Mike Leach.
NFL teams should schedule Texas Tech and put up 80 points a game, since he is so fond of doing that to FCS teams.
PS: Thanks for the site, I'll check it out...:)
Hard to believe that no one has stolen this guy from Cincinnati.
My guess is that he's off to Kansas State.
If you do something once and it works, it's nice - twice and it's tradition and a winning tradition is the best thing Clemson's got going for it! All these people thinking the Clemson AD didn't look far enough weren't in Death Valley this past Saturday to see the electricity flowing between the players, coaches and fans - they sound like the fox with the sour grapes to me!