The Dabo Swinney Era Begins

It may only last seven weeks. Good news, bad news and other views following Tommy Bowden's exit at Clemson.

Tommy Bowden Resigns

Good News
You have to believe Bowden has been on the clock since the home loss to Maryland. When Bowden couldn't pull off a win at Wake Forest 12 days later - a frequent act during his tenure of winning a game you're not expected to, in concert with losing one you write in stone as a victory - it was hard to picture him at IPTAY meetings next spring selling hope for the 2009 season. Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips put it best when he said Bowden had lost "credibility."

Bad News
Bowden had no serious problems with the NCAA. He graduated a good number of his players. There were incidents of his players getting into trouble off the field over a decade, but it wasn't a consistent source of embarrassment to the school. Bowden won games, but just not enough of them. And the university gave him ten seasons at the helm.

More Good News
If Bowden chooses to coach again he has the reputation and record of a winner at Clemson, clean with following rules and a good recruiter. Failure to win big isn't the worst thing to have on a resume.

Dabo Swinney

Why he'll get the job permanently after the season
Swinney will have a focused team for the final six games and who knows what could happen if the offensive line gets healthy and/or better. Death Valley crowds won't boo the home team on every three-and-out series knowing that a coaching change has been made. Phillips thinks highly of Swinney. The interim coach is considered an up and coming name - that means Swinney has a reputation as a good recruiter - and the prospect of seeing him making that name somewhere else than Clemson is a little frightening.

Why he won't
Clemson will seek an established winner. No coaching search begins without those words. Athletic directors will add that talented assistants will be considered, but only after targeting an established winner. Randy Shannon isn't helping this path for assistant coaches with his work at ACC rival Miami, so far.

Rob Spence

Bad News
He appeared to be a quiet, religious family man. Other programs came calling for his services - Minnesota, Tennessee and Alabama - but he chose to stay at Clemson. Perhaps Spence should have taken one of those offers.

Good News
If Swinney eliminates two words from the Clemson vocabulary: bubble screen.

Text Messages

Good News
A speedy way of sending information with technology that allows you to be short with a response and private with it's delivery to the intended ear.

Bad News
If an ESPN reporter makes such a message very public. Cullen Harper texted "it's what he deserved" in reference to Bowden leaving and had to explain the meaning later. Harper said the quote was "taken out of context." I've never heard of a text message being taken out of context.

I'll cut Harper some slack here. I'm imagining myself at that age in his shoes before the media glare. The thought is frightening.

USC Gamecocks

Good News
Say what you will about Tommy Bowden, but seven wins in nine games between the rivals is pretty much being owned; close games and disputed push-offs notwithstanding.

Bad News
Inconclusive, until Clemson names Bowden's successor.

Déjà vu

Good News
Seeing Bowden walk from the McFadden Building to a waiting car - with no answers to media questions - after announcing his resignation brought back a memory. It was Danny Ford walking from Jervey Athletic Center, across Perimeter Road to a waiting pickup truck - with no answers to media questions - after announcing his departure in 1990.

Bad News
The mere mention of Ford's name will inspire that tiny quantum of Clemson fans - I'm talking the Horton Hears a Who size segment - who will call for Ford to be hired back as head coach.