The Bowden semantics, plus coaching candidates
Here is why Clemson can get by with phrasing Tommy Bowden’s departure as a separation of ways.
Apparently athletic director Terry Don Phillips informed Bowden this morning he would not be retained at season’s end, but could coach out the rest of the season.
Bowden, as you can now see, wasn’t too keen on the idea. Presuming you’re a lame-duck is one thing; knowing it (and others knowing it for sure) is quite another.
I’ve heard that Bowden has agreed to a $2.5 million buyout by leaving now, but I have yet to get that confirmed.
Bowden is actually going to be at the 5:15 p.m. press conference, but he is only going to read a statement, then leave.
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Take this for what it’s worth, because by all indications, this is a legit audition for interim coach Dabo Swinney, but a few names on Clemson’s radar:
TCU coach Gary Patterson. Might not be the splashy hire, but Phillips thinks highly of him, and Patterson is interested, from what I’ve been told. This seed has been planted for awhile.
Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. See a recurring southwestern theme here, tracing to Phillips’ ties from being Oklahoma State’s AD? The irony is, Bowden wanted to hire as his coordinator three-plus seasons ago, but Muschamp turned down the opportunity, so the Tigers went with Vic Koenning. Muschamp was a GA under Bowden at Auburn.
Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe. Grobe might be at the top of the list, for all I know. But I’m not so sure Grobe is/has reciprocated Phillips’ interest.
Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson. Quite frankly, I’m not sold Johnson is the right fit. But he certainly fits the profile of what president James Barker wants in a coach. And I don’t think that can be discounted quite yet.
31 Comments to “The Bowden semantics, plus coaching candidates”
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Clemson Beat writer Paul Strelow blogs about Clemson University athletics.
The candidates you have ID’d are all very good coaches. I thought Tommy Bowden’s team would be as good as their O-line development. Brad Scott should have been relieved of his duties as well b/c the O-line carries much of the blame for Clemson’s putrid and offensive performance. Geraldo
We want Mushamp!
What about Lane Kiffin?
Please have that idiot Harper apologize for his classless comments about Bowden. I hope he never sees another snap!
Brian, you gotta be kidding. Harper’s comments were appropriate, on point, and not defamatory in any way. Bowden has tossed Harper, Mike O’Cain, Aaron Hunt, and countless others under the bus. Harper has a right to defend himself and speak candidly of the situation. Here’s what classless: Bowden going 3-3 and giving the public impression that the responsibility for such a record lies with his twenty-two year old quarterback. Here’s what classless: having an Special Teams squad of whom you are the sole coach that performs, by all accounts, below par and then blame the problem on the kicker’s timing. Here’s what’s classless: reaching short of expectations and then blaming your offensive coordinator for shortcomings when, in fact, you, the head coach, routinely trumped the poor chap. I suppose you think Harper should just take it, not say a thing, and be a crashing wus when thrown under the bus.
I have been a Bowden supporter since he came to Clemson. He was just unable to get it done and I am ready for a change. Clemson will find a better coach, but I doubt a better man.
Harpers remarks make me sick. For his father to say that Harper has played well this year is a joke! Harper you are classless and I hope your last snap at Clemson was at Wake Forest.
Willie Korn is the future, just please no “Bubble screens”. I can’t take it anymore.
Harper and his dad should also be fired! Anyone who has been at the Clemson games can see that Harper has played with no enthusiasm or passion, and has provided absolutely no leadership. It seems like he has been just playing out the season and trying not to get hurt. Bowden’s mistake was in not benching him earlier. Any other player at any other position would have been benched earlier. Harper’s dad says Bowden threw Harper under the bus. It looks like its Harper who’s throwing Bowden under the bus. The worst problem with Harper is he doesn’t even seem to understand how poorly he has played. Does he honestly think some NFL team is going to draft him? I agree with the fan who never wants to see him take another snap for Clemson.
I have a buddy who sells real estate. He said Spurrier bought a house on Lake hartwell today!!!!!
I am with you on Harper. He sounds like a kid plan and simple. He is just mad at getting benched. He should be taking some of the credit for this, he has not preformed like he has in the past. I mean look at some of the reads and throws he has made. I wish Harper the best of luck and hope he grows up a little, after all he is in his early 20′s I know I said and did some dumb things when I was that age.
if a broker had just recklessly wasted $4 million of mine in stupid investments a few months ago, i would have to be very simple-minded to give him what little money i have left to invest.
considering the mess, and the leadership at clemson, i don’t see this thing turning out very well anytime soon.
Offensive guru – Norm Chow?
I think the focus right now should be on beating GT. Sure TDP can scout for a coach, but he needs to give Coach Swinney his full support and at least make it appear he has a fair shot at the job. I think the shameful thing now is who starts under center on Saturday. It’s a shame this QB can of worms forcing these two great young QBs to be at odds with each other when it wasn’t their fault to begin with. GO Tigers!!!!
why not go after major applewhite of texas.
I have had an opinion on a new head coach to replace Coach Bowden since UGa 2003. However, I listened to Dabo tonight and was impressed. I think Dabo, his players, and his new staff deserve our undivided support in this new season.
Unfortunate the way this played out, from hero to zero in ten years? Many division 1 schools would have loved to post the accomplishments that Tommy’s Tigers did, heck just look at the middle of the state? Timing was not good, but the Tigers will roll on. Shows potential recruits that Clemson is serious when it comes to reaching goals. If they are serious, its time to break open the check book and hire a proven winner.
Bowden was a good man, and a fine coach. Hope we do not second guess ourselves down the road. As far as the players comments, other than positive, they should keep their mouths shut.
I think it is premature to argue over a replacment for coach Bowden when the wound is still fresh. I also have no respect for the powers that be at Clemson right now after Coach Bowdens long history of success they throw him to the side like nothing. I think it was very disrespectfull of the university to end things mid season and just hope Coach Bowden lands on his feet in a better postion than what he has now been pushed to say goodbye too some of us still have a little thing called loyality but after Coach Danny Ford i geuss we all now know that Clemson University donest remeber loyality just did we win this week?
As a UGa grad, I was awfully sorry to see Jeff’s son making those comments about Coach Bowden. I realize that he was hurting, and not an idiot, but Coach Dooley taught his players to face adversity with class. Obviously, Jeff has not passed that on to his son. Although Buck Belue has been standing by the side of his teamate on his ATL radio show, it still does not disguise Cullen’s lack of maturity. Jeff, you will always be rembered as a player carrying Coach D . off the field on your shoulder after the 1981 Notre Dame Sugar Bowl win, in the new statue in the Dooley tribute in Athens. Please tell your son to shut the he– up, and go kick Willy Korns’ as$, get his job back and get plenty of snaps in the future , and most of all beat the nerds this week!
bill cowher formerly of the steelers. but only if you really want a team.
how about rich rodriguez? he has ties to clemson and if things continue to slide at michigan, maybe he’d be receptive to a move back there. it’d cost clemson some big nick saban-like bucks to move rodriguez out of ann arbor, though, and clemson would probably have to pay his buy-out up front. and there would be a year or two of wheel-spinning before things started to click, but in the long run, why not make a run at him?
I had to really question the stupid use of time outs in the Wake game,just did not make sense.He is a good man,but not a good coach,but they should have waited until the last game to sever ties with him.You can be just like your dad sometimes but not always match his skills.They probably should have let him go to Arkansas last year,think of the money saved,and recruits and record thay could have now.
did anybody see or hear the comments Tim Tebow made after the Florida vs. OLe miss game? He took personal responsibility for the teams failure to win and that he would do his best never to let his team do that again. They came out like gangbusters and destroyed LSU that is somebody I want to lead my team not Cullen Harper a crybaby who just doesnt perform then blames everybody else but himself.
I for one am diggin the new Clemson-to-USC recruit pipeline.
I just do not understand what is going on at Clemson. I am a Gamecock fan and we would love ot have had the record that Clemson has had over the last few years. Clemson went 9-4 last year (remember Ken Hatfield) and they get rid of him. I think that the fans expectations have been too high. One lucky national championship in the 80′s and they think they are a national powerhouse? In the ACC? Come on guys. Get over it. I think that it is terrible. What a waste of money.
Coach Bowden is a good man. Who does Clemson think they can hire that is better? Go GT.
I think that Bowden did the school a favor by stepping down today. It will allow the team to play out its remaining games without the pressure that would have had accompanied them had he been there. Also it allows any recruits who were on the fence to decide before his firing at season’s end. I was disappointed to hear the Qb Harper, who was benched, speech out about it. And i would hate to think that a 21 or 22 year old would have any influence on Tommy’s job. As a gamecock fan I am glad to see him go. Although I have always thought highly of him, and wish him the best of luck at his next school. Trust me, he will get another job at a big school.
I am one stuck in the middle here, this is going to hurt the recruiting in my opinion, but I could be wrong. On Friday Bowden made a good call when he said Willy Korn would start, Harper you have played your worse ball all year and Bowden Stuck by you as long as he could, any other Coach would have benched you after the second game . You make the old saying very true Blind Hogs Find good food once in awhile and yours was last year.
Some folks have obviously forgotten the big check$ written in the winter for tix/IPTAY this year. I looked down at my $50 ticket stub from WF and shook my head, ‘Bama $85. for club level. Add the extra thousands to remain status quo from last year. This is a BUSINESS. Think of all the times you have grumbled about game times – to accommodate TV revenue. Tommy is a fine man and a mediocre coach. Those 70+ wins ? Over 20 of them to Div II schools and 3-5 in those 8 glorious bowl games. I agree with it being a mid-year disruption – but in the real world none of us would get the opportunity to (1) get a raise/bonus to get us over the hump; we would get it when we had gotten over it and (2) would not get the opportunity to work out the year if we didn’t perform.
As far as Harper – surprising, disappointed and his dad perpetuates it with his head-in-the-sand comments about his son’s play. They both need a reality check. It doesn’t take a genious to see his lack of toughness and that he’s hurt – running out of bounds to avoid a hit, sliding 4 yards before a first down, passes sailing over receivers’ heads. He’s caught the Charlie Whitehurst syndrome – ‘let’s make sure we preserve ourselves for a potentail pro career’. Cullen, watch Charlie – taking a few more hits wouldn’t have hurt his ability to wear headphones and carry a clipboard.
I think/hope Dabo brings some energy and cohesiveness back to the team.
Good riddance for Spence too. Brad Scott needs to be next.
As far as the recruits – perhaps we will gain some we may have lost because of Bowden. It could work both ways.
Being bowl eligable every year and beating Carolina almost every year and the guy still gets the ax!
As a Gamecock fan I can only dream of results like that. It just shows how different the mindset is in schools with winning traditions and ones with losing traditions. Just curious, what on earth has Brad Scott accomplished lately to keep him from getting canned?
How about Bill Cowher?
Harper was pissed because TB did not have the class to tell him, he found out by a phone message. Willy on the internet. Entire scenario was to take blame off of TB as he has always done. Water under the bridge.
Anybody want to give Dabo a chance? If not, how about Major Applewhite?
Clemson can get anybody they want as long as they leave frank beamer and bud foster alone!