'Living in a cave' just how it is for Bowden

CLEMSON — Walk down the halls of the football office and you see rooms marked "Outside Linebackers" and "Offensive Linemen" and "Quarterbacks."

Inside each room it's dark, the lights are out, a video plays on a screen as coaches huddle, studying each play, each player.

This is how coaches spend most of their time, breaking down film of the opponent. Technology has made it simpler and quicker, but the work still must be done. In the dark.

Then, about four or five times a week, guys like Tommy Bowden walk into a room where the lights are bright, cameras are running, people are asking questions.

Between post-game interviews and teleconferences and radio shows and weekly press conferences, college football coaches are scrutinized more often and in more detail than our politicians or captains of industry.

"I try to be as honest as I can with y'all," the Clemson coach said as he squinted at the media who gathered for his regular Tuesday news conference. "But my top priority is saying and doing things that motivate the team. Y'all have a different priority.

"So when I come in here, everything I say and do is geared toward getting those guys ready to play. I live in a cave."

Thick skin

Focus is what football is all about. During the week, when the game plan is planned, coaches wear blinders. They usually don't know what year it is.

But if you're the head coach, you have to crawl out of the cave once in a while and answer questions. Probing, personal and theoretical questions.

Bowden is better at it than most. He grew up at the knee of his famous football father, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, and has always had an understanding about the press and fan expectations.

"I've got a pretty solid foundation in my life about what's most important and what's really, really important," the Tigers coach said. "But you have to have thick skin in this profession."

Which he does. During his 10 seasons at Clemson, even after an unexpected loss to Duke, Bowden has always been accessible, accountable and quotable. Steve Spurrier is the same way.

From where we sit, you have to admire that.

On Tuesday, Bowden addressed topics ranging from his quarterback's interception rate, special teams play, being nationally ranked, his team's state of mind, the use of freshmen linemen, Maryland's defensive schemes, playing FCS opponents, losing to the Terps two years ago, to fan behavior.

Does it ever get to him?

"I know y'all have a job to do," Bowden said. "And I really don't read the local papers. I read USA Today because I like politics. And my name usually is not in there."

Living in a cave

Truth is, even though the papers and airwaves and chat rooms continuously hum with the ebb and flow of a football season, coaches are pretty much oblivious to it all.

"I get briefed before press conferences about what topics are likely to come up. What the bloggers are saying, Bowden said. "The beat writers usually keep me updated on what's being said."

Bowden said he also gets a lot of e-mail from fans. His secretary said he gets about 30 a day, which she sorts through and sends to him only the nice ones.

"If they have an IPTAY (booster club) number, I call them back," Bowden said. "But I'm like John McCain — I've never actually answered an e-mail myself."

Asked if the Internet has changed the media landscape for better or worse, Bowden said, "That depends on whether you win or lose."

He added that the anonymity of the Internet has added a different dimension to the exchange with media.

"I think it's tougher on us (coaches) because you can put things on there that you don't have to substantiate as truth," he said. "You don't have to sign your name. Then they snowball pretty quick."

Tough place

So, does any of this ever make him mad?

"Nah," Bowden said. "I'm very lucky to be involved a profession where patience, perseverance and thick skin, you better have it. You might survive at another school, but don't come to Clemson without it.

"This is a tough place. I've always said it's got a touch of Alabama and Auburn, a touch of the SEC. That's what attracts coaches to this school. It expects and demands success at a high rate. That's why I'm kind of disappointed in myself because I haven't given the people what they really, really want — which is an undefeated and unscored on team every year."

With that, everybody laughed and packed up their cameras, microphones and note pads. The coach went back to his cave, until the next time.

Reach Ken Burger at kburger@postandcourier.com.