Clemson's Blackwell gets chance to control defense

CLEMSON — David Blackwell knows he has a tough act to follow.

As a co-defensive coordinator along with Ron West, Blackwell, a member of the Clemson coaching staff for the past six seasons, is getting to do something he has wanted to do for a while — put his own imprint on the Tigers' defense when it takes the field against Nebraska in Thursday's Gator Bowl.

It's not that Blackwell wants to change things mind you — the Tigers had the nation's 10th-ranked scoring defense under former defensive coordinator Vic Koenning — he's just going to enjoy calling his own game for the first time.

"I think every coach looks forward to that day when they can kind of call their own shots," Blackwell said. "I've been in the coaching business for 15 years and this is my first opportunity to call a game and it's something I'm really looking forward to."

Blackwell, who will call the plays from the press box with input from West, said he's not looking to "reinvent the wheel" in one game.

Under Koenning's direction, the Tigers were ranked in the top 20 defensively in scoring defense (10th), total defense (17th), passing defense (10th) and passing efficiency defense (9th). Since Koenning arrived in 2005, the Tigers were ranked in the top 25 in those three categories. Before Koenning arrived, the Tigers had managed that feat just twice.

"Vic was a great defensive coach, so there's not a whole lot I need to change," Blackwell said. "Sure, I'm going

to do things a little different, I'm going to try and put my stamp on it, but there's really no reason to change a whole lot.

"We've got a good scheme. The kids know what we're trying to get done, so it would be really silly of me to come in here and change what we're trying to do."

One day after being named head coach, Dabo Swinney informed Koenning that he would not be retained after the Tigers' bowl game. Koenning resigned and has since been hired as the co-defensive coordinator at his alma mater — Kansas State.

There had been an underlying tension between Swinney and Koenning, a one-time head coach at Wyoming, since the former wide receivers coach took over as the Tigers "interim" coach back in October.

Blackwell remained outside the fray, and after Koenning left, he decided to focus on Nebraska and his defensive players.

"Things are going to happen. That's just a part of this business," Blackwell said. "You never expect to go into a bowl game without a coordinator. I have a tremendous amount of respect for both Dabo and Vic. They've both done wonderful things for this football team. Ideally, I would have loved for Vic to still be here, but he's not, so I'm not going to worry about it. We're all professionals and we've got a job to do and that's to try and stop a very potent Nebraska team."

Since Swinney took over as head coach, there has been a perception that the Tigers have been more aggressive in their playcalling.

Blackwell isn't so sure.

"I don't know about that," Blackwell said. "We might play a little more man coverage instead of zone coverage, but a lot of that had to do with some of the opponents we were playing against.

"If (Swinney) wants me to blitz more, bring more pressure, and play more man coverage, I'm going to do it because he's the head coach. He's certainly had some input into the game plan, but there's nothing unusual about that. He's the head coach."

Blackwell, who worked on the field and in the press box during his tenure with the Tigers, said he'll remain "upstairs" to call the defensive plays.

"I've been on the field and in the press box throughout my career," Blackwell said. "I'm comfortable in both, but I've been in the box most recently here, so that's where I'm going to stay."

Blackwell said West, who has been on the Tigers' coaching staff for 10 seasons, will have plenty of input during the game.

"Ron's going to be down on the field and he's going to tell me what he sees," Blackwell said. "Ron and I have a great working relationship. He's got a ton of experience, so of course, I'm going to value his opinion. All the defensive coaches are going to have some input during the game."

Blackwell said he's not sure what the future will hold for him at Clemson. It has been widely reported that Swinney has interviewed former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis for the same spot with the Tigers.

"Honestly, I'm not really too worried about that right now," Blackwell said. "It's not about me. It can't be about me. It's about these players and this football team. What happens after the season is over will happen. I'm going to coach my butt off like I've done the last six years I've been at Clemson."

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