Nebraska had their current coach, Bo Pelini, on staff for the remainder of the season that Solich was fired. He was the interim head coach. They let him go, and went downhill. Now that he's back they look to be in the right direction. Hopefully we will not make the same mistake if Swinney is the guy for the job, just like Pelini was back then.
Kevin @ Fanblogs
· 1 year ago
Pelini coached one game that season - if memory serves. He was the winning coach in their bowl game.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Yeah he did. The 'Huskers beat Michigan State 17-3 in the Alamo Bowl. I remember the game well, and I remember being angry that the 'Huskers didn't retain him. It doesn't always work out well to retain the interim HC, but in that case I'm almost positive that it would have.
The west coast offense in Big Red country!? Are you kidding?
Ramblin' Gator
· 1 year ago
CJ, what's on Swinney's resume? I presumed he would only be the interim HC, but could he remain in this position "permanently"?
This is a little off-topic, though related...
HC at Clemson is a high-profile position that should attract a top candidate, though it's been noted before that the ACC doesn't pay the high dollars for top coaches the way the SEC, Big-12 and Big 10/11 do. Clemson can attract a top coach, but will they offer enough to bring him in? What's the remaining budget after "retiring" T-Bowden?
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
If you have a few minutes, read this article written by Mickey Plyler. It's pretty dead on in my opinion.
Every Clemson person that I've spoken with loved Swinney's presser last night. It seems like Clemson is united again and is in full support of Swinney. With that said, if he can produce success, I think he has an excellent opportunity to remain as the head coach of the Tigers. TDP has said that he fully backs Dabo and sounds to be actually giving him the opportunity to retain the position. TDP's last 2 hires were Les Miles and Mike Gundy, so however it ends up, I have full confidence that he'll make the right decision.
As a side note, Dabo has moved Billy Napier and Jeff Scott (if you follow SC high school football, you'd know this guy does amazing things with offenses) up into the booth to help him call plays on Saturday. With those 3, I full expect to see some drastic improvements to this offense. I doubt that it can happen in one week, but we'll see.
I really don't know how much money will be offered and I think that it will depend on the person. However I would personally not be too surprised to see a $2M/year offer.
blackdawg
· 1 year ago
CJ, Vandy's a little concerned but remember Gerry Dinardo's some what limited success.
Johnson is a good guy and I like what he's doing. Although hiring him would be a risk any way that you look at it.
RazzMaTazz
· 1 year ago
CJ: You have more confidence than I do in the judgment of Clemson's AD (Phillips). This is the same guy who gave Bowden an extension and $4M buyout a few months ago. At the time I thought it was about the stupidist thing I'd ever seen an AD do. I also have no confidence that he will consider all potential candidates, like Lane Kiffin or Chris Peterson. I suspect TDP will limit his choices to guys with a southern accent, rather than the best man for the job.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
I personally believe that TDP was pressured into it. I could be wrong though.
RazzMaTazz
· 1 year ago
I've heard rumors that the president (Barker) forced TDP to give Bowden and extension. But in TDP's press conference the other day, he said that it was his idea and that his reasoning was that Clemson was headed in the right direction, and had so much player-talent returning that he felt that they needed to keep Bowden and give him an extension so that he could recruit. (Man those are some expensive recruits.) TDP said that he took the idea of a contract extension to Barker, and Barker agreed. Now I know TDP is a lawyer/AD so everything that he said may be political spin doctoring. But I actually believed him (which is unusual).
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Either way, TDP hired Purnell (correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that I'm not) and he was definitely the right guy for the job. So, I personally feel confidant that he'll find the right guy for our football program, whoever it may be.
RazzMaTazz
· 1 year ago
So TDP is one for two. I feel better now. :-)
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
One for two? I'm not following. Who are the 2?
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
Clemson_Joe:
Who hired all of these great coaches that reside at Clemson? Could this man possibly be brilliant is spotting talent? And, if these coaches are so great, why can't Clemson block, run or pass? Why can't they stop the run? Does the head coach really control all the position players? Or, does he maybe depend on his staff to do that?
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
The last coach lost the players, so it doesn't really matter what else he did or didn't do. The new coach will attempt to get the players back and all indications are that he is doing a fairly good job. There will also be new coaches calling plays, so maybe our plays won't be so mind numbingly horrific anymore. That in itself could be all the change that we need. We'll see over the next few weeks how it goes.
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
Clemson_Joe:
It has been absurd, in many instances, that Davis and Spiller have only carried the rock around ten times a game. If those guys would get it around 30 times - they'd probably take at least three of em' to the barn. That'd be at least 21 for you guys. I agree that the play calling has been atrocious. Worse than that, abandoning the run early in games, is beyond my imagination.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
I agree on all counts. We're excited to see what changes are made, and the "common sense" ones, like the one you speak of, should be made instantly.
RazzMaTazz
· 1 year ago
Tommy: It's not that simple. Clemson's recently fired OC (Spence) was very conservative, predictable, and incompetent. He usually ran the ball on 1st & 2nd down, and then he threw on 3rd down, but usually short of the first down marker (hoping that the receiver would get past the 1st down marker). He rarely threw the ball further than about 5 yards down the field. So smart opponents (like Wake this year, or UMD in the 2nd half this year, and BC last year) stacked the box and stopped the run. Unfortunately, play after play, Spence predictablly sent Davis and Spiller running into brick walls. Spence needed to launch a balanced attack, stretching the field, and keeping the defense honest, so that Davis and Spiller could run, and the receivers could catch. THAT has been Clemson's biggest failure over the last few years. Clemson's OC was incapable of launching a balanced attack, exposing mis-matches, or playing cat & mouse. He didn't take advantage of what defenses were giving him. Last year, BC had the #109th ranked pass defense & #2 ranked run-defense, but Spence spent most of his play calls sending Davis & Spiller into brick walls for NO gain. This year, Spence only threw ONE pass past the 1st down marker in the second half against Maryland's 112th ranked pass defense even though UMD had 8-9 guys in the box. Wake had 8-9 guys in the box from the very first series (and 5 down-linemen), but Spence stuck with his stupid run & screen offense, until Clemson was so desperate that everyone in the stadium knew that Clemson had to pass every down at the end of the game. And then, of course, Wake dropped back into passs coverage. Clemson's old OC was just completely outwitted by good opponents.
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
Razz:
Hey, I'm with you. I'm completely aware of what mismanaged play calling will acvhieve. Worst thing you can do is to run on 1st and 2nd - then throw it on 3rd. Maybe some 1st down passes are in order. Maybe some misdirection, or counters, on 3rd down. Maybe - anything that is not predictable. Halfback screens only work a couple of times a game. They do help to keep the OLB's outside somewhat. But, don't you want to get Spiller outside? So, that doesn't seem like a good idea. You really have to work the whole field. You have got to get the defense to spread out. But, working the whole field, only helps when you make plays. The players still have to execute. If you can't throw deep - then you can't throw deep. If your receiver's can't hang onto the ball in crossing routes - then the defense doesn't have to worry about that either. To get those LB's to back up - you have to be able to complete some mid-range pass patterns (especially inside). The TE needs to be utilized over the middle. Many different plays have to be executed. Execution is the key. Good play selection is another great asset.
RazzMaTazz
· 1 year ago
Exactly. And exactly what our old OC didnt' do. I'd love to see Spiller on the perimiter and downfield as a receiver.
Wardboy3
· 1 year ago
Is Jeff Scott related to Brad Scott...old Fla St OC---SC HC---CLEM everything coach?
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
They are related. Jeff is Brad's son.
Thomas
· 1 year ago
Dabo is a very good coach and i feel he has an opportunity to bring the team back together after this fatal year they are having . In my opinion i dont think he needs to be the head coach after this year unless the team plays better. I personally believe that we need someone like lane kiffin or someone with great defense knowledge. We will see what happens though. I dont want to speak to soon and have to put my foot in my though. Go Tigers!!!!!!
Regan
· 1 year ago
Pulling the plug on a coach mid-season? Pathetic.
We all know he had to go, in retrospect, and I would even have called for it - when it was time.
What's left of Clemson's 2008 season is now in chaos and the incoming recruiting class is going to jump ship. Thanks.
blackdawg
· 1 year ago
At UGA we heard the same recruiting argument with Goff and Donnan. The thing is you eventually start losing recruits when you prove that you can't get to the conference championship game or a BCS game. Goff who was a great recruiter for Dooley and recruited well for a while but when he proved he couldn't get to the SEC championship game blue chippers eventually quit coming to GA. Goffs 10-2 and 9-3 seasons turned to 5-6, & 4-7. Donnan did a great job getting the talent level back up but Donnan would have probably ended up the same way as Goff if Dooley had not made a change when he did. Dooley did let Goff finish the season as a lame duck HC. Donnan was fired after our Oahu bowl victory. Donnans record against our in conference rivals(FL, TN, AUB) and GA Tech was 6-14. Richt by the way, in his second year with Donnans recruits went 13-1 and we were ranked 3rd in the polls. That could very well happen in Clemson if ya'll make the right hire. Good Luck.
Regan
· 1 year ago
I'm not saying the guy shouldn't have gone - My beef with the whole thing is the fact it happened Mid-Season.
In the Mid-Season, it throws the whole process into chaos.
blackdawg
· 1 year ago
Regan,
I can see your point, but the fact that Tommy wasn't a horrible coach and had a knack of avoiding the ax made it a smarter move to do it now. What would happen if Tommy ended up winning out and you had a 9-3 record? Then Terry Don Phillips has a bigger problem because the divide between the supporters and the non supporters would be huge. He might feel forced to give Tommy another year, even though you don't play for the ACC championship or go to a BCS game. Another year and more of the same.
Or maybe, you continued to win and lose, the debate and vitriol from IPTAY and fans would simmer and erupt the rest of the season, thats not good either. I think you are in the best situation, you have your best chance to improve and you can start now.
Regan
· 1 year ago
For my money, I'd hope he came back and won all 6 games, because I pull for Clemson. Now, I hope Swinney wins all 6 games.
If Clemson won out, and won the Bowl game, the anti-Bowden fans would be numbered in the double-digits. We can pretend otherwise all we want, but College Football Fans have VERY short-term memories and we all know it.
I thimk that Phillips should have given Bowden until the end of the year, and then checked to see if the season was a success. If not, let him go. If so, give him a 1 year extension (or a normal extension if he won an ACC Championship).
Honestly, though, I hope you're right - I admit my opinion regarding supporting the coach/team no matter what is a bit idealistic/unrealistic.
Meh....the best way to express my opinion is a cheesy analogy: I am a Small-Business Guy in a Corporate World...
Hotty_Toddy
· 1 year ago
And you don't wanna be in the wilderness.... it's a sad, sad place...
Ole Miss Wilderness - '04-'07
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
HT:
Your not gonna be in the wilderness much longer. Get a win over Bama this weekend - and nobody will have two more impressive wins. Just hang in there.
Hotty_Toddy
· 1 year ago
It's not entirely impossible. I'm hoping for a break through of Bama's wins of just 3 points the last few times. Although after beating Florida, everyone has their antenna up toward us and won't let us sneak up anymore. We'll just have to go in and execute, period.
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
HT:
Mississippi will be going there to win the game. Make no mistake about that. Orgeron did recruit some pretty good talent - and Nutt knows what to do with it. I see a real hard fought game. I don't think that Bama is gonna be able to push around the Reb's DL. You guys better be able to run it though. Bama has a real good secondary - and this isn't the game for Snead to go thru any kinda "learning curve". He needs to come out and play smart. Alabama is gonna become complacent at some point during the year. It's a long year. They have fallen asleep against both Tulane and Kentucky. It could happen again.
Hotty_Toddy
· 1 year ago
We have a stable of running backs. Cordera Eason, Enrique Davis, Devin Thomas and Dexter McCluster (mostly in the Wild Rebel formation). They've all done a pretty good job of pounding the ball. But its hard to replace a BenJarvus-Green Ellis.
I completely agree -- Snead needs to step up. If we have a replay against Vanderbilt, there won't be no "still keeping it close although.." factor in this game. Alabama won't just hang around to let us keep it close if we keep turning the ball over.
And for crying out loud, if Houston Nutt lines up McCluster in the Wild Rebel at the two-yard line ONE MORE TIME, I think blood is gonna shoot out of my eye. He fumbles it EVERY TIME when he's that close.
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
HT:
Why don't they just give it to Eason down around the goal line? Is the offensive line really not so good? I thought that you guys had an All-American named Oher or something down there? Can't they just run it in over him? I thought that he was a real stud...
Hotty_Toddy
· 1 year ago
We do on occasion. Eason is definately what we need for the short, hard fought yardage especially on the goal line. I'd like to see alot more of 5-Star recruit Enrique Davis.
Oher has picked up almost every preseason award you can get, and now is all-american. Whenever we run the ball, its usually to his side. He's a first-rounder top 10, easy.
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
HT:
I just saw Yahoo's mid-season All-American team. Oher is a 1st team tackle so far. But, there are no 1st team players from Southern Cal's defense, so I don't know how good their picks really are. That being said, maybe if they run it over Oher too often, the offense is getting too predicable in short yardage situations. I thought that Snead had some wheels. They ought to try some naked bootlegs on occasion. Something a little different - but enough of Eason to keep them honest around the goal line.
Hotty_Toddy
· 1 year ago
Oh, we do. We mix-match everything and everyone in the Wild Rebel formation. You really don't ever know what's gonna happen -- run or pass? Who's getting the ball? Who MIGHT throw it? And if so, who are they throwing it to? If they keep it on the ground, is it a reverse? Or just a direct snap and then straight ahead? You never know if we'll go straight ahead with Eason OR McCluster, do a sweep around with Eason or McCluster, hand off from either one to either one, or a reverse pass to Snead. (See Memphis opener). Not too mention possible end-arounds with Wallace or Hodge.
I think we should run it more often, but just not in goal line situations. Or at least, not letting McCluster handle it in the goal line situations. He's quick, mobile and can turn on the afterburners in the open field -- but he's too small to be left to charge into the endzone. Too much of a fumble risk.
ROLLTIDE_73
· 1 year ago
I don't think we will be asleep against a team we know upset Florida.And our D line is stronger than the secondary I think were only giving up 50 some odd yard rushing a game.If Ole miss beats us they will have to be able to through because I don't think they will be able to run.This is usually a tough game and we know that.I'm going to be interested to see LSU and S Carolina.Will LSU be able to be up after last weeks lose.
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
RollTide73:
Well, I wouldn't think so. But everybody else is. Look at BYU tonight. I don't think they even came to the game - did they? I don't know who was wearing those Cougar uniforms - but it could not have been the BYU football players.
ROLLTIDE_73
· 1 year ago
The Ole Miss game is always a tight one.despite the fact we are 44-9-2 against the rebels it is always a tough game.Of course i'm bias.Plus I think there is to much talk about the upset here for the Alabama team to no the aware of it
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
RollTide73:
The Tide have not covered, I think 0-8 under Saban, when they have been favored by more than 10 points. This makes for every game being somewhat tough when Alabama opens up as heavy favorites. It's quite common with alot of teams though. But, as upstart teams start to ascend the ladder, they can become just as complacent as many other good teams do.
clemson1981
· 1 year ago
Dabo is the right man for the job right now, and should no doubt be the first person they consider as the next HC. He is a great young guy, who will keep the great reputation of Clemson off the field, in the classroom and in the social world of college. He will also produce results on the field. Top that with history. He is yet another Clemson head coach from Alabama you know the other two Tiger coaches from Alabama:
Frank Howard and Danny Ford
If history is correct, this is the best thing Clemson can do for themselves.
Also Clemson Joe: What do you think of this rumor that TDP will be going to Michigan soon? Just as "vacation" of sorts.
blackdawg
· 1 year ago
Someone told Dan Scott he flew to Michigan today. Just a wild rumor though, no verification. You know that the nationwide search has started, but I believe you need permission to talk to coaches under contract. I imagine it is hard to get permission during the season. Coacheshotseat.com says R.R. has $2.5 million dollar contract and a 4 million dollar buyout.
Regan
· 1 year ago
I had heard that RichRod claimed (before Michigan) that he would love to return to Clemson as HC.
Just throwing that out there...
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 1 year ago
That would be a Petrino-type switcheroo. Or Saban-like...
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
I'd have to say that's just a rumor. I'm sure there will be many more to come.
The plane is a Piper single piston according to the manifest. I suspect RR would come down in nothing short of a Leer, but that's just me.
Geaux Tigers Geaux SEC
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Yeah, it's been semi confirmed to be RR's agent. I'm sure he's not just the agent of RR. Apparently the meeting has been scheduled for quite a while as well. Who knows what it's about. I try not to get excited or let my mind wander too much about any of this stuff. For all we know he came down to eat at Calhoun Corners.
RazzMaTazz
· 1 year ago
Recruits would have bailed if Clemson kept losing, so I think it's just as well to fire Bowden mid-season. (And if they snag Lane Kiffin now because he's available NOW, then Kiffin could start recruiting and hiring, like UNC did with Butch Davis. But Kiffin doesn't have a southern accent so I don't see Clemson hiring him.)
Personally, I was just sick of seeing Bowden on the sideline looking all worried, lost, and pathetic, so I'm glad he's gone mid-season. I think Clemson is more likely to win under Dabo than under Bowden. Dabo gives the team new hope under an inspiring coach. More importantly, the simple fact that Dabo fired the old OC (Rob Spence) as his first task, should add about 14 points of offense per game. Bowden biggest downfall was keeping his buddy Spence, who was clearly incompetent. I think Clemson would have beaten UMD and Wake if somebody other than Rob Spence had been calling the plays-- even with a marginal O-line.
I'm hopeful that the defense will continue to do a good job, and the offense will do better because of the play calling. Dabo has already said that from now on, Clemson will be throwing the ball deep (unlike Spence). I expect Dabo (and Napier) to be more aggressive on play calling. I expect to see Clemson actually throw the ball past the first down marker more than once per half. And I expect him to roll out the dual-threat redshirt freshman QB, Korn to mitigate the weakness of the O-line. I expect more interceptions, but even more touchdowns.
I'm far more excited to watch Clemson play this week than I have been for years. Every week I just dreaded watching Rob Spence's predictable run & screen offensive play calling. Play after play, everybody in the stadium knew what he was going to call.
How funny would it be if Clemson won out? I can dream can't I?
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Yes you can dream, and you should.
I agree with you about the offense. It may take a few weeks (I hope it takes about 1 play) but if the play calling starts to look more like someone who knows football is calling it, then we will undoubtedly score more points. I am hopeful and confidant that the defense will continue what they've been doing. I have liked everything that I've ever heard or seen out of Dabo Swinney and I really hope that continues.
I'm really not sold on Kiffin and I'm really not sure that I want to see the WCO at Clemson. We'll see though.
Go Tigers!
RazzMaTazz
· 1 year ago
I'm also not sold on Kiffin since he's kinda unproven as a head coach. No college head coaching experience, and a losing record in his one season with the Raiders. He had success as the OC at USC, but I think even I could have success as OC at USC. Maybe Tommy Trojan could give us the inside scoop.
If Clemson waits until the end of the season to hire a coach, there will be lot of tough competition from attractive schools. Washington for certain. Maybe Auburn & Tennessee. Iowa & Syracuse (though neither is as attractive as Clemson).
I like Kiffin because he's available now and he was a great recruiter, so he could step in now and win-back & win-new recruits. He may be even more attractive as a recruiter now that he's been in the NFL because he can tell recruits that he knows what they need to do to get to the NFL as a coach who as sent college players to the NFL and one who hired them into the NFL.
As a human who loves feel-good, American-dream stories, I'd actually kinda prefer to see Dabo win-out (win the Orange bowl) and be retained as the head coach. He seems like a great guy and a player's coach. And he's been a great recruiter. And if he wins, he'll have credibility with recruits. I'd also like Dabo to prove that Clemson can win with the existing player-talent, and that the problem (as I've been saying for years) has Bowden and Spence. (It's all about me!)
But if we have to take a hit for one year on recruiting to get a great coach, it'll be worth it. I still like Chris Peterson-- but again he doesn't have a southern accent so I don't think there's any chance that Clemson would hire him (or Kiffin).
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
I'm really not worried at all about the recruiting. We'll get players, especially with Swinney, Napier, Blackwell, and the others still in Clemson orange. I think it'd be great if we didn't have to worry about hiring a coach and we could just keep the guy we have. I'd also love it if Dabo can win with the players that Clemson has, which would prove you and me right about Bowden/Spence.
I'm excited about Saturday, that's for sure. I will be attending my first Clemson game this year, and most Clemson folks that I know down in the midlands are headed up for their first game as well. It should be a good time, and it's going to be exhilarating to feel Death Valley rocking again!
Go Tigers!
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
Razz:
Lane Kiffen has studied under Norm Chow. He isn't as good as Chow and neither is Sarkisian. I doubt if anybody is. We were quite spoiled while Norm Chow was calling the plays. Kiffen has also coached with Pete Carroll, Ed Orgeron, Ken Norton Jr., Nick Holt and S&C Coach Randy Carlisle to name a few of the staff. USC is a "professional football factory". It's an environment. This is a place to go and play to get ready to play in the NFL. It is a very professional environment. They play for real here. Nothing less than a National Championship or Major BCS Bowl victory is exceptable. He brings this with him.
Lane Kiffen was the QB coach. Although, Carson Palmer was a highly regarded QB, he greatly struggled under the prior regime. When Carroll's staff took over, Kiffen was able to transform a QB who threw erratically, into a Heisman Trophy winner and the top pick in the NFL draft. In the following year, which was 2003, USC had to decide from three different prospects - who would be the next QB. Matt Leinert at that time, was listed as the 3rd string QB, and the least likely to win the job. Somehow, he was able to beat out Matt Casell, and the rest is history. Leinert would go on to become the greatest QB in PAC-10 history. Lane Kiffen had a great hand in his development.
After the 2005 season, USC lost everything to the NFL draft, including the OC Norm Chow to Tennessee. Lane Kiffen took over as the OC. Gone were the QB, both RB's, the FB, the TE, and three of the offensive linemen. All gone on to the NFL. This was an enormous undertaking for Kiffen. The 1st thing that went wrong were that the top three returning FB's were knocked out for the year. USC had to rely on freshmen RB's and a freshmen (converted to) FB in Allen Bradford. The FB position in the West Coast offense is extremely important. Kiffen did a great job until the final regular season game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. In that game, which would have sent USC to the BCS NC game had they won, the DE's (both All PAC 10) of UCLA were not able to be blocked by our interior linemen. Our freshmen FB could not pick up the assignment's - and UCLA spent the entire afternoon in USC's backfield. Kiffen made the mistake of trying to pass the ball over and over again. JD Booty had no time to throw the ball. Dwayne Jarret and Steve Smith could not even get into their routes before Booty was forced to flee or be sacked. Kiffen refused to pound the rock up the middle on this defense. He was convinced that we were gonna get a "Big Play" or two. It never happened. We lost that game by a score of 13-9. It was one of the most hard-headed, stubborn, acts of play calling that I have ever witnessed. That did cost us a shot at a National Championship. In the following game, the 2007 Rose Bowl, Kiffen would call a game plan that would go out and annihilate a Michigan defense that had been ranked # 2 in the country at the time. Shortly afterward - the Oakland Raiders would come calling.
Lane Kiffen was turning the corner with Oakland. He had made the team into something that was at least competitive. At least they were in most games until the 4th quarter. That hadn't happened prior to Kiffen. Oakland went back to what they usually do, getting blown out by New Orleans 34-3, immediately after Kiffen was let go. The main source of the problem was that Kiffen didn't agree with Al Davis on anything. This in and of itself, puts him on the same footing, as John Gruden and Mike Shanahan. Kiffen did not want JaMarcus Russell. Russell was not his kind of QB. Kiffen wanted Adrian Peterson instead. What would Oakland had bveen like this year with Peterson at RB and Matt Ryan taking the snaps? That would have been more to Kiffen's liking. Nevertheless, he did not agree with any of Al Davis' personnel moves either. Al Davis is a complete moron and everybody knows that. He should have just gotten out of Kiffen's way and let him run the team. Kiffen probably forced Davis' hand and really isn't too bothered about it. He came out smelling like a rose.
All that said, Kiffen is a great recruiter from a professional football background, who is tough and does not back down. He is a great developer of young QB's - including JD Booty and Mark Sanchez. He's probably very adequate as a play caller (although that UCLA loss will forever burn my brain) and fully understands what to do, to turn a struggling program, into a National Championship type of program. Of course with the recruiting base, it was much easier done at Southern Cal, but the guy certainly knows what extremely talented players look like. That's what I know.
RazzMaTazz
· 1 year ago
Wow! Thanks for takiing the time to post that info on Kiffen. I looked him up on the web a couple times and got the black & white bio, but you added a lot of color that gives me a much better picture. I don't really follow pro ball at all, so I wasn't aware of the Al Davis personel-micro-management issue (though I'm aware that the guy is a nut). Very interesting.
So you don't exactly come out and say it, but I guess you think Clemson would do well to hire Kiffin as head coach (UCLA upset and all), right?
By the way, I watched that UCLA upset. It was an exciting game. But since I didn't have a dog in the fight, I don't remember who did what right or wrong.
TigerEducated
· 1 year ago
I think it's out of my system now...I think I can talk football again...I've spent time looking at Kevin's vacation destination...
I feel recharged...
Tommy_Trojan
· 1 year ago
TE:
That's it. Chin up. One foot in front of the other. Move forward. The great thing about this blog, is that most everybody on here, supports a great football program. We're all gonna lose one here or there - but we're all gonna be able to talk shit forever. Fire away!
RM
· 1 year ago
When I hear some of the players' comments and some of the players' parents' comments, I can see what the answer to this problem is for the next coach.
Don'r recruit kids who are so full of their own press clippings. And don't recruit kids whose parents feed their kids' egos.
TigerHater
· 1 year ago
3 of the Tiger teams that I hate, (Clemson, Missouri & Auburn) are down for the count. That leaves one more. Can you say, "TE ain't laughing now"?
Just think about this . . . next year you'll see Les Miles recruits all over the field. Oh God! I can't wait!
clemsonsucks
· 1 year ago
Clemson sucks and has for a while. Anyone that wears purple and orange together needs a conatnt ass whipping. You suck and your school sucks.
Clemson_Joe
· 1 year ago
Good luck not getting burned by the fry oil during your night shift at Burger King.
U.of S.C.1978
· 1 year ago
LOL. I'm thinking he already got burnt. At any rate, here is new news, BEN AXON.
""Instant playing time and the difference between the SEC and the ACC," he said in giving reasons for going with USC. "At Clemson, I was guaranteed a little playing time if I worked hard, but at South Carolina I was guaranteed the starting job if I work hard."
So, he's switching so he can play. That makes sense. We are fine in that department. That's really not much concern for us right now.
U.of S.C.1978
· 1 year ago
Dayum, a stronger class than last year, thus far. The future is so bright, I must wear shades. Or dark glasses, or bricks. Something along those lines.
Yeah, that makes sense. J.K. Jay has strong Christian faith, like Swinney. That's how Swinney recruited so many of those guys (including Spiller). It's no doubt that if the current staff isn't retained, more than just J.K. Jay will be gone.
That'll be bad if he leaves, because he should be a Tiger, but it's all for the greater good.
All Comments
The west coast offense in Big Red country!? Are you kidding?
This is a little off-topic, though related...
HC at Clemson is a high-profile position that should attract a top candidate, though it's been noted before that the ACC doesn't pay the high dollars for top coaches the way the SEC, Big-12 and Big 10/11 do. Clemson can attract a top coach, but will they offer enough to bring him in? What's the remaining budget after "retiring" T-Bowden?
http://www.tigernet.com/blogs/plyler/?entry=dab...
Every Clemson person that I've spoken with loved Swinney's presser last night. It seems like Clemson is united again and is in full support of Swinney. With that said, if he can produce success, I think he has an excellent opportunity to remain as the head coach of the Tigers. TDP has said that he fully backs Dabo and sounds to be actually giving him the opportunity to retain the position. TDP's last 2 hires were Les Miles and Mike Gundy, so however it ends up, I have full confidence that he'll make the right decision.
As a side note, Dabo has moved Billy Napier and Jeff Scott (if you follow SC high school football, you'd know this guy does amazing things with offenses) up into the booth to help him call plays on Saturday. With those 3, I full expect to see some drastic improvements to this offense. I doubt that it can happen in one week, but we'll see.
I really don't know how much money will be offered and I think that it will depend on the person. However I would personally not be too surprised to see a $2M/year offer.
You may have seen this, but in case you haven't.
http://www.vanderbiltsportsline.com/2008/10/cle...
Good point. He went to Notre Dame though.
Johnson is a good guy and I like what he's doing. Although hiring him would be a risk any way that you look at it.
Who hired all of these great coaches that reside at Clemson? Could this man possibly be brilliant is spotting talent? And, if these coaches are so great, why can't Clemson block, run or pass? Why can't they stop the run? Does the head coach really control all the position players? Or, does he maybe depend on his staff to do that?
It has been absurd, in many instances, that Davis and Spiller have only carried the rock around ten times a game. If those guys would get it around 30 times - they'd probably take at least three of em' to the barn. That'd be at least 21 for you guys. I agree that the play calling has been atrocious. Worse than that, abandoning the run early in games, is beyond my imagination.
Hey, I'm with you. I'm completely aware of what mismanaged play calling will acvhieve. Worst thing you can do is to run on 1st and 2nd - then throw it on 3rd. Maybe some 1st down passes are in order. Maybe some misdirection, or counters, on 3rd down. Maybe - anything that is not predictable. Halfback screens only work a couple of times a game. They do help to keep the OLB's outside somewhat. But, don't you want to get Spiller outside? So, that doesn't seem like a good idea. You really have to work the whole field. You have got to get the defense to spread out. But, working the whole field, only helps when you make plays. The players still have to execute. If you can't throw deep - then you can't throw deep. If your receiver's can't hang onto the ball in crossing routes - then the defense doesn't have to worry about that either. To get those LB's to back up - you have to be able to complete some mid-range pass patterns (especially inside). The TE needs to be utilized over the middle. Many different plays have to be executed. Execution is the key. Good play selection is another great asset.
We all know he had to go, in retrospect, and I would even have called for it - when it was time.
What's left of Clemson's 2008 season is now in chaos and the incoming recruiting class is going to jump ship. Thanks.
In the Mid-Season, it throws the whole process into chaos.
I can see your point, but the fact that Tommy wasn't a horrible coach and had a knack of avoiding the ax made it a smarter move to do it now. What would happen if Tommy ended up winning out and you had a 9-3 record? Then Terry Don Phillips has a bigger problem because the divide between the supporters and the non supporters would be huge. He might feel forced to give Tommy another year, even though you don't play for the ACC championship or go to a BCS game. Another year and more of the same.
Or maybe, you continued to win and lose, the debate and vitriol from IPTAY and fans would simmer and erupt the rest of the season, thats not good either. I think you are in the best situation, you have your best chance to improve and you can start now.
If Clemson won out, and won the Bowl game, the anti-Bowden fans would be numbered in the double-digits. We can pretend otherwise all we want, but College Football Fans have VERY short-term memories and we all know it.
I thimk that Phillips should have given Bowden until the end of the year, and then checked to see if the season was a success. If not, let him go. If so, give him a 1 year extension (or a normal extension if he won an ACC Championship).
Honestly, though, I hope you're right - I admit my opinion regarding supporting the coach/team no matter what is a bit idealistic/unrealistic.
Meh....the best way to express my opinion is a cheesy analogy: I am a Small-Business Guy in a Corporate World...
Ole Miss Wilderness - '04-'07
Your not gonna be in the wilderness much longer. Get a win over Bama this weekend - and nobody will have two more impressive wins. Just hang in there.
Mississippi will be going there to win the game. Make no mistake about that. Orgeron did recruit some pretty good talent - and Nutt knows what to do with it. I see a real hard fought game. I don't think that Bama is gonna be able to push around the Reb's DL. You guys better be able to run it though. Bama has a real good secondary - and this isn't the game for Snead to go thru any kinda "learning curve". He needs to come out and play smart. Alabama is gonna become complacent at some point during the year. It's a long year. They have fallen asleep against both Tulane and Kentucky. It could happen again.
I completely agree -- Snead needs to step up. If we have a replay against Vanderbilt, there won't be no "still keeping it close although.." factor in this game. Alabama won't just hang around to let us keep it close if we keep turning the ball over.
And for crying out loud, if Houston Nutt lines up McCluster in the Wild Rebel at the two-yard line ONE MORE TIME, I think blood is gonna shoot out of my eye. He fumbles it EVERY TIME when he's that close.
Why don't they just give it to Eason down around the goal line? Is the offensive line really not so good? I thought that you guys had an All-American named Oher or something down there? Can't they just run it in over him? I thought that he was a real stud...
Oher has picked up almost every preseason award you can get, and now is all-american. Whenever we run the ball, its usually to his side. He's a first-rounder top 10, easy.
I just saw Yahoo's mid-season All-American team. Oher is a 1st team tackle so far. But, there are no 1st team players from Southern Cal's defense, so I don't know how good their picks really are. That being said, maybe if they run it over Oher too often, the offense is getting too predicable in short yardage situations. I thought that Snead had some wheels. They ought to try some naked bootlegs on occasion. Something a little different - but enough of Eason to keep them honest around the goal line.
I think we should run it more often, but just not in goal line situations. Or at least, not letting McCluster handle it in the goal line situations. He's quick, mobile and can turn on the afterburners in the open field -- but he's too small to be left to charge into the endzone. Too much of a fumble risk.
Well, I wouldn't think so. But everybody else is. Look at BYU tonight. I don't think they even came to the game - did they? I don't know who was wearing those Cougar uniforms - but it could not have been the BYU football players.
The Tide have not covered, I think 0-8 under Saban, when they have been favored by more than 10 points. This makes for every game being somewhat tough when Alabama opens up as heavy favorites. It's quite common with alot of teams though. But, as upstart teams start to ascend the ladder, they can become just as complacent as many other good teams do.
Frank Howard and Danny Ford
If history is correct, this is the best thing Clemson can do for themselves.
Also Clemson Joe:
What do you think of this rumor that TDP will be going to Michigan soon? Just as "vacation" of sorts.
Just throwing that out there...
UPDATE: There is a flight to Ann Arbor. How strange. He's the airport in Clemson:
http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KCEU
Geaux Tigers
Geaux SEC
Personally, I was just sick of seeing Bowden on the sideline looking all worried, lost, and pathetic, so I'm glad he's gone mid-season. I think Clemson is more likely to win under Dabo than under Bowden. Dabo gives the team new hope under an inspiring coach. More importantly, the simple fact that Dabo fired the old OC (Rob Spence) as his first task, should add about 14 points of offense per game. Bowden biggest downfall was keeping his buddy Spence, who was clearly incompetent. I think Clemson would have beaten UMD and Wake if somebody other than Rob Spence had been calling the plays-- even with a marginal O-line.
I'm hopeful that the defense will continue to do a good job, and the offense will do better because of the play calling. Dabo has already said that from now on, Clemson will be throwing the ball deep (unlike Spence). I expect Dabo (and Napier) to be more aggressive on play calling. I expect to see Clemson actually throw the ball past the first down marker more than once per half. And I expect him to roll out the dual-threat redshirt freshman QB, Korn to mitigate the weakness of the O-line. I expect more interceptions, but even more touchdowns.
I'm far more excited to watch Clemson play this week than I have been for years. Every week I just dreaded watching Rob Spence's predictable run & screen offensive play calling. Play after play, everybody in the stadium knew what he was going to call.
How funny would it be if Clemson won out? I can dream can't I?
I agree with you about the offense. It may take a few weeks (I hope it takes about 1 play) but if the play calling starts to look more like someone who knows football is calling it, then we will undoubtedly score more points. I am hopeful and confidant that the defense will continue what they've been doing. I have liked everything that I've ever heard or seen out of Dabo Swinney and I really hope that continues.
I'm really not sold on Kiffin and I'm really not sure that I want to see the WCO at Clemson. We'll see though.
Go Tigers!
If Clemson waits until the end of the season to hire a coach, there will be lot of tough competition from attractive schools. Washington for certain. Maybe Auburn & Tennessee. Iowa & Syracuse (though neither is as attractive as Clemson).
I like Kiffin because he's available now and he was a great recruiter, so he could step in now and win-back & win-new recruits. He may be even more attractive as a recruiter now that he's been in the NFL because he can tell recruits that he knows what they need to do to get to the NFL as a coach who as sent college players to the NFL and one who hired them into the NFL.
As a human who loves feel-good, American-dream stories, I'd actually kinda prefer to see Dabo win-out (win the Orange bowl) and be retained as the head coach. He seems like a great guy and a player's coach. And he's been a great recruiter. And if he wins, he'll have credibility with recruits. I'd also like Dabo to prove that Clemson can win with the existing player-talent, and that the problem (as I've been saying for years) has Bowden and Spence. (It's all about me!)
But if we have to take a hit for one year on recruiting to get a great coach, it'll be worth it. I still like Chris Peterson-- but again he doesn't have a southern accent so I don't think there's any chance that Clemson would hire him (or Kiffin).
I'm excited about Saturday, that's for sure. I will be attending my first Clemson game this year, and most Clemson folks that I know down in the midlands are headed up for their first game as well. It should be a good time, and it's going to be exhilarating to feel Death Valley rocking again!
Go Tigers!
Lane Kiffen has studied under Norm Chow. He isn't as good as Chow and neither is Sarkisian. I doubt if anybody is. We were quite spoiled while Norm Chow was calling the plays. Kiffen has also coached with Pete Carroll, Ed Orgeron, Ken Norton Jr., Nick Holt and S&C Coach Randy Carlisle to name a few of the staff. USC is a "professional football factory". It's an environment. This is a place to go and play to get ready to play in the NFL. It is a very professional environment. They play for real here. Nothing less than a National Championship or Major BCS Bowl victory is exceptable. He brings this with him.
Lane Kiffen was the QB coach. Although, Carson Palmer was a highly regarded QB, he greatly struggled under the prior regime. When Carroll's staff took over, Kiffen was able to transform a QB who threw erratically, into a Heisman Trophy winner and the top pick in the NFL draft. In the following year, which was 2003, USC had to decide from three different prospects - who would be the next QB. Matt Leinert at that time, was listed as the 3rd string QB, and the least likely to win the job. Somehow, he was able to beat out Matt Casell, and the rest is history. Leinert would go on to become the greatest QB in PAC-10 history. Lane Kiffen had a great hand in his development.
After the 2005 season, USC lost everything to the NFL draft, including the OC Norm Chow to Tennessee. Lane Kiffen took over as the OC. Gone were the QB, both RB's, the FB, the TE, and three of the offensive linemen. All gone on to the NFL. This was an enormous undertaking for Kiffen. The 1st thing that went wrong were that the top three returning FB's were knocked out for the year. USC had to rely on freshmen RB's and a freshmen (converted to) FB in Allen Bradford. The FB position in the West Coast offense is extremely important. Kiffen did a great job until the final regular season game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. In that game, which would have sent USC to the BCS NC game had they won, the DE's (both All PAC 10) of UCLA were not able to be blocked by our interior linemen. Our freshmen FB could not pick up the assignment's - and UCLA spent the entire afternoon in USC's backfield. Kiffen made the mistake of trying to pass the ball over and over again. JD Booty had no time to throw the ball. Dwayne Jarret and Steve Smith could not even get into their routes before Booty was forced to flee or be sacked. Kiffen refused to pound the rock up the middle on this defense. He was convinced that we were gonna get a "Big Play" or two. It never happened. We lost that game by a score of 13-9. It was one of the most hard-headed, stubborn, acts of play calling that I have ever witnessed. That did cost us a shot at a National Championship. In the following game, the 2007 Rose Bowl, Kiffen would call a game plan that would go out and annihilate a Michigan defense that had been ranked # 2 in the country at the time. Shortly afterward - the Oakland Raiders would come calling.
Lane Kiffen was turning the corner with Oakland. He had made the team into something that was at least competitive. At least they were in most games until the 4th quarter. That hadn't happened prior to Kiffen. Oakland went back to what they usually do, getting blown out by New Orleans 34-3, immediately after Kiffen was let go. The main source of the problem was that Kiffen didn't agree with Al Davis on anything. This in and of itself, puts him on the same footing, as John Gruden and Mike Shanahan. Kiffen did not want JaMarcus Russell. Russell was not his kind of QB. Kiffen wanted Adrian Peterson instead. What would Oakland had bveen like this year with Peterson at RB and Matt Ryan taking the snaps? That would have been more to Kiffen's liking. Nevertheless, he did not agree with any of Al Davis' personnel moves either. Al Davis is a complete moron and everybody knows that. He should have just gotten out of Kiffen's way and let him run the team. Kiffen probably forced Davis' hand and really isn't too bothered about it. He came out smelling like a rose.
All that said, Kiffen is a great recruiter from a professional football background, who is tough and does not back down. He is a great developer of young QB's - including JD Booty and Mark Sanchez. He's probably very adequate as a play caller (although that UCLA loss will forever burn my brain) and fully understands what to do, to turn a struggling program, into a National Championship type of program. Of course with the recruiting base, it was much easier done at Southern Cal, but the guy certainly knows what extremely talented players look like. That's what I know.
So you don't exactly come out and say it, but I guess you think Clemson would do well to hire Kiffin as head coach (UCLA upset and all), right?
By the way, I watched that UCLA upset. It was an exciting game. But since I didn't have a dog in the fight, I don't remember who did what right or wrong.
I feel recharged...
That's it. Chin up. One foot in front of the other. Move forward. The great thing about this blog, is that most everybody on here, supports a great football program. We're all gonna lose one here or there - but we're all gonna be able to talk shit forever. Fire away!
Don'r recruit kids who are so full of their own press clippings. And don't recruit kids whose parents feed their kids' egos.
Just think about this . . . next year you'll see Les Miles recruits all over the field. Oh God! I can't wait!
http://www.thestate.com/gogamecocks/story/56209...
http://rivals100.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year...
So, he's switching so he can play. That makes sense. We are fine in that department. That's really not much concern for us right now.
That'll be bad if he leaves, because he should be a Tiger, but it's all for the greater good.