BlogSpot News Service
From Staff Reports
How soon we forget. It was the end of a 2004 football season in which Clemson’s Bobby Williamson punched Gamecock QB Syvelle Newton in the face while the kid lay helplessly pinned beneath a pile of players. While Williamson’s cowardly blow to the face was caught on tape for all the world to see, USC, under the authority of the soon-departing Andrew Sorenson, opted to deny GamecockNation and its players, a bowl game appearance.
After the melee, the Gamecocks ended up suspending players that were part of recruiting classes that were highly coveted by the less-successful Clemson (in recruiting) program. And with intense scrutiny on the SC football team, along with Spurrrier’s adherence to high standards, players of legendary status, including Mo Thompson and Demetrius Summers were shown the door. Aside from the stars’ departure, promising players such as K.T. Mainord were disciplined with dismissal and Gamecock Great Cory Boyd was suspended. The fallout from the fiasco that followed the brawl Clemson started, charged SC Football Coach Steve Spurrier with the task that finds him years later, still recovering from. Not to say that Spurrier has not worked miracles with what he has had to deal with. The Head Ball Coach pieced together a respectable recruiting class in 2005, especially considering he had but a few weeks to catch programs years ahead of him. Of that class, players including: Jonathan Hanna; Shea McKeen; O.J. Murdock, Cade Thompson and Dakota Walker were unable to meet Spurrier’s standards for various reasons. Jarriel King still has yet to don the Garnet and Black.
And so it goes. Aside from wash-outs, Spurrier has seen devastating injuries to players including Marquee Hall, Jasper Brinkley, Nathan Pepper and Bobby Wallace, just to name a few. If you don’t think the route Spurrier has had to travel with that first recruiting class has been a tough one, make note that hardly any of Spurrier’s 2006 recruiting class is absent from the program. And except for some NCAA-approved recruits, that were blocked by (the soon-departing) Sorenson, about all of Spurrier’s 2007 recruiting class is still with him. Major injuries, at different times of the season have hurt Spurrier, but you cannot play in the SEC and not expect that.
Now, contrast the staying rate of Spurrier’s classes, to the dismissal rate of the previous staff. If you do that, and make note of the number of post-season honors Spurrier’s recruits received, you begin to see this picture developing.
An example: The Gamecocks began the 2007 football season with fifth-year senior QB, Blake Mitchell, suspended because he cut too many classes. Another top (and much-needed, veteran) defensive player, Jordin Lindsey, was suspended from the team for the year for academics. Neither player is a Spurrier recruit.
The point is this. Spurrier has been working out of a hole, without much leadership from upperclassmen, for three years. And he still may not be out of the dark because he has senior players, from the previous staff, who may not be getting the message yet.
Now compare Spurrier’s obstacles with his in-state rival. At Clemson, a program that has had the same coach for almost a decade, the local Police Department has not made an arrest of a Clemson football players since 2001 (and that was post-season of course.) A Clemson player charged with Driving Under the Influence is allowed to play. And one pleading guilty to an alcohol-related charge, involving a fatality, was allowed to negotiate down the offense, with little media scrutiny. And the players miss little or no playing time. Other serious offenses (a gang-fight) by players are handled by a student court, and scarcely make news, while players remain secure on the football team. And until post-season 2007, player dismissals for academics at Clemson were extremely rare. Thanks to either a cleanly run program (extremely doubtful) or crafty manipulation of the rules and media (probable) attrition, has not hampered the Tigers in the least. And still the team seems to be no better in Coach Tommy Bowden’s ninth year than it was in his second year.
In conclusion: When you consider all that Spurrier has dealt with in three years at South Carolina, it is a wonder he has had anything resembling success, but he has. And for anyone fretting over any recruiting deficiency you think you may perceive, take a closer look. Evidence is strong that things will get much better, regardless of who Spurrier signs in 2008. And that has to have all reason-based Gamecock football fans excited.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The “Next-To-Great” Tommy Bowden
The “Next-To-Great” Tommy Bowden
Does Tommy Bowden suffer from a complex born of being surrounded by greatness?
Blog Spot News
FROM STAFF REPORTS
In early 2006, after a couple of coach-less programs desperately pursued Steve Spurrier, wanting him to leave South Carolina to revive their collapsed football teams, the USC administration increased Spurrier's salary. It was after his first year, a year in which he had won at Tennessee and beaten Florida, fielding a team that lost loads of talent that was recruited by former coach Lou Holtz (for discipline reasons.) In connection with Spurrier’s upgrade in pay, Tommy Bowden, in effect, quipped: “At South Carolina, they give you a raise if you win seven games, here at Clemson, you win seven games and they’ll fire you.” For the most part, the media laughed and dutifully printed Bowden’s claim without vetting it. Of course it was untrue. Bowden had maxed out at six wins in 1999; seven wins in 2001; seven wins in 2002 and six wins in 2004. Fact is, when Bowden made the derogatory comment toward Spurrier and USC, he had won only seven or fewer games a majority of his seasons at Clemson. And he had not only been retained by Clemson, he had been given a raise with a multi-million dollar buyout clause in his contract.While Bowden’s declaration would have been classless, even it were based in truth, you have to ask: Why does a man in his position feel he must lie to draw bravado and attention to himself? (And that is not Bowden’s only looseness with the truth: See the Tony Nelson and Eric Young.) Considering what we‘ve seen Bowden do: I think if we look around him we can answer the question about his less-than-candid nature.His whole life, Tommy Bowden has lived in the shadow of his father, Florida State University’s Bobby Bowden. Bobby Bowden is one of college football’s greatest coaches. Bobby Bowden has earned a spot in many a big game. And on some of those occasions, when faced with a challenge, Bobby Bowden stepped up and won the “BIG” game. His Seminoles were National Champions in 1993 and 1999. In addition to his championships, Bobby Bowden dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference for a decade, winning championships, seemingly with the least of effort.Though he is but a shell of himself now, many would argue that Bobby Bowden’s accomplishments are no doubt the reason Tommy Bowden, who has failed to win even one championship in the hapless ACC, has been given a considerable amount of cache as a college football coach.While dwarfed by football greatness in his family, it is not the only place the diminutive Tommy Bowden finds himself lacking.In 1999, after Brad Scott engineered one of the most miserable coaching jobs in the history of South Carolina football, Lou Holtz took over as the head coach of the Gamecocks. At that moment, Bowden went from a big fish in a small pond, that had contained only a blubbering and incompetent whale as competition, to Mr. Nobody, paling to “Football Legend Lou Holtz.” The popular Holtz, like Bobby Bowden had not choked in his big moment, and he won a National Championship in 1988. A feat Tommy Bowden could not even dream of. While Tommy Bowden was able to defeat Holtz more times than not, Bowden still failed to win big games as he and Holtz coached in the same state. In fact, it was not until Bowden’s ninth year at Clemson (2007) that he was able to match Holtz’s best two years at SC. Both Holtz and Bowden amassed win totals of 17 in two years. Holtz did it in years two and three at SC and Bowden did not do it until years eight and nine. Still: Holtz won two New Year’s Day bowl in those years, while Bowden has lost two bowl games, and has never won an NYD bowl game.Exit Holtz: and who shows up on the scene at South Carolina” the aforementioned Steve Spurrier. Another of the greatest coaches in college football history. And like Holtz and Bobby Bowden, Spurrier shined at one of his most-opportune moments, winning the National Championship in 1996.In addition to his stature, Spurrier is also building a contender at South Carolina. Something Holtz, given his energy level, was not able to maintain. But with Spurrier’s drive and determination, it seems Bowden will again be overshadowed by a great man. And with the success Spurrier is having at building the Gamecock program, Bowden is likely to be beaten by the “Head Ball Coach” for the rest of his tenure at Clemson.While Bowden must look up and wish he could be, the ACC seems to dip in quality each year. Yet Bowden has failed, even when a crown has been virtually laid at his feet.And now James Davis, the possibly highest-quality running back Clemson has ever had, is leaving Bowden. Clemson, even with the talented Davis, was pretty much an under-performing offense, so it lessens the big-game opportunity for Bowden in the future. Yes: there is something to be said for Bowden meeting a level of mediocrity annually in an ever-slipping ACC, but the fact that he has stumbled so visibly when his chance was handed to him, will likely haunt and scar Bowden. To be sure, Bowden’s performance has launched his legacy as the best coach ever to stand “Next-To-Greatness.”
Does Tommy Bowden suffer from a complex born of being surrounded by greatness?
Blog Spot News
FROM STAFF REPORTS
In early 2006, after a couple of coach-less programs desperately pursued Steve Spurrier, wanting him to leave South Carolina to revive their collapsed football teams, the USC administration increased Spurrier's salary. It was after his first year, a year in which he had won at Tennessee and beaten Florida, fielding a team that lost loads of talent that was recruited by former coach Lou Holtz (for discipline reasons.) In connection with Spurrier’s upgrade in pay, Tommy Bowden, in effect, quipped: “At South Carolina, they give you a raise if you win seven games, here at Clemson, you win seven games and they’ll fire you.” For the most part, the media laughed and dutifully printed Bowden’s claim without vetting it. Of course it was untrue. Bowden had maxed out at six wins in 1999; seven wins in 2001; seven wins in 2002 and six wins in 2004. Fact is, when Bowden made the derogatory comment toward Spurrier and USC, he had won only seven or fewer games a majority of his seasons at Clemson. And he had not only been retained by Clemson, he had been given a raise with a multi-million dollar buyout clause in his contract.While Bowden’s declaration would have been classless, even it were based in truth, you have to ask: Why does a man in his position feel he must lie to draw bravado and attention to himself? (And that is not Bowden’s only looseness with the truth: See the Tony Nelson and Eric Young.) Considering what we‘ve seen Bowden do: I think if we look around him we can answer the question about his less-than-candid nature.His whole life, Tommy Bowden has lived in the shadow of his father, Florida State University’s Bobby Bowden. Bobby Bowden is one of college football’s greatest coaches. Bobby Bowden has earned a spot in many a big game. And on some of those occasions, when faced with a challenge, Bobby Bowden stepped up and won the “BIG” game. His Seminoles were National Champions in 1993 and 1999. In addition to his championships, Bobby Bowden dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference for a decade, winning championships, seemingly with the least of effort.Though he is but a shell of himself now, many would argue that Bobby Bowden’s accomplishments are no doubt the reason Tommy Bowden, who has failed to win even one championship in the hapless ACC, has been given a considerable amount of cache as a college football coach.While dwarfed by football greatness in his family, it is not the only place the diminutive Tommy Bowden finds himself lacking.In 1999, after Brad Scott engineered one of the most miserable coaching jobs in the history of South Carolina football, Lou Holtz took over as the head coach of the Gamecocks. At that moment, Bowden went from a big fish in a small pond, that had contained only a blubbering and incompetent whale as competition, to Mr. Nobody, paling to “Football Legend Lou Holtz.” The popular Holtz, like Bobby Bowden had not choked in his big moment, and he won a National Championship in 1988. A feat Tommy Bowden could not even dream of. While Tommy Bowden was able to defeat Holtz more times than not, Bowden still failed to win big games as he and Holtz coached in the same state. In fact, it was not until Bowden’s ninth year at Clemson (2007) that he was able to match Holtz’s best two years at SC. Both Holtz and Bowden amassed win totals of 17 in two years. Holtz did it in years two and three at SC and Bowden did not do it until years eight and nine. Still: Holtz won two New Year’s Day bowl in those years, while Bowden has lost two bowl games, and has never won an NYD bowl game.Exit Holtz: and who shows up on the scene at South Carolina” the aforementioned Steve Spurrier. Another of the greatest coaches in college football history. And like Holtz and Bobby Bowden, Spurrier shined at one of his most-opportune moments, winning the National Championship in 1996.In addition to his stature, Spurrier is also building a contender at South Carolina. Something Holtz, given his energy level, was not able to maintain. But with Spurrier’s drive and determination, it seems Bowden will again be overshadowed by a great man. And with the success Spurrier is having at building the Gamecock program, Bowden is likely to be beaten by the “Head Ball Coach” for the rest of his tenure at Clemson.While Bowden must look up and wish he could be, the ACC seems to dip in quality each year. Yet Bowden has failed, even when a crown has been virtually laid at his feet.And now James Davis, the possibly highest-quality running back Clemson has ever had, is leaving Bowden. Clemson, even with the talented Davis, was pretty much an under-performing offense, so it lessens the big-game opportunity for Bowden in the future. Yes: there is something to be said for Bowden meeting a level of mediocrity annually in an ever-slipping ACC, but the fact that he has stumbled so visibly when his chance was handed to him, will likely haunt and scar Bowden. To be sure, Bowden’s performance has launched his legacy as the best coach ever to stand “Next-To-Greatness.”
After Big Win, Tigers and Gamecocks Take Two Different Paths
After Big Win, Tigers and Gamecocks Take Two Different Paths
BlogSpot News Service
Staff Writer
The kick sailed through, the clocked turned to :00 and TigerNation screeched with unbelievable relief.It was the euphoria that comes from postponing the fear that Steve Spurrier, in his third year with an injury-depleted team, was not quite able to embarrass Clemson’s ninth-year coach.But since the Tigers’ improbable 23-21 comeback, last-second win over the Gamecocks, the two teams seem to have taken different paths.First, rumors swirled that Tiger head man Tommy Bowden was talking to Arkansas about being a replacement for Houston Nutt, who had departed for Ole Miss. While ESPN reported that there was no guarantee that the Arkansas Board of Trustees would accept Bowden because of questions about his abilities, Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips hurriedly, if not prematurely, locked championship-less Bowden into $2 million-plus, long-term contract. At South Carolina, Steve Spurrier sent the message that the Gamecocks’ horrible skid, that included losses to what many would consider inferior opponents in Vanderbilt and Clemson, most likely had to do with a deficiency in his defensive coordinator’s staff. Spurrier’s defensive coordinator was allowed to leave to take the DC job with Nutt at Ole Miss.At Clemson, the oft-accused villain for Clemson’s inability to rise above football mediocrity, will stay at the school. Offensive Coordinator Rob Spence, the butt an avalanche of criticism after any Clemson loss - most of which come on the few times the Tigers take on any above-average opponent - said he was offered a $100,000-plus annual raise to become OC at Tennessee. Although many media sources reported that Spence turned down the job, there was never any confirmation that he was actually offered the position by the Volunteers.Meanwhile, Spurrier was successful in his effort to lure former Georgia DC Brian VanGorder to Columbia. VanGorder’s credentials are impeccable and even more important, he has coached in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division, and he knows that he will be facing the toughest slate of opponets in the country. Still, he gladly accepted that challenge. In addition to VanGorder, the Gamecocks were able to snag Maryland Special Teams Coach Ray Rychleski, one of the best in the nation. Ironically, without a blocked punt, South Carolina likely would have ended the season with a victory over Clemson and been in a bowl game. Aside from the coaching murkiness at Clemson and triumphs at South Carolina, player personnel has become an issue at both schools. As if the administration was sending a message to Bowden, three of his starters were banned from the Peach Bowl. The player dismissals came after Bowden attacked the Clemson University administration (in February) when some of his recruits, who likely would not have been cleared for enrollment by the NCAA, were denied by the university.At South Carolina, University President Andrew Sorensen announced his resignation. Sorensen drew sharp criticism from Spurrier in August for the last-minute denial of NCAA-approved recruits.In other personnel-related developments, Bowden, who often uses faith to gain an advantage with recruits and their families, allowed Courtney Vincent to play in the Peach Bowl after the player was arrested for Driving Under the Influence just days earlier. That move came after Bowden learned of the academically ineligible players. To add insult to injury, despite Bowden’s choice to forgo discipline of Vincent, the Tigers loss the bowl game 23-20.The bowl loss was crucial because of the fact that Clemson was favored and Auburn was having what many feel to be a down year. Before the loss, Clemson supporters in the media expressed opinions that the Tigers’ assumed 10th win (over Auburn) would beckon back the memories of Clemson icon Danny Ford. Even though, Clemson Head Coach Ken Hatfield won 10 games at Clemson after Ford’s departure. The loss only served to increase the size of the already large monkey on Bowden’s back as he enters 2008.Also related to personnel developments, James Davis, the key player in Clemson’s offense, has announced that he will turn pro and not return to Clemson. Tiger fans, who on queue from Bowden are accustomed to the belief that ballyhooed recruits can replace their greatest performers and surpass them, may learn the hard way of Davis’ unique talent and value to the team. Still, Bowden has managed to set up such a non-competitive host of opponents to supplement an already laughably weak slate of Atlantic Coast Conference foes, Davis’ departure will likely have less affect than it would if the Tigers’ schedule offered a more legitimate challenge. Besides Davis, in a sign of possible no-confidence, other players are mulling a departure from Clemson. And any one of them leaving will be harmful to the already underachieving Tigers’ chances in 2008.At South Carolina, Jasper Brinkley, one of the top linebackers in the country, is returning for his senior year as is Wide Receiver Kenny McKinley, also one of the top players in the country.While Gamecock fans were left to sulk after a late-season defensive collapse, changes are being made and there is a lot of reality based optimism among the GamecockNation.And while Clemson fans have a long history of being able to overlook serious off-season blows to their program, logic says 2008 could be a difficult one for the Tigers.If the post-November developments at Clemson and South Carolina are any indication, Gamecock fans have a lot to look forward to. At Clemson, Tiger fans need to try to not think about the long-term deals their athletic director has given to their coaches, who have underachieved to this point. It is truly a tale of two decidedly different directions.
BlogSpot News Service
Staff Writer
The kick sailed through, the clocked turned to :00 and TigerNation screeched with unbelievable relief.It was the euphoria that comes from postponing the fear that Steve Spurrier, in his third year with an injury-depleted team, was not quite able to embarrass Clemson’s ninth-year coach.But since the Tigers’ improbable 23-21 comeback, last-second win over the Gamecocks, the two teams seem to have taken different paths.First, rumors swirled that Tiger head man Tommy Bowden was talking to Arkansas about being a replacement for Houston Nutt, who had departed for Ole Miss. While ESPN reported that there was no guarantee that the Arkansas Board of Trustees would accept Bowden because of questions about his abilities, Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips hurriedly, if not prematurely, locked championship-less Bowden into $2 million-plus, long-term contract. At South Carolina, Steve Spurrier sent the message that the Gamecocks’ horrible skid, that included losses to what many would consider inferior opponents in Vanderbilt and Clemson, most likely had to do with a deficiency in his defensive coordinator’s staff. Spurrier’s defensive coordinator was allowed to leave to take the DC job with Nutt at Ole Miss.At Clemson, the oft-accused villain for Clemson’s inability to rise above football mediocrity, will stay at the school. Offensive Coordinator Rob Spence, the butt an avalanche of criticism after any Clemson loss - most of which come on the few times the Tigers take on any above-average opponent - said he was offered a $100,000-plus annual raise to become OC at Tennessee. Although many media sources reported that Spence turned down the job, there was never any confirmation that he was actually offered the position by the Volunteers.Meanwhile, Spurrier was successful in his effort to lure former Georgia DC Brian VanGorder to Columbia. VanGorder’s credentials are impeccable and even more important, he has coached in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division, and he knows that he will be facing the toughest slate of opponets in the country. Still, he gladly accepted that challenge. In addition to VanGorder, the Gamecocks were able to snag Maryland Special Teams Coach Ray Rychleski, one of the best in the nation. Ironically, without a blocked punt, South Carolina likely would have ended the season with a victory over Clemson and been in a bowl game. Aside from the coaching murkiness at Clemson and triumphs at South Carolina, player personnel has become an issue at both schools. As if the administration was sending a message to Bowden, three of his starters were banned from the Peach Bowl. The player dismissals came after Bowden attacked the Clemson University administration (in February) when some of his recruits, who likely would not have been cleared for enrollment by the NCAA, were denied by the university.At South Carolina, University President Andrew Sorensen announced his resignation. Sorensen drew sharp criticism from Spurrier in August for the last-minute denial of NCAA-approved recruits.In other personnel-related developments, Bowden, who often uses faith to gain an advantage with recruits and their families, allowed Courtney Vincent to play in the Peach Bowl after the player was arrested for Driving Under the Influence just days earlier. That move came after Bowden learned of the academically ineligible players. To add insult to injury, despite Bowden’s choice to forgo discipline of Vincent, the Tigers loss the bowl game 23-20.The bowl loss was crucial because of the fact that Clemson was favored and Auburn was having what many feel to be a down year. Before the loss, Clemson supporters in the media expressed opinions that the Tigers’ assumed 10th win (over Auburn) would beckon back the memories of Clemson icon Danny Ford. Even though, Clemson Head Coach Ken Hatfield won 10 games at Clemson after Ford’s departure. The loss only served to increase the size of the already large monkey on Bowden’s back as he enters 2008.Also related to personnel developments, James Davis, the key player in Clemson’s offense, has announced that he will turn pro and not return to Clemson. Tiger fans, who on queue from Bowden are accustomed to the belief that ballyhooed recruits can replace their greatest performers and surpass them, may learn the hard way of Davis’ unique talent and value to the team. Still, Bowden has managed to set up such a non-competitive host of opponents to supplement an already laughably weak slate of Atlantic Coast Conference foes, Davis’ departure will likely have less affect than it would if the Tigers’ schedule offered a more legitimate challenge. Besides Davis, in a sign of possible no-confidence, other players are mulling a departure from Clemson. And any one of them leaving will be harmful to the already underachieving Tigers’ chances in 2008.At South Carolina, Jasper Brinkley, one of the top linebackers in the country, is returning for his senior year as is Wide Receiver Kenny McKinley, also one of the top players in the country.While Gamecock fans were left to sulk after a late-season defensive collapse, changes are being made and there is a lot of reality based optimism among the GamecockNation.And while Clemson fans have a long history of being able to overlook serious off-season blows to their program, logic says 2008 could be a difficult one for the Tigers.If the post-November developments at Clemson and South Carolina are any indication, Gamecock fans have a lot to look forward to. At Clemson, Tiger fans need to try to not think about the long-term deals their athletic director has given to their coaches, who have underachieved to this point. It is truly a tale of two decidedly different directions.
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