Bowden bows out
Assistant Swinney named interim coach, fires offensive coordinator Spence
CLEMSON — Terry Don Phillips wore an unmistakable look of relief Monday evening as he discussed the end of Tommy Bowden's Clemson coaching tenure.
The athletic director spoke of how well Bowden has represented the school, and of some exhilarating highs under his watch.
But really, this felt like a divorce as Bowden parted with the program he coached for nine-plus seasons.
"There's a time that maybe you just need to walk away," Phillips said.
Bowden, 54, agreed to leave Clemson with the Tigers' season careening. And in steps 38-year-old receivers coach Dabo Swinney, whom Phillips tabbed interim coach.
Swinney's first move was to fire offensive coordinator Rob Spence, who'd been the subject of intense criticism as the Tigers failed to move the ball and produce points.
Phillips said a "national search" for Bowden's replacement is already under way, but he added that Swinney has a chance to put his name squarely into the mix.
Bowden, who compiled a 72-45 record (43-32 ACC) after leaving Tulane to take over Clemson in December of 1998, appeared with Phillips and read a brief statement before leaving without taking questions from the media.
Reader poll
Did Clemson make the right decision regarding Tommy Bowden?
- Yes. It was time for him to go. 62% 482 votes
- No. His departure won't make the team any better. 37% 285 votes
767 total votes.
"Terry Don approached me this morning and we both agreed that this is probably the best solution for the program at this time," Bowden said. "Clemson has been very good to me and my family. … I wish them nothing but success, and then I will be their biggest fan on Saturday."
Phillips stressed that Bowden was not fired, but that seemed up for debate. Senior tailback James Davis said through tears he didn't believe Phillips' claim that Bowden suggested a mutual parting that will give Bowden a buyout of $3.5 million, plus Bowden's salary through Nov. 30.
And Swinney said Bowden is "a fighter till the end."
"One thing I'll say he's not is a quitter," Swinney said.
Swinney finished up practice Monday evening, showered and walked to his press conference, where he spent 40 minutes enunciating a call for a psychological restoration of the program. The Tigers (3-3, 1-2 ACC) play host to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
"I'm going to make some mistakes, but I promise you we'll make them full speed," Swinney said. "There will be one gear, and that's wide open. And that's the way I expect the team to play."
Swinney was put in the awkward position of having to take over not only for his boss, but for the man he played for at Alabama. In the winter of 2003, Bowden convinced Swinney to return to coaching after a two-year stint in the real estate business.
"This is a very bittersweet day for me," he said. "I've dreamed of being a head coach, but I certainly never dreamed of getting my first job this way."
Having signed a contract extension last December after a flirtation with Arkansas, Bowden was expected to achieve great things in his 10th year.
But with a .500 record after six games and the Tigers' ACC title hopes bleak, the pressure on Bowden continued to mount to the point where Phillips said the coach's job security had become a "week-to-week proposition."
Even though Phillips said Bowden put his departure agreement "on the table," the athletic director indicated that an announcement of an end-of-season change would have been forthcoming once Clemson became mathematically eliminated from the Atlantic Division race.
The Tigers haven't won an ACC title since 1991.
"We both understand the conference championship was critically important," Phillips said. "Because you look at Tommy's record, he's got a very good record and has done a lot of great things. But when you get into year nine or 10 or 11 and you haven't won a title, it becomes a credibility issue. And this is something we talked about last year at the end of the year. It wasn't a new conversation or a new topic."
Bowden received last year's extension just weeks after the Tigers lost at home to Boston College and squandered a chance to reach the ACC title game. But the team still finished with nine wins, and the expectation was to take it to another level this year.
The Tigers began the season ranked No. 9 and as overwhelming favorites to win the ACC championship. They suffered a 34-10 loss to Alabama in the opener, and back-to-back losses to Maryland and Wake Forest left fans calling for Bowden's ouster.
Swinney was in his sixth season as Clemson's receivers coach. He was named assistant head coach in the winter of 2007 after turning down an offer to serve at his alma mater under Alabama's Nick Saban.
Within an hour of being informed he was taking over, Swinney did "the most difficult thing I've ever had to do" and told Spence his services were no longer needed.
Spence, who turned down lucrative offers from Tennessee, Alabama and Minnesota in recent years, declined to comment as he left the football offices early Monday afternoon. His offense had scored six touchdowns in four games against teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision and had produced just one touchdown in the previous six quarters.
Swinney said former tight ends coach Billy Napier will now oversee quarterbacks and play a significant role in play-calling. Graduate assistants Jeff Scott and Mike Dooley are now coaching receivers and tight ends, respectively.
Swinney said his play-calling will be aggressive.
"One thing I don't want to do is look back in December and say, 'I wish I'd have done this. I wish I'd have done that,'" he said. "You're looking at a coach who has nothing to lose. We're going to lay it all on the line. And it might be a seven-week career, but it's going to be fun."
Senior quarterback Cullen Harper, who was demoted by Bowden a day after the loss to Wake Forest, said it's time to rally around Swinney. He backed off of published comments earlier in the day quoting him saying Bowden "got what he deserved."
Harper said he's hoping to take the starting role back from redshirt freshman Willy Korn, whom Bowden named the starter Friday. But Swinney said Korn will start Saturday.
"Sometimes you need a spark," Swinney said.
Bowden led the Tigers to three nine-win seasons and four Top 25 finishes, with a high of No. 16 in 2000. But his teams were never able to cash in on high expectations.
Clemson began the 2004 season ranked No. 15 but started 1-4 and finished 6-5. They Tigers began 2006 ranked No. 18 and ascended to No. 10 after a 7-1 start. They ended up losing four of their last five games.
The Tigers began this season with their first Top 10 preseason ranking since 1991, thanks largely to a bevy of skill players. Harper, Davis and tailback C.J. Spiller finished 1-2-3 in the ACC's preseason player of the year voting.
Since the Tigers' 7-1 start in 2006, they have compiled a 10-11 record against teams from the FBS. Eleven of their last 12 losses have come to underdogs.
And a turnaround won't be easy for the banged-up Tigers, who follow Saturday's game with visits to Boston College and Florida State. Spiller isn't expected to play Saturday because of a hamstring injury, and the offensive line is dealing with another wave of injuries.
Swinney said the first step is "creating some positive energy" and "alleviating negativity and tension," but he added that playing good football is still possible.
"We don't have to create a nuclear weapon here or create a rocket," he said. "This is football. It isn't rocket science."
Said Phillips: "This is not a throwaway season. We can still accomplish our goals."
For the first time since 1998, those goals will be pursued without Bowden at the helm.
Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/
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Comments
therivers (anonymous) says...
It was time for Bowden to go.
October 14, 2008 at 1:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bearsfan88 (anonymous) says...
I think at the beginning of the season everyone knew TB had finally got the talent he needed Clemson and know it was time to produce or be fired. I think the 2007 contract ext. was to give security to current and future players.
October 14, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tgrfan2 (anonymous) says...
Way past time for him to go. I think the best statement on TB I heard yesterday was from Robert Carswell. He said "I like Tommy, but he threw a lot of players under the bus"!
The losses in his most hyped season yet, plus the handling of Harper/Korn finally led to his undoing.
October 14, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
timeismoney50 (anonymous) says...
There's no CRYING in football !!!
October 14, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Other than on the football field, these events surrounding Bowden have the feel a win-win situation.
October 14, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
"smoke and mirrors" bowden gone. . .
"Lab-Rat Spence gone. . .
only 1 of the 3 stooges left. . . Fat Brad needs to go too!
Gotta like Swinney's attitude for the rest of the season.
He might turn out to be the "man".
October 14, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notsoniave007 (anonymous) says...
Let's move on now! Let the Brylcream OFFENSE roll - "A little Dabo do ya"!
October 14, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
tammy averaged 7 wins a year, went to 8 bowls, won 4, and beat usc regularly. What are these people smoking? Or rather, what color is the kool aid? This is as good as it is going to get, now and forever. Get your expectations calibrated tiggers - tammy did a good job.
October 14, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nappyd (anonymous) says...
Carswell should know, as many times as his slow butt got burned by receivers who else was the coach supposed to blame?
October 14, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
There is no doubt in my mine that he was fired. The news conference was a charade to save face. I think it is time to assess the results of the millions of dollars that have been spent on this program and the abysmal results. Perhaps it is time to return to an amateur status, where the game is played on Saturday at 12:00 or 1:00, for the students, the students get decent seats, and coaches don't make millions
October 14, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
combahee (anonymous) says...
Whether it was time for Bowden to go or not, it is the players that play the game. If they can't do their assignments and throw incomplete passes and interceptions what does that say about them.
Harper's and his fathers comments were and are totally uncalled for.
At least Tommy had some class in the press conference.
Can't see anything good coming of this in the middle of the season. A head coach does not "resign" in this manner.
Glad Clemson is so RICH to be able to PAY OFF TB's guarantee.
October 14, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jttiger (anonymous) says...
Carswell was a left-over thug from T West's pitiful program...go figure
October 14, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
algorelost (anonymous) says...
Why do people at Clemson think their something their not? Your a program in the middle of nowhere SC. Why on earth do they think they should compete on the level of other top programs? 7 wins and a bowl game is all they should expect. TB brought that, Clemson will never compete with a Southern Cal, or a Texas. Just be happy trying to be competative in the ACC.
October 14, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fantasy5 (anonymous) says...
You're right algorelost, all of the good/big SEC schools are located right smack dab in the middle of big cities and perfectly located....wait, no they're not, they're located in BFE just like Tiger Town! Clemson fans have big expectations and rightfully so, as we have been "there," and we will get back there... Don't get mad because you will never be at a point where you are revered as a top football school, but we will never settle for mediocrity, something you cocklovers have been complacent with since the inception of your program. Good day...
October 14, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Don't blame the players, it is leadership, training and prep for the next game that makes for a good performance. That is the coaches job. I watch tammy on the sidelines and I wonder who the hell he is talking to while his team is going down in flames. I look at Sperrier (sp?) and good or bad he is involved, encouraging his players and doing a throw down with pain on his face when thing go badly. Clemson needs a coach with fire in his gut - hope this new guy can turn things around.
October 14, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
fantasy 5 does it make any sense to respond to some with the same comment they made but think that it actually does apply to them more than it applies to you?? Just ignore it. The fact is programs like South Florida, Virginia Tech, and Texas Tech, show that sometimes it just takes a while for a program to move up and sometimes it takes longer than others. Sure there are perrenial powers, Southern Cal,Texas, Michigan, etc. but they have down periods too. The fact is any team can move up to national importance, the hard part is staying there.
October 14, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebel1 (anonymous) says...
real class shown by harper and his father. sounds like he got what he deserved.
October 14, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
algorelost (anonymous) says...
Fantasy5 the point of my post was to just be happy for what you are and that TB was fine for the program. Clemson is just not going to be a perrenial power. They are what they are , a middle of the road ACC team who every few years competes for the conference title. Just be happy with it, your not ever going to be a Southern Cal or a Texas. Look at UNC, they would love to have be a middle of the road ACC team, who every few years competes for a conference title, they would be happy with that. Also dump the purple uniforms.
October 14, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
"Clemson fans have big expectations and rightfully so, as we have been 'there', and we will get back 'there'..." What a joke. No, you have not been "there", you never won a title, you got votes from sports writers who were paid off and who were looking for a way to make a statement. You played a schedule that was weakest in the history of college football. You never played in a national championship game, never ever, and you won't get close to "there" not now, not ever. But you just keep on spinning those tales, keeps your minds in full gear for sure.
October 14, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
I think everyone at Clemson is overpaid. Most definitely the football coach. Have any of you seen the pay that the instructors get? It is outrageous. I am so glad none of my kids went there. I had seen the end of the newscast about this. I kind of felt sorry for him but he was probably crying because he was going to miss his million dollar paychecks. Isn't he the coach where the college bought him a farm or is that USC?
October 14, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Posted by robbybobby on October 14, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Clemson fans have big expectations and rightfully so, as we have been 'there', and we will get back 'there'..." What a joke. No, you have not been "there", you never won a title, you got votes from sports writers who were paid off and who were looking for a way to make a statement. You played a schedule that was weakest in the history of college football. You never played in a national championship game, never ever, and you won't get close to "there" not now, not ever. But you just keep on spinning those tales, keeps your minds in full gear for sure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
robbybobby, I am Carilina fan and alumni, but Clemson did win a National Championship in football in 1981 and were perrenial powerhouses throughout most of the 80's.
http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/po...
October 14, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sptiger (anonymous) says...
bobbin-robby - a clever nickname for what he does with his male friends!!! just kidding, but no really.
do you realize that the incoherent nonsensical babble you post has made you the bigriver of carolina fans! even sbs can put up logical posts that can stir insightful and thought out debate.
go to the website your fellow usc poster linked above and do some historical research on clemson before you make unvalidated claims out of shear jealousy and spite of clemson. you sir are a moron.
October 14, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
I think what the guy was trying to say that the probation that was put upon Clemson and the national title are very tainted by the probation. If I remember correctly the last of the infractions occurred in 1983 at which time Clemson was put on probation. Again if I'm not mistaken Clemson was an ACC powerhouse until 1988 when the recruits they paid for were all gone and probation did some harm on the numbers they could bring in, however after that they won the ACC until FSU got in the mix. Bottom line I think he was basically saying that the one time Clemson was in the national spotlight was because of serious recruiting violations.
October 14, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
We were a powerhouse up to 1991 goofy, you guys have and never will be anything even with one of the best coaches in the history of football. Question for the chickens , who will be your new DADDY since your old one Tommy is gone ?
October 14, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
I'm sorry I couldn't remember exactly how long the paying recruits paid dividends for Clemson.
Hey maybe the next coach won't call other coaches to figure out what's wrong with his team. Maybe he'll do his job and figure it out himself.
"you guys have and never will be anything even with one of the best coaches in the history of football."
And here I though Ms. Cleo was still in jail.
October 14, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
"powerhouse" and "clemzun" are oxymorons, you know, they don't go together. "average" and "clempson" have a better fit. Just right. Just average, always and forever. Maybe the next coach can average 8 wins.
October 14, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tiggerlady (anonymous) says...
you carolina fans seemed to have forgotten how clemson has owned you..63-17....plus i would be worried to who we bring in....they will own you as well.
October 14, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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