Reaction from the Parker announcement
Here’s what all the involved parties had to say after Monday’s practice when redshirt freshman Kyle Parker was tabbed the starter over redshirt sophomore Willy Korn for the Sept. 5 opener against Middle Tennessee:
DABO SWINNEY
I met with all the quarterbacks last night … based on where we are right now, there has been some separation between Kyle and Willy. And so, at this point, we felt it was important for us to start building that continuity that we need. Center-quarterback exchange, procedures, things like that.
So we named Kyle Parker the starter last night. And of course he’s excited about that. Met with Willy and had a great meeting. It’s very important that everybody understands how hard this young man has worked. He’s worked his tail off from this spring and through the summer to have the opportunity to compete. Nobody’s worked harder than Willy Korn, that’s for sure. Really appreciate how he handled a difficult thing.
The thing I assured Willy is he deserves to play. And that he will have the opportunity to play. My plan is to play him every game and allow him to compete.
You know, it’s not a situation where Kyle is looking over his shoulder. He’s the starter. And it’s very clear at this point he’s the starter.
But at the same time, I think Willy brings some unique intangibles to the quarterback situation, and the bottom line is he deserves the opportunity to play. I think that was the biggest thing with Willy, that he knows mentally he will have the chance to compete.
As I told both of those guys – and had it been Willy named the starter, I would have felt the same way for Kyle – this is a situation where we’re making a decision, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a final decision forever. You have to go compete and be productive, that’s the bottom line. But we have to start honing in now on who we’re coaching, who we’re investing our time into coaching, and getting ready to play. I do think it will help us from a continuity standpoint.
If it was real, real, real close, we wouldn’t be doing this right now. But there is some separation, so we felt it was the right time to go ahead and start getting Kyle the first-team reps and let’s get Willy the second-team reps and let’s get ready to play.
As we all know in college football, anything can happen at any time. I don’t think Willy Korn is going to stop competing for any stretch of the imagination. So I like our situation there.
Q: When did you know for sure Parker was the guy?
A: Probably the last week or so, that there was some separation. But again, really glad I didn’t make a decision earlier because I thought Willy Korn had a great week of practice last week and has improved his game big-time from where he was in the spring. But Kyle has too.
This has been a decision where we’ve put a lot of eyes on this thing and have charted everything from spring ball all the way to now. Right now, Kyle Parker just gives the best chance to win and the most explosive player at that position.
Q: So you didn’t have a specific timetable you planned to make this decision?
A: No, no, never had that. In fact, coming into this fall camp, I didn’t know when it would be.
But it’s one of those things, when the apple’s ripe, you pick it. It was obvious to us as a coaching staff there was separation, and that’s what we needed to do.
Q: Why did you feel compelled to assure Korn of playing time?
A: Because we have no experience at quarterback, number one. Zero. And he deserves to play. That’s the bottom line. You have starters at a lot of positions that are clearly the starter, but that doesn’t mean the backup doesn’t deserve to play. Heck, I wasn’t a starter, but I deserved to play and had a role. I think that’s the same thing at every position.
As I’ve said many times, I didn’t know if it was going to be clear cut. And it if wasn’t, they’d both play.
KYLE PARKER
Q: Does this announcement change anything for you?
A: Yeah, a little bit. I feel a little bit less pressure and can focus now toward the games and not have to worry about winning in practice every day. I’m excited and looking forward to the next step.
Q: How were you informed?
A: Coach Swinney pulled me and Willy and Mike and Tajh in and told us what was going on. I was relieved, but coming out today, it was going back to work. I don’t think I’ve really accomplished anything yet. It’s great, and I’m blessed to have this opportunity, but I still have to perform on the field.
Q: Does it change your mindset now that you’re “the guy?â€
A: It really doesn’t. I still have to come out every day and get better, work on the little things. I’m still going to come out here and work hard and prepare just as hard as I was.
Q: What did coach Swinney say he based the decision on?
A: He liked how I was picking up the offense and making plays and stuff along that line. He just thought it was best for the team. And I agreed with him.
Q: Rewarding knowing you beat out some good competition?
A: It is. It was a fair competition and went for a long time. Everyone put their best foot forward. At the end of the day I feel good about it.
WILLY KORN
Q: How did you hear the news?
A: We met individually with coach Swinney last night after our team meeting. He took turns talking to us one-on-one and told us Kyle was going to be named the starter.
He said I was guaranteed to play in every single game, and that’s really the only thing I was looking for – just making sure I was going to get an opportunity to play and still prove myself.
He reiterated to us that just because Kyle is starting the first game doesn’t mean he’s going to start every single game.
So I’ve got a good attitude, a good positive outlook about it, and I’m getting my opportunity. So that’s all I can really ask for.
Q: Were you disappointed, or were you content with your defined role?
A: I kind of a had a feeling, pretty much, since the first week, that this was how it was going to happen and Kyle was going to be named the starter. It’s just how things fell. I was still getting reps, but in the back of my head, I just kind of felt Kyle was going to get named the starter.
It was fine by me. I was just going to make sure I was guaranteed I was going to play. And coach Swinney said to my face that he’s guaranteeing me I’m playing in every single game. And like I said, you can’t be too disappointed about that.
Q: Does this change your Saturday approach? Do you try to do something outside yourself to maybe try to prove you deserve more playing time?
A: No way. You definitely don’t want to press at all. I don’t want to try to be more than what I am. I’ve just got to continue to do what I’m doing. I’ve been very productive in practices and in scrimmages. I’m going to get to play. I’m going to get my opportunity.
The wrong thing to do would be trying to press and trying to do more than what I’m capable of doing. I’ve just got to be me and continue to have a good attitude about it and hope things work out.
Q: What do you think led to that feeling the first week of practice?
A: Just early on, the first two practices, you know, I didn’t practice really well, so Kyle started getting more and more reps with the ones. And as I got better early on, it went back to more even, rep-wise.
I don’t know. It was just kind of a gut feeling I had, you know.
Q: What do you think separates you two right now?
A: I don’t know. You’d have to ask coach Napier, coach Swinney. They’d probably give you a better answer.
Q: Do you see separation?
A: I feel like I’m good enough to start for the team, I’ll tell you that. But that was their decision to make.
Q: So, you think it happened early in camp?
A: The first two days I didn’t practice that well, but I don’t think the first two days are that important where he could jump that far ahead of me. I don’t think the coaches think he’s that far ahead of me. I’m right there.
Q: Overall, do you then feel like this camp has been a progression or regression?
A: I really don’t see how I could be any further along. I really feel like I’m throwing the ball the best I ever have, I really, truly believe that. It’s by far the best camp I’ve had, throwing the ball with zip, accuracy, getting the ball downfield, making good decisions.
I feel really comfortable with where I’m at. I just have to keep the same attitude every day.
BILLY NAPIER, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Q: What was the decision based on?
A: Really just the consistent play as far as productivity practice in, practice out. Making the routine play, and then Kyle has made some spectacular plays over spring practice and preseason camp. We feel like play in and play out, he may give us a few more things.
At the same time, I want to make sure everybody understands the attitude and whole demeanor of Willy Korn and the whole impact he’s going to have on our team, not only as a player but a leader. He’s a well-respected guy and a class act on and off the field. Really excited to coach that group and see how each guy is going to impact our chance to win football games.
Q: How difficult a decision was it?
A: Very difficult. Any time you look two young men in the eyes who’s just battled their butt off and poured their heart and soul into an opportunity to be the starter, it’s tough to tell one of them that he’s going to be in the second role. Obviously Willy’s going to get an opportunity to play in every game and he’s going to be a contributor. I think he’s very well-respected among his team and this coaching staff. He does things that can help us win as a player and as a leader.
Q: How does naming a starter change their preparation during practice in terms of reps?
A: Probably the most specific thing is the third guy, his reps go way down. For him to play, you have to have two guys hurt, and that hasn’t happened in a long time. The most important thing for us reducing the third guy’s reps and making sure the first guy gets the continuity of the majority of the reps with the first group, first line and first receivers.
Q: Relieved to move past the QB storyline?
A: It’s great to know you’re going to have two quarterbacks playing. One guy’s the starter, another’s a contributor. Willy Korn is one of the most impressive people I’ve met in my whole life. I’m excited he’s going to get to run out there and play in Death Valley each game. But at the same time, I think it’s important for people to know Kyle Parker has earned the opportunity to be the starter. He just displayed a little bit more from arm strength to explosive potential.
25 Comments to “Reaction from the Parker announcement”
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Clemson Beat writer Paul Strelow blogs about Clemson University athletics.
What crap! This program has dealt from the bottom of the deck to Willy from the beginning. Talking him into enrolling early with the promise of an early start a then basically throwing him a bone for two years was just one example of their underhanded tactics. Of course it didn’t help to have a tumultuous coaching change and end up with a coach with something to prove with one of his own recruits. The whole thing smells like a four day old road kill in the summer. This is just one person’s opinion.
I think the Clemson players, coaches, and fans should be happy with this decision. If the second string guy is good enough and shows the moxy to practice better than the projected starter then he deserves it. I don’t think that ANY player “deserves” to be on the starting squad no matter of their past perfomance. The coaches are in the position of deciding who is going to give their team the best chance to win and the coaches clearly feel that Kyle Parker is their best option. KP was mentally impressive in playing Baseball for the Tigers so hopefully he can translate that onto the football field. I also think it was smart to go ahead and hang your hat with a starter so that QB can begin taking the necessary reps with the first team before September game time.
The only thing I don’t agree with in this whole situation is the fact that the Head Coach and the Offensive Coordinator “Promised” Korn playing time in every single game. I don’t think a coach should ever do this. There are a lot of things that can happen throughout the year and promising a player playing time in “EVERY” game is ridiculous in my opinion.
Either way, the offensive line and receivers are the real issue for this team.
Good Luck to all, unless your playing the CU Tigers!
actually everyone gets a chance at an early shot if you can prove yourself, and apparently Willy hasn’t. Dabo is a smart coach and has the experience to make good decisions. There still really is no starter yet permanently i mean someone has to walk out on the field to start out a game and if Kyle is the guy to start out with why not its the best for the team.
In response to Sarah, you are right, Korn probably has been promised some things that have not been delivered. But as Clemson fans, we want the player who has the best chance to win the game starting. Since we weren’t at practice, we have to hope the coach knows what he is doing. If he is wrong, we will probably say he is as stupid as Steve Spurrier. But, Korn is still getting a free education, he still gets to run down that Hill, things that thousands of young men would love to do, and he will probably contribute to the wins on the field in a big way.
Taters correct on this one Sara. Clemson coaches have given W Korn every chance to step up and be the starter. He hasnt been able to it thus far. I remember being so excited cuz “W. Korn was gonna be a Tiger”, lets be honest, he hasnt lived up to the billing. He couldnt beat C. Harper, when everyone thought he would, why is it a surprise he cant beat out Parker? W. Korn knows he doesnt deserve to be the starter, and for now , is saying all the right things. Tajh Boyd didnt come to Clemson to sit bench either, so sit back and relax, enjoy the ride. Go tigerz Go!
I think willy deserves the starting position because he has gotten a raw deal the whole time he’s been at Clemson. He should have started every game last year over sorry a** Cullen Harper. If that were the case we wouldn’t have the 2 qb’s fighting for it. Anyway if the competition was that close I think something other than football played a role in the final decision.
Great Blog!
Sarah, one of Dabo’s first moves when he was made interim coach was to start Willy and bench Harper. Then, Willy got hurt before he could show us anything.
Things change, I want the best player for the job. I sucks that isn’t Willy because he has worked really hard, but that is a cruel reality of life.
Sometimes all the hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment won’t earn you that promotion . . . of course, a change in companies might.
Their education is not free. They work their backsides off year round to earn their scholarships. Playing football in college is no free ride. Each could get a job working at McDonalds and put in the same hours there as are put in for football, and they would be able to pay their way through. Just a pet peeve. It is no free lunch.
When Clemson fans realize its not the fan favorite who starts but the best football player that starts clemson will be headed in the right direction. Just maybe WK is not as good as advertized!
Sarah, it’s people like you who have maintanied the “average” attitude at Clemson. The ONLY thing promised to Willy out of High School was an opportunity. It’s up to the individual to prove themselves once they get on campus. It seems to me the the coaching staff did everything in their power to provide him that “opportunity”. Parker is better. I’ve been waiting 10 years for the right coaching staff to show some balls and play whoever gives us the chance to win! Not midway through the season, right now. If we had recruited a tailback that had shown throughout the summer that he was more productive than C.J., play his ass! The bottom line is this; the days of saying “We have to give this staff a few years to get their own recruits in implement their system” are over! Win now or find somebody who can. Don’t think for one minute that the deciding factor on naming Parker as the starter didn’t evolve around job security. You seem like a fan Sarah, and I applaud your enthusiasm, but maybe you should be a fan and let those who we have placed in a position to make these decisions do their job. Take the emotion out and concentrate on the real objective………….WINNING!
Lawtonfunk,
It was Tommy that announced Willy would start and then Tommy “quit”. Dabo’s first move was to bench Willy and name Harper the starter.
I doubt the kid, Korn, was promised he’d be handed the starting job on a silver platter. All he had to do was earn the job, he didn’t do it, so I don’t feel all that sorry for him. Like an earlier poster said, the kid still gets a free education and has the opportunity to be part of a great football program. I don’t see any underhanded tactics here what-so-ever. If he doesn’t like it, then he can always transfer.
Dugatiger, don’t compare a full scholarship and playing a game to having to work part-time and go to school. Let me tell you something pal, I went to Clemson, worked partime each year and full time through the summers and still had quite a bit of student loan debt. Give me a break, this kid has it easy, I’m not busting out the violin for him just yet.
Tatertown, that’s right. Bowden did say he would start Korn as a last ditch effort to save his job. I stand corrected.
However, Dabo’s benched him because he was injured (that GT player nearly ripped his arm off mid-throw.), and therefore, Harper was better than an injured WK.
At the moment, it appears Dabo is playing the best player for the job – which is great for Clemson, but sucks for Willy.
I actually hope Parker is better in football than baseball, which is what he got his scholarship for. Leggett benched him near the end of the season because he choked at batting and missed some easy outs in outfield. IMO, Dabo screwed up on this one by naming Parker as starter when he has not played at all on the field on Saturday, and Willie has. Parker will choke.
I hate to keep beating up on Sarah, but any promises Korn might have been given when he first got Clemson were given to him by T. Bowden. Now that he’s gone, all bets are off. Like one of the other posters said, if Korn doesn’t like it, he can transfer to Furman or some other school.
Regarding Parker, he clearly give us the best chance to win this year, but I can almost guarantee you that this will be his only year on the football team. His best pro prospects are clearly in baseball so I doubt he’ll jeopardize his future there being a college QB (or tackling dummy with our O-line if they don’t improve) beyond this year. Korn will probably stick around because he knows he’ll have another chance next year. However, I give him a snowball’s chance in “H..E..double hockey sticks” of beat out Boyd in 2010.
Tiger fans might as well get use to T. Boyd being the QB next year and beyond. When he’s physically healthy and gets the entire offense down, he’ll give Clemson the best chance to win.
KP deserves to start or it wouldn’t have been decided yet. That’s the fact pure and simple. It sucks for Korn. I wish he had proven himself but I’m proud of KP and I hope that they continue to push each other to do better. If he hadn’t gotten hurt, it might be different. But like somebody else said…”That’s life!” I think we have a great situation here and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wish them both all the luck in the world and we have to remember that nothing is set in stone. If Korn busts his butt and proves himself, he’ll get the starting job down the road. The coaches see these guys every day and are able to form opinions based on facts. As fans, all we have is opinions based on hear-say, etc. I like both these boys and it’s going to be exciting to see them play! 18 days!!!
Why does everyone think Parker will be drafted to MLB? Have any of you seen him play? I have, and he is just another outfielder, not a great pitcher, catcher, or infielder. His batting got him benched last season and he dropped/missed too many balls in outfield. Why is that a great baseball player?
Lawtonfunk,
I don’t think Korn ever started. Tommy was going to start him and Dabo benched him before the game. He came in during the GT game and got hurt. Harper kept his starting spot and started all the games last year.
Lawtonfunk,
I think both Tommy and Dabo agreed Harper was better than Korn, injured or not.
We have to trust that Dabo has made the right decision here. Korn although highly touted, has suffered some bad breaks. Unfortunately he was lured to CU by a man who couldn’t motivate fruit flies onto a bad bushel of McBee peaches. I am excited, yet cautious about the upcoming season. We have the potential to do some great things, or excel in the area of mediocrity. I am concerned that “guaranteeing” Korn playing time in each game could get messy. We’ll see.
Mike,
If you think football is part time, you are severely underinformed. It is at least a 6 hour a day profession, and it is year round. Throw in the fatigue and the rest of it, and a part time job is a piece of cake.
Dugatiger,
I’d much rather work out and play football than work my a#@ off busing tables or doing manual labor at a landscape business or whatever….if you think a real job is a piece of cake then you are severely misinformed. That attitude of your’s is really annoying to those of us who worked hard to put themselves through school. Let’s face it, the athletes get all kind of breaks when it comes to academics that compensate for all that “hard work” in the gym. I don’t ever recall a professor granting a week extension on a paper b/c the student had to work the night shift each night that entire week. Playing a game for a free ride to school is much easier than working a real job to pay your way through.
These new coaches are hungry and if our O-line is as good as it can be, CJ and the other guys in the backfield will take some of the heat off early on.
Defense will keep us in every game we play so he will have time to work out the kinks. After the shutdown of GT the intangibles will take over and Clemson
will roll. mark it down.
Willy Korn should transfer out of Clemson asap and go to a smaller school so he can play. It’s BS that Swinney and Napier just recently made the decision. I assure you the decision was made after the spring game. Willy has all the talent and physical tools to play in the NFL so he should do like that kid that now QBs the Baltimore Ravens and go to a smaller school, have a great career, build up impressive stats and then get drafted. Worked well for Flacko(or how ever you spell it). Move on Willy you don’t have to play second fiddle to a glorified baseball player.