No mention of McCain or Obama here. With another bye week in October (good job schedulers), we'll briefly discuss the eligible candidates for the Clemson head coaching position. Here goes:
1. Dabo Swinney, Interim Head Coach, Clemson
Pros
Has served on Clemson staff for the past six seasons; recruited many of the current players; will get a chance to rally the team over the remainder of this season.
Cons
No previous head coaching experience; not a "name" guy; reputation riding on this season's finish
2. Will Muschamp, Defensive Coordinator, Texas
Pros
In-your-face personality and superior motivator; has been known to bleed on players (seriously); has recruited in the South for both Texas and Auburn
Cons
No previous head coaching experience; will be a hot commodity in the offseason, especially if Texas wins National Championship
3. Lane Kiffin, ex-Oakland Raiders Head Coach
Pros
Served as offensive coordinator for high-powered USC teams; young and has a positive personality
Cons
Fired as Oakland head coach after 1+ seasons; very hot commodity on market; already mentioned for opening at Washington
4. Bill Cowher, ex-Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach
Pros
Super Bowl winning coach; greatest chin ever; lives in the South; would make all of my dreams come true
Cons
Just wishful thinking here. Clemson isn't going to pony up $5 million per year to get him.
That's just a few of the candidates in what is sure to be an extensive coaching search for Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips. The rumor mill is already circulating and things should begin to clear up following the season's conclusion on Thanksgiving weekend. It remains to be seen what other high-profile jobs will be open and what coaches will be available. Without a doubt, it is shaping up to be a wild offseason in Tiger Country.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The More Things Change . . .
This past Saturday marked the first game in the post Tommy Bowden era for the Clemson Tigers. Interim head coach Dabo Sweeney promised big changes both on and off the field and delivered mixed results at best against visiting rival Georgia Tech.
The Different
Sweeney's biggest changes probably came before the game even started by instituting the "Tiger Walk," a player procession from the athletic training facility just outside the stadium over to the team locker room. Fans lined to streets to cheer on the team and hopefully unify the students/alumni and players. Before kickoff, Sweeney stood at the top of The Hill, kissed the rock, and charged down onto the field with his team in tow. It was easily the most fired up a coach has been at Clemson in the past ten years. It was refreshing to see the head coach act as a leader and not standing off to the side planning his family jet ski trip for later that afternoon. On offense, Clemson pulled just about every play out of the bag. There were deep passes, reverses, options, some I-formation, spread formation, etc. You have to at least give Sweeney and co-offensive coordinator Billy Napier credit for trying. The "Chosen One," redshirt freshman Willy Korn, also made his first start ever at quarterback.
The Same
Unfortunately, a much different philosophy delivered the same result, as Clemson dropped its third straight conference game. The offensive line is so atrocious it makes me want to puke. They continue to open zero holes for running backs and barely allow the quarterback time to turn his head around before having to evade the pass rush. The Korn era was over almost before it began, as he was knocked out of the game on just the third series with a bruised shoulder when a Tech defender slammed into his arm mid-throw. Even with Korn, the offense sputtered to make any first downs. Cullen Harper relieved Korn, and threw two second-half TDs to Aaron Kelly (who the coaches finally remembered they had). Every other drive seemingly ended in a turnover, of which Clemson committed six. The most inexplicable one had to be the reverse option pass thrown by senior receiver Tyler Grisham. Grishman was all but tackled when he made the unconscionable mistake of trying to complete the trick play anyway, only to toss the ball right to a Tech defender who returned it for a TD. The defense again kept the Tigers in the game despite all of the offensive miscues. However, Vic Koenning's refusal to blitz on 3rd down and long continues to result in back-breaking conversions and big plays for the opponent. Tech scored a touchdown on a 3rd an 18 when a receiver was left unguarded on the sideline in Koenning's zone defense and converted a 3rd and 16 with a simple run up an empty middle of the line that led to their other touchdown.
At the end of the day there was still optimism about the future of the program, and Sweeney will get at least five more games to prove he is the man for the job. He may have to win every one to convince the school administration of that. The Tigers will have another bye week to regroup and come up with a better offensive game plan before heading on the road to face Boston College and Florida Stage.
The Different
Sweeney's biggest changes probably came before the game even started by instituting the "Tiger Walk," a player procession from the athletic training facility just outside the stadium over to the team locker room. Fans lined to streets to cheer on the team and hopefully unify the students/alumni and players. Before kickoff, Sweeney stood at the top of The Hill, kissed the rock, and charged down onto the field with his team in tow. It was easily the most fired up a coach has been at Clemson in the past ten years. It was refreshing to see the head coach act as a leader and not standing off to the side planning his family jet ski trip for later that afternoon. On offense, Clemson pulled just about every play out of the bag. There were deep passes, reverses, options, some I-formation, spread formation, etc. You have to at least give Sweeney and co-offensive coordinator Billy Napier credit for trying. The "Chosen One," redshirt freshman Willy Korn, also made his first start ever at quarterback.
The Same
Unfortunately, a much different philosophy delivered the same result, as Clemson dropped its third straight conference game. The offensive line is so atrocious it makes me want to puke. They continue to open zero holes for running backs and barely allow the quarterback time to turn his head around before having to evade the pass rush. The Korn era was over almost before it began, as he was knocked out of the game on just the third series with a bruised shoulder when a Tech defender slammed into his arm mid-throw. Even with Korn, the offense sputtered to make any first downs. Cullen Harper relieved Korn, and threw two second-half TDs to Aaron Kelly (who the coaches finally remembered they had). Every other drive seemingly ended in a turnover, of which Clemson committed six. The most inexplicable one had to be the reverse option pass thrown by senior receiver Tyler Grisham. Grishman was all but tackled when he made the unconscionable mistake of trying to complete the trick play anyway, only to toss the ball right to a Tech defender who returned it for a TD. The defense again kept the Tigers in the game despite all of the offensive miscues. However, Vic Koenning's refusal to blitz on 3rd down and long continues to result in back-breaking conversions and big plays for the opponent. Tech scored a touchdown on a 3rd an 18 when a receiver was left unguarded on the sideline in Koenning's zone defense and converted a 3rd and 16 with a simple run up an empty middle of the line that led to their other touchdown.
At the end of the day there was still optimism about the future of the program, and Sweeney will get at least five more games to prove he is the man for the job. He may have to win every one to convince the school administration of that. The Tigers will have another bye week to regroup and come up with a better offensive game plan before heading on the road to face Boston College and Florida Stage.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Bonus Post: Bowden Fired!
In a special bonus post this week, I'm pleased to finally report the termination of head coach Tommy Bowden. Over the years, Bowden has seemingly had more lives than Rasputin, pulling out job-saving victories over highly ranked opponents time and again. One too many losses against clearly inferior teams finally proved to be his undoing, as Bowden and Clemson came to agreement to end their relationship during his 10th season. This morning, Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips issued an ultimatium that the Tigers win the ACC Atlantic Division. As soon as that was no longer mathematically possible, Bowden would be released from his contract. Tommy thought about this challenge and ultimately decided that it would be best to end his association with Clemson now under his own terms.
Make no mistake, Bowden has done a lot for Clemson. He took an ACC also-ran team and elevated into the occasional Top 25 appearance and qualified for a bowl game in all nine full seasons (Clemson refused all bowl invitations in 2005 after a season-ending brawl with rival South Carolina). Bowden also ran a relatively clean program and graduated players at one of the highest rates of all FCS schools. There is no doubt that Bowden leaves Clemson as a much better place than when he arrived. However, it was clear he had lost control of the team and comments from current players C.J. Spiller and Cullen Harper indicated as much.
For the remainder of the season, it will be up to former WR coach Dabo Sweeny to rally the team around Willy Korn and salvage a bowl appearance. Sweeny has been named the head coach on an interim basis, and it remains to be seen who the permanent replacement will be. Offensive coordinator Rob Spence was also (thankfully) relieved of his duties. For the first time in a while, there is optimism about the long-term future of Clemson football. For Tiger fans, October 13, 2008 will always be Bowden Liberation Day.
Make no mistake, Bowden has done a lot for Clemson. He took an ACC also-ran team and elevated into the occasional Top 25 appearance and qualified for a bowl game in all nine full seasons (Clemson refused all bowl invitations in 2005 after a season-ending brawl with rival South Carolina). Bowden also ran a relatively clean program and graduated players at one of the highest rates of all FCS schools. There is no doubt that Bowden leaves Clemson as a much better place than when he arrived. However, it was clear he had lost control of the team and comments from current players C.J. Spiller and Cullen Harper indicated as much.
For the remainder of the season, it will be up to former WR coach Dabo Sweeny to rally the team around Willy Korn and salvage a bowl appearance. Sweeny has been named the head coach on an interim basis, and it remains to be seen who the permanent replacement will be. Offensive coordinator Rob Spence was also (thankfully) relieved of his duties. For the first time in a while, there is optimism about the long-term future of Clemson football. For Tiger fans, October 13, 2008 will always be Bowden Liberation Day.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Last Straw
Well that sure sucked. For the second time this season, the Clemson Tigers laid an egg on national television. This time, it was one of the worst offensive performances in recent memory against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Thursday night. Despite posting negative yards after the first quarter (How is that possible?), the Tigers were actually in position to win the game after one good scoring drive put them up 7-6 going into the fourth quarter. After standing strong all game, the Clemson defense could not put the game away, allowing Wake to convert a 3rd and 24 from the shadow of its own goal line. The conversion changed the momentum of the game and sparked a drive that would lead to the go-ahead touchdown. Struggling Quarterback Cullen Harper (now his official name), again failed to come through at the end of the game, and the Tigers dropped their third contest of the season. The team is now a disgraceful 1-3 against FCS opponents after being a near-unanimous pick to win the ACC.
On the bright side, this might have finally been the straw that broke the camel's back regarding Tommy Bowden's career at Clemson. Based on the Internet chatter over the weekend, the Board of Trustees and Athletic Department may finally be fed up with Bowden's underachieving. Rumors of secret meetings to discuss Bowden's future were flying around Clemson, SC this weekend. Chat rooms and message boards were flooded with speculations of when Bowden and offensive coordinator Rob Spence would be terminated and who would be their respective replacements. In a last-ditch attempt to save his job, Bowden has named redshirt freshmen quarterback Willy Korn as the start for next week. Looks like it will be too little too late.
Next week's game kicks off at noon (woo hoo!) against conference foe Georgia Tech in Death Valley. At least Clemson still knows how to tailgate.
On the bright side, this might have finally been the straw that broke the camel's back regarding Tommy Bowden's career at Clemson. Based on the Internet chatter over the weekend, the Board of Trustees and Athletic Department may finally be fed up with Bowden's underachieving. Rumors of secret meetings to discuss Bowden's future were flying around Clemson, SC this weekend. Chat rooms and message boards were flooded with speculations of when Bowden and offensive coordinator Rob Spence would be terminated and who would be their respective replacements. In a last-ditch attempt to save his job, Bowden has named redshirt freshmen quarterback Willy Korn as the start for next week. Looks like it will be too little too late.
Next week's game kicks off at noon (woo hoo!) against conference foe Georgia Tech in Death Valley. At least Clemson still knows how to tailgate.
Monday, October 6, 2008
BCS Mess
Clemson is on bye this week so we're safe from a loss at least until Thursday against Wake Forest. Let's take this opportunity to discuss the current college football landscape.
Now six weeks into the season, it appears we're headed for another BCS mess. There have been a multitude of upsets, especially last week when powerhouses such as USC, Florida, and Georgia all went down. Currently, only one team (Oklahoma) remains in the top 5 in the polls from preseason. The BCS Championship Game is likely to come down to the survivors of the SEC and Big 12 conferences. These two conferences seem to be head and shoulders above the rest, with the Big 10 and Pac 10 as the second tier and the ACC and Big East looking like junior varsity squads in many games. The Big 12 winner will likely come from a group consisting of Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. One of those teams may be eliminated this week as OU and UT face off in the Red River Shootout in Dallas. The SEC seems to produce a "Gameday worthy" matchup every week. Still to come are Georga/Florida, LSU/Florida, Alabama/LSU, and a host of other tough conference games.
More than likely, no team from a BCS conference will finish unbeaten. The participants in the championship game, as with last year, will likely be determined by a series of computers that will deliver a controversial result. For all the complaints about the BCS, it is important to mention that it is still light years better than the old system that simply sent each conference winner to a predetermined bowl. At least now we get our No. 1 versus No. 2 game, even if those teams may not exactly deserve it.
Now six weeks into the season, it appears we're headed for another BCS mess. There have been a multitude of upsets, especially last week when powerhouses such as USC, Florida, and Georgia all went down. Currently, only one team (Oklahoma) remains in the top 5 in the polls from preseason. The BCS Championship Game is likely to come down to the survivors of the SEC and Big 12 conferences. These two conferences seem to be head and shoulders above the rest, with the Big 10 and Pac 10 as the second tier and the ACC and Big East looking like junior varsity squads in many games. The Big 12 winner will likely come from a group consisting of Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. One of those teams may be eliminated this week as OU and UT face off in the Red River Shootout in Dallas. The SEC seems to produce a "Gameday worthy" matchup every week. Still to come are Georga/Florida, LSU/Florida, Alabama/LSU, and a host of other tough conference games.
More than likely, no team from a BCS conference will finish unbeaten. The participants in the championship game, as with last year, will likely be determined by a series of computers that will deliver a controversial result. For all the complaints about the BCS, it is important to mention that it is still light years better than the old system that simply sent each conference winner to a predetermined bowl. At least now we get our No. 1 versus No. 2 game, even if those teams may not exactly deserve it.
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