BuckTN on 
A770Tiger on 
Takeezy on 
ketelonelogic on 
We hear… Lane Kiffin is no longer under consideration as a possible new head football coach.
Clemson will be going hard after Will Muschamp, which we were pretty sure of already, but it’s now seeming like he’s the top target.
Unsubstantiated talk, mind ye.
1Mogrits
on Oct 24, 2008 at 2:36 pm:
Where’d you hear LK was out?
2Chili
on Oct 24, 2008 at 2:38 pm:
heard it through the grapevine… oooh hooooo
And like everything under the “rumors” tag, it could be complete bullshit.
3Daniel
on Oct 24, 2008 at 2:41 pm:
Dammit! I wanted the son of a well-known college coach to be followed by the son of a well-known pro coach. That ALWAYS works out. Mike Shula is loved and honored all across Alabama.
4AParker
on Oct 24, 2008 at 2:44 pm:
Whats tard net got to say about this?
5Chili
on Oct 24, 2008 at 2:46 pm:
Daniel, AParker, you guys need gravatars.
http://en.gravatar.com
6Charlie
on Oct 24, 2008 at 2:48 pm:
TNet says the same, its not surprising after TDP said they needed “ties to the area”….that automatically told me left-coasters were out of the running.
http://clempsonfootball.blogspot.com/2008/10/dabo-man.html
7AParker
on Oct 24, 2008 at 2:49 pm:
Yeah yeah i know, but when i went to sign up for one, it will not allow me to use my name. Kinda stinks, just been too busy with everything else
8Trev
on Oct 24, 2008 at 3:26 pm:
I personally am glad Kiffin is off the list. Haven’t heard too many great things about him.
9Mogrits
on Oct 24, 2008 at 3:37 pm:
What I heard loudest was about his ol’ man ratting out Clemson to the NCAA. I don’t know if there’s any truth to it or not. Oh yeah- Obama’s middle name is Hussein…
10Clemsonfan
on Oct 24, 2008 at 3:53 pm:
What happend to the Bud Foster talks?? I think he is perfect for Clemson!!
11Chili
on Oct 24, 2008 at 3:56 pm:
Not sure, I imagine he’s still on the radar. And Mogrits I’ve heard the same thing about Monte Kiffin as well.
12AParker
on Oct 24, 2008 at 3:59 pm:
Monte Kiffin ratted out Danny Ford’s illegal recruiting practices. It’s partly the reason Ford was let go back in the day, and also one of the many reasons Monte wasn’t brought back as NC State’s HC. Oh the good ol times…
13Chili
on Oct 24, 2008 at 4:15 pm:
I think calling them Ford’s illegal recruiting practices isn’t entirely accurate. The infractions Clemson was punished for were boosters providing money and favors to recruits, not Danny himself. IIRC, and this is brought up a lot, Ford himself wasn’t implicated in any of the infractions, though one could argue that he probably knew what was going on at least in some part. Maybe I’m wrong, I’m an 06 grad so clearly I wasn’t following Clemson when that stuff went down, but that’s the way I heard things went down.
Pell had far more to do with the culture of illegal activity in the program than did Ford.
14SCtiger
on Oct 24, 2008 at 4:55 pm:
The year after the National title, the NCAA investigated Clemson for recruiting violations committed by Ford and ex-coach Pell and subsequently hit the football program with two years probation including no bowl appearances during ’82-83. Because Pell was already underway in rebuilding Florida at the time (and committing more infractions there as well), Ford was the lone responsible party to take the fall.
Once that wind blew over, another came along. In early 1985, South Carolina investigators determined that three coaches were dispensing prescription drugs to athletes. Then, in 1989, the NCAA began formal investigations into the program to see if major rules violations were committed. If found, the Clemson football program would be hit with the ‘death penalty’, which basically means a total suspension of football for two years. This by far was the most serious time for Clemson, and Ford was under tremendous pressure.
Ford also had other problems in addition to NCAA violations. In 1985, former Ohio State administrator Max Lennon was named Clemson’s president. Upon his arrival, Lennon declared that athletics would be subordinate to academics. Given the football program’s immense success, Lennon’s hiring spelled doom; it led many to believe that not even the school’s president was willing to defend the program.
Between Lennon and the looming death penalty, Ford and Clemson football as a whole were in major trouble. In 1989, rumors swirled that Ford was going to be fired, and they proved to be true. On Jan. 18, 1990, under three weeks after a solid 27-7 Gator Bowl win over the West Virginia Mountaineers, Ford was forced out and, quite possibly, the death penalty may have been averted as a result.
15AParker
on Oct 24, 2008 at 5:06 pm:
Wow, awesome coverage SCTiger, good history lesson there.
16Charlie
on Oct 24, 2008 at 5:12 pm:
SCTiger, i know where you got that from, it was written by a Sakerlina fan. I’ve been researching this stuff for a post in my own blog. You have to dig up the actual infraction report from 1990 and read this for yourself.
The 85 deal was where our assistants got steroids from a Vandy coach and said Sakerlina fan shows no information as to why they used to call USC the University of Steriods and Cocaine, as their history is far more checkered on this particular subject.
The other violations occured between 84-88, where 2 assistants and several boosters paid players (small) sums of money, gave away simple things like a ride to school or a hat. We essentially got a slap on the wrist as punishment on June 1 1990. If there had been cause for a Death Penalty we’d have gotten a real probation like ’83-84. That was not why DF was forced out.
Max Lennon was forced out in the mid-90′s for messing with the books against the BOT’s approval (i’m generalizing for brevity here). Robinson stuck around til ’02.
17Chili
on Oct 24, 2008 at 5:18 pm:
AParker, looks like maybe it’s not such a good history lesson after all…
BURN
18Charlie
on Oct 24, 2008 at 5:20 pm:
I would like to add that the NCAA required DF (and all coaches accused of violations) to be cleared of wrongdoing if he accepted a new job within 5 years. He did at Arkansas (at roughly the time when his $1 million buyout was paid in full) and was cleared.
19AParker
on Oct 24, 2008 at 5:22 pm:
Hmmm, BOOM MOTHER F*&%)#R!!!!
20ClemSC
on Oct 24, 2008 at 7:41 pm:
don’t forget…
After a stint at Arkansas, Ford reportedly tried to get his job back at Clemson in 1999, but was rejected by the school’s trustees, still angry over sanctions levied against Clemson by the N.C.A.A. when Ford was coaching there. Bowden was hired from Tulane instead.
21David Lee
on Oct 24, 2008 at 7:46 pm:
When did Clemson go from football power to not being able to dominate in the ACC?
September 18, 1988 is when it happened. Sept 18 1988, a little over 20 years ago, the beginning of the end of dominant Clemson Tiger Football. Clemson, ranked number three and at home, was locked in an epic battle with number 10, Florida State. The Tigers had come up with a huge defensive stand and were poised to get the ball back with 1:31 left in the game, tied 21-21. That’s when Bobby Bowden pulled the ole’ punt-ruski. The punter jumped like the ball had gone over his head, players run to the right side of the field, except the guy with the ball- he takes off down the left side line 70 some-odd yards all the way to the one yard line. They kick a field goal and win 24-21 One of the greatest plays in college football history. And the pall it cast over Death Valley that has not lifted to this day.
So Tommy Bowden is not the answer. Neither is any buttoned up, got his act together kind of coach. Clemson needs to get their swagger back. They need their next Danny Ford. They need a redneck, mouth full of chew, womanizing, beer drinking, church on Sunday my ass type of guy to go in there, to call out the entire team for being a bunch of sissy, pre-Madonna, weaklings, fire the strength and conditioning coach, get a bunch of fat strong offensive line men, a fast tailback, a nasty defense and start playing smash mouth football again. If for no other reason so I can hate you guys again in peace and stop feeling bad for how pathetic your team has become.
And most importantly so I can say the phrase “Clemson used to be good” without revealing the decade in which I was born.
22JasonL
on Oct 24, 2008 at 7:48 pm:
I can cut and paste too. But usually I cut and paste facts.
23DwightClark87
on Oct 24, 2008 at 9:26 pm:
Oh, bullshit. The punt-a-whatever did not “cast a pall” (although that is very Sylvia Plath-esque, David Lee) over Clemson football. Coach Ford’s departure and the idiotic policies of Max Lennon and Bobby Robinson did. Hello Hatfield, hello “Danny Light” West, hello nine and 1/2 years of squeeky clean underachievement with Bowden. I really hope Clemson hires Muschamp and he drops the F bomb at his first press conference, then sets a Cocky plush toy on fire with his cigar. Like so many other posters here, I’m really sick of the same old smiley-face, go to church garbage at Clemson. ANOTHER RANT FROM DC87! Sorry.
24Willy Mac
on Oct 24, 2008 at 9:32 pm:
LOL, please tell me you didn’t use the phrase “Pre-Madonna”. I think you were looking for prima donna. GRAMMER BE DAMMT! David, I hate to tell you this but your comment’s entire credibility ran out of steam around your mish mashed “good ol boy” adjectives.
25Chili
on Oct 24, 2008 at 10:32 pm:
I liked his post, Willy Mac, and you really shouldn’t be trying to critique anyone else’s grammar.
26JamesP
on Oct 24, 2008 at 10:58 pm:
To DC87 and David Lee, two people who seem to have it right, except the hating Clemson thing, Mr. Lee. On thing DC87, theres nothing wrong with the church thing just as long as it has its place which most of the time is not on the football field. We need a coach like Ford, or Bear Bryant or even Woody Hayes. A real roughneck type of coach. I do however, see why they wont hire ford back. After watching some of the old videos of interviews, he doesnt sound very educated, sounds like a country boy that he is. I dont think the current admin wants that image for the school. Which is sad to me that the image means more than what the man can do. Here is a switch however on the good church going thing, if they want this image shouldnt they be able to forgive Coach Ford for his past wrong doings? Thats just my take. Lastly, as far as Dabo is concerned, to me he is more like on overly emotional Tommy Bowden
27aftiger
on Oct 25, 2008 at 12:25 am:
JamesP is right, they’ll never hire Coach Ford or anyone like him because they want a clean-cut image like Bowden provided–which is why, in my opinion, they kept Bowden for so long despite the fact that it was clear years ago that he was a mediocre coach. They tried hard to Keep his record on the winning side by scheduling enough cupcakes, which allowed them to justify keeping him–a winning record and clean-cut image to help move towards the sacred “Top 20″ goal. I agree we need a bust-ass coach, but I doubt we’re going to get one. We do have hope though. GO TIGERS!!!
28Charlie
on Oct 25, 2008 at 1:32 am:
Something that would really make me happy is if the next coach would just embrace Ford back into the program. The fact that so many people loved DF was that he was a country boy like so many of us. Tell the BOT to go F themselves if they dont like it, as long as he wins and breaks no rules they wont touch him. Openly go out and get Michael Dean and Fridge and Kirkland and Rodney and all those greats and have them around the team. That might be wishful thinking, but if God cant be back on the sidelines, I’d rather have him around watching and not be downcast by the Administration.
29Willy Mac
on Oct 25, 2008 at 9:15 am:
Wait, what makes you say that? I have excellent grammar. Also, it sounded like he copy/pasted from that article we linked the other week that used those same adjectives to describe DF and what we needed in a new head coach and David tried to make it seem like he pulled off those phrases by himself. I was just busting his balls a little, chill out.
30Fisher
on Oct 25, 2008 at 11:27 am:
Seems the Rich Rodriguez rumor or hope is gone now…
Those buyouts seem to take him out as a choice for Clemson -
Link: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-michigan-rodriguezcontract&prov=ap&type=lgns
“If the university terminates Rodriguez’s contract within the first three years, it would pay him $4 million; in year four, $2.5 million; in year five, $2 million; and in year six, up to $1.5 million but not more than the remaining amount he would be owed.
Should Rodriguez leave Michigan early to accept another coaching position, he would owe the school similarly.”
Don’t think Clemson can pay Tommy 3.5 the turn around and pay UM 4 mil….
31Penthouse Tiger
on Oct 25, 2008 at 12:04 pm:
Very few people ever seriously considered Rich Rod anyway… Even if the fans don’t like him, he’s pretty firmly entrenched at Michigan
32AndrewTheTerrible
on Oct 25, 2008 at 12:06 pm:
ignore this: gravatar check
33Fisher
on Oct 25, 2008 at 12:25 pm:
i agree just stating it here. I have heard some clemson fans mention Rich Rod’s name and just passing along the news that it now seems it is time to move on past the Rich Rod talks for CU fans even if a small number. Now even if he was a target he would prove to costly.
34Chili
on Oct 25, 2008 at 1:00 pm:
Who the fuck was hoping for Rich Rod?
None of us, that’s for sure.
35aftiger
on Oct 25, 2008 at 2:32 pm:
I’m with ya Charlie. Coach Ford lives just a few minutes from the University in Pendleton, and is an incredible person. I don’t think most people know just how country he really is, but I love it. He doesn’t fake it for anyone. You wouldn’t believe the old Ford pickup he drove to the University three years ago to speak to some students. It was as ragged out and beat up as anything I’ve ever seen, and he parked it right at the front steps of Tillman Hall in the spot we reserved for him. He has class though. He refused to put down Bowden when the students asked him for an opinion. I’d love to see him more involved.
36DwightClark87
on Oct 25, 2008 at 3:38 pm:
JamesP, you and I share the same opinion about the religious thing: a coach needs to keep it to himself, not openly announce that he’s calling plays based on the book of Acts.
JamesP. Charlie, aftiger, you may be interested in this news story about Coach Swinney hiring Jeff “The Judge” Davis. My apologies to Chili and Willy Mac if this has already been posted:
http://www.thestate.com/tigers/story/558356.html
Maybe this means Coach Swinney could be the first Clemson coach to acknowledge that getting to the fabled “next level” means consulting with Clemson teams that have already been there. No rant this time!
37aftiger
on Oct 25, 2008 at 10:07 pm:
I did see that. Another great move on Dabo’s part. Regardless of what happens with the head coaching job, Swinney is showing he’s smart. Looks to me like he’s playing a sweet chess game off the field, now if he can just pull the team together to execute enough plays to win he’ll be in a great position to argue his case for staying. We’ll see how he does when the emotional energy over Bowden’s departure starts to die down.
38IM A MAN IM FORTY
on Oct 25, 2008 at 10:53 pm:
Agree with some of the earlier posts. I graduated in ’89. Lennon and Robinson were douchebags.
I met Mr. Ford and Mr. Howard while I was a studuent. Both fine men. All we need is a man who has a passion for football, winning, and teaching youngsters to be respectable grown ups.. If cussing, chaw, and beer are involved… all the better.
Also was at the famous puntrooskie game. I have never felt that feeling since… like 80,000 people were simultaneously nut punched. For that reason only, we should have never considered hiring a Bowden.
Should be an interesting 2 months…
39huj
on Oct 25, 2008 at 11:06 pm:
Hmm, that “Sakerlina fan” must’ve copy/pasted from me then.
http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/clemson/9923
Anyway, that punt-rooski didn’t to squat compared to what Lennon and Robinson did. Lennon IMO was the main culprit, but Robinson sure as hell didn’t make amends once Lennon was gone.
40BDB
on Oct 26, 2008 at 4:03 pm:
I remember the punt-rooski, I also remember FSU try it again the next year and we recovered the ball. We then proceeded to beat the crap out of them, it was also the same game where Terry Allen burnt Deon Sanders on a long run for a TD.
41BDB
on Oct 26, 2008 at 4:11 pm:
I think anyone who thinks Danny Fords style of football is outdated, the Option to be exact needs to take a long look at Paul Johnson. Personally, I would bring Danny back. I don’t care if he failed to build the team he once had. I would just like to see it again. That probably is not going to happen, so why not bring in another Option coach? Its not complicated in my opinion on what we should be looking for, we need a 4th quarter coach. We have to play the 4th quarter like we played the 3rd last week.
42JamesP
on Oct 26, 2008 at 7:35 pm:
I agree with you BDB, the option is simple and with a running QB like Korn and CJ next year think of the possibilities. Not to mention the OL should be healthy.