What can Clemson do to turn jeers into cheers?
By Larry Williams
CLEMSON — Five games into a season that began with bountiful promise, Tommy Bowden finds himself being booed off his own field after a loss to what was, by all accounts, an inferior team that didn't play particularly well.
Five games into a season Clemson entered in the top 10, Clemson has won three games and lost two. The Tigers are 1-1 in the ACC, a league they were forecast to own this year.
Bowden's job security wasn't thought to be an issue entering his 10th season. If this keeps up, it could very much be an issue.
As Bowden pointed out after
Saturday's deflating, exasperating 20-17 defeat to Maryland, seven games remain in the regular season; plenty of time for him to pull off one of those signature turnarounds that have kept him here this long.
But it's safe to say this isn't what Bowden and athletic director Terry Don Phillips had in mind last December, when they announced a fat contract extension for the coach in the wake of his flirtation with Arkansas.
"We're not backing off," Phillips said that day. "We're in the best position probably in a long time to be able to make that move and go to the upper level … We think we're poised to get to that level."
Having come agonizingly close to reaching the ACC title game the past three seasons, Clemson hasn't made much of a case that it'll finally break through this year. The Tigers suffered a 34-10 humiliation against Alabama in the season opener, a game that was supposed to certify Bowden's team as a contender.
After three consecutive victories — two over lower-division opponents South Carolina State and The Citadel — the Tigers on Saturday followed a dominant first half with an inept second half, squandering a 17-6 lead and leaving fans howling as they left Death Valley.
For the seventh time as a ranked team under Bowden, the Tigers lost to an unranked team at home. Clemson's next game is a Thursday night clash at Wake Forest on Oct. 9.
Said tailback C.J. Spiller: "We know we're going to take a lot of criticism — from the outside, from the media, from everyone else."
Bowden's history at Clemson makes it unwise to dismiss the prospect of a turnaround. His firing seemed almost certain in 2003 after his Tigers went to Wake Forest and suffered a 45-17 pasting to drop to 5-4. They responded by winning their last four games in convincing fashion and finished 9-4.
The Tigers started 2-3 in 2005 but won six of their last seven to finish 8-4. Last year, five wins in the last six regular-season games assured Clemson its third nine-win season in 14 years.
The problem this year — a problem brought forth in large part by last December's contract extension — is that nine wins is no longer good enough. And eight wins most definitely isn't good enough.
Bowden, who's still seeking the program's first ACC title since 1991, was rewarded more on potential than production when he signed a contract that extended him through 2014 while bumping his guaranteed pay to more than $1.8 million annually.
The Tigers have no shortage of talent. Quarterback Cullen Harper, tailback James Davis and Spiller finished 1-2-3 in the ACC's preseason player of the year voting.
"I do believe," Bowden said at the news conference announcing his extension, "with what's been accomplished the last three years, the stability of the program, the elevation of the talent, what we have returning, what we have redshirted, what we have committed in the recruiting process right now — that we can achieve the goals of a championship. I wish I could sit here and tell you when.
"I don't know when, but I do know it is possible and it will happen."
The further Clemson seems from that goal, the more abundant and vociferous the calls will be for Bowden's ouster.
The buyout in his contract is $4 million, but that figure drops to $3.5 million after Dec. 1. And, according to the fine print in the agreement, Clemson would owe Bowden the money "in equal semi-annual payments" over the remaining years of the contract.
No doubt the contract talk is premature less than halfway through the season. Bowden might still orchestrate a dramatic turnaround and turn all these jeers to cheers.
But at this point, everything appears to be very much in play — even Bowden's job.
Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
tgrfan2 (anonymous) says...
Clemson has to decide now what is going to happen to right this ship. It has been something every year and it will be something again. Clemson came out to be physical and played Clemson football until 3rd and 2 at the eight.
It reminded me of the Duke game when Clemson moved down the field on the first possession with the I and a nice pass only to switch to the spread with 1st and goal and settle for a FG.
Mike O'Cain fell on the sword for TB on that one and got a knife in the back! It is time TB and RS are held accountable.
September 29, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jwabell (anonymous) says...
Inferior opponent? Maryland has equal skill players to Clemson... some might argue better receivers and a better offensive line. As soon as MD adjusted and moved a fourth man near the line of scrimage, the tide turned and MD outplayer Clemson. Maryland is 4-1 and has wins over top 20 Cal and Clemson the last three weeks... give me a break and quit drinking the kool aid!!
September 29, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Clemsurf (anonymous) says...
The problem is not the offensive line. They have looked very good the last two games. The problem is Rob Spence. Why do you abandon the run after the first half? You're winning and you racked up almost 200 yards rushing....IN THE FIRST HALF!!! Stick with it. Obviously Cullen Harper can no longer throw downfield anymore. Ever since his shoulder injury last year, he has not been the same. I have been one of the few who has stuck behind Harper but now it really may be time to give Korn a start. Shake it up and see what happens. Also, the holding penalties. My God. It wasn't even the line that was holding. The stupid receivers. And if they don't quit throwing those stupid bubble screens! Sheesh.
September 29, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
The root problem is unrealistic expectations for a football program that never beats good teams. Not sure who the rocket scientist was who determined the tiggers were a top 10 team (sappycough??) with a shot at the title, albeit the a she she, which is not a big deal. The orange kool aid drinking robot fans buy into this nonsense every year, pretend they are capable of "the next level" (whatever that means), and bemoan the lack of their team being "physical" and "playing clemson football". Guess what - all teams are physical and the tiggers are actually playing clemson football, which is to say they are losing to good teams. willie crack corn, where are you? So hang in there tiggers, you will win your 8 or 9 games against a cream puff schedule, go to a mundane bowl, win (unless you play a good team), and have all winter to wonder (sort of you own personal winter wonder land) how much longer tammy will be there. Life is good.
September 29, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
Chokers! Gaaagg! Almost as bad as the Lamecocks.
September 29, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ConcernedinCHS (anonymous) says...
Where is bigriver when you need him, Hey bigriver what are you going say when Clemson loses the next three to:
Wake Forest
Georgia Tech
Boston College
September 29, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
Jwabell Maryland lost to Middle Tennesse State.
September 29, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterbug (anonymous) says...
great post jwabell. Article reads like a history lesson vice a sports one.
September 29, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
They sure beat the hell out of USC by a field goal last year. I think it will be close again unless USC defense falls apart like last year at the end of the season.
September 29, 2008 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigriver1 (anonymous) says...
Clemson may suck but one thing you can count on, they will ROLL the LAMECOCKS like a cheap cigar in november just like they always have for the last 100+ years. LOL. What is it now 10 out of the last 12? LOL. RW good win for your team saturday.
September 29, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sptiger (anonymous) says...
its always a close game. one could be undefeated while the other is winless and it would still be close. the 63-17 games will always be few and far between and its almost unfortunate that the last one occured during the 03 season when bowden came closest to getting canned. hopefully he doesn't find a way to save his neck and this contingency fund that Terry Don claims to have does indeed exist. allowing him to go to Arkansas even though it probably would not have happened would have been the cheapest way to a new beginning. instead clemson gets another season of high hopes under tommy bowden's house of cards. here's hoping to things improving but i won't miss the inconsistency of the TB era and i highly doubt anyone other than James Barker himself will......
September 29, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
froglegs (anonymous) says...
Fire Tommy and Rob S. and hire D. Sweeney as the new head coach. He is the real reason why we have the players we do. If Buckholtz didn't make that kick against Carolina last year we wouldn't even be having this discussion right now because Tommy would have been gone. It is time for him to GO!
September 29, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebel1 (anonymous) says...
Thank GOD for rev tammy. he's all USC has. A few of the tiggers have figured it out, they are winning 7-9 games a year but look who they are beating. As far as why the tiggers quit running the ball, maryland changed there "D". Geez, even a van driving, hockey mom could figure that out.
September 29, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefoot (anonymous) says...
"The problem this year - a problem brought forth in large part by last December's contract extension - is that nine wins is no longer good enough. And eight wins most definitely isn't good enough."
My blood runneth orange, and I have been a Tiger fan since birth. However, I am sick and tired of hearing that "nine wins is no longer good enough" or that "all the fans want is more than an 8 or 9 win season".
I can't speak for the rest of the Tiger nation, but in my case, I want to win the games that we should be winning and have the players and coaches giving 125% effort.
If we do both of those, the rest will follow.
September 29, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TAR1 (anonymous) says...
I wonder what coaches TB is calling today to SEE what went wrong?????
September 29, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
driftwood (anonymous) says...
The only real solution is to get rid of CTB, he has taken the program as far as he can and has done some good things. He has improved the facilites and brought in better national recruits to Clemson. However he needs to step aside at the end of the year and CU needs to go after a young energetic guy like Muschamps at Texas Sarkisian at USC or Kiffin
September 29, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notafan (anonymous) says...
I bet Clemson nation loves having two fans like RW and bigriver step up for them. Both claim to be Auburn and Oklahomo fans (two stretches there) but focus 99% of their time bashing Carolina. Personally I despise Clemson and Georgia but don't spend a majority of time on them. They are not worth it.
bigriver- calls a Carolina player a thug for defending himself after being sucker punched but thinks its okay for his beloved Sooner football players to start a bar fight with knifes, and crow bars. Do you really think anything of importance could come from a fool with this thought process?
RW how many times has Auburn been on probation for academic and recruiting viloations? But I guess you overlooked that one. Selective memory must be a wonderful thing. Obviously big river and RW have it mastered.
Its because of fools like these two that we are going to have Obama the socialist for a president. Thanks guys
As for Clemson, I cannot believe they lost this weekend. I just hope that both Carolina and Clemson finish strong so the last game of the year is not at 12:30. Early games suck!! I would like to see them at 7:45 ESPN....
September 29, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notafan (anonymous) says...
OK according to you Carolina sucks and everyone knows it now why dont't you just shut the hell up and leave it alone? What good does your constant trashing of Carolina prove? It must fill some other void in your life.
Obama will be president because because their are fools out there who actually believe his whole "change" slogan.
September 29, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OldSalt (anonymous) says...
notafan,
There are more than a few Clemson and South Carolna fans standing on ledges and bridges contemplating their mortality. Now is NOT the time to bring up the prospect of an Obama presidency...unless of course it's one of the coaches.
September 29, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ghivan (anonymous) says...
Once again we see a TB coached team that doesn't show up for the 2nd half. It's hard to win games when you can only play 30 minutes of football. Time for TB to move on.
September 29, 2008 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OldSalt (anonymous) says...
Announcer: "Ladies and gentleman, giving his frist Innaugural Address, President Barrack Hussein Obama."
OldSalt: "Geranimoooooooooooooooooooooo...."
September 29, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
The chickens are back posting after there great victory over mighty uab, I guess they better do it now because they know the orange crush is coming .
Oct. 20, 2007 Vanderbilt L 17-6 6-2 (3-2)
Oct. 27, 2007 at Tennessee L 27-24 6-3 (3-3)
Nov. 3, 2007 at Arkansas L 48-36 6-4 (3-4)
Nov. 10, 2007 Florida L 51-31 6-5 (3-5)
Nov. 24, 2007 Clemson (your DADDY ) L 23-21 6-6
2008 should be even better
September 29, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Nonsense (anonymous) says...
All you Clemson cry babies - when you get so frustrated that all you have to talk about is how you're going to beat up on Carolina at the end of the year (even by a last minute field goal) - some of you need to grow a set and get rid of Tommy Bowden and his pathetic spin - wow - he's 3-1 against Spurrier - which is all that is keeping him his job. The next few games will show whether the man is really a coach - or whether he was dumped on the Bowden doorstep - wait a minute - the family is full of unemployed former coaches anyway.
September 29, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
No crying here when this year is over I am confident we will have a good year ,we lost to a real SEC team Bama that is for real and yes we lost to maryland but we gave that one away. We will turn it arround and you guys will not only be Vandys and UGAs bitch but you will also lose to everyone on your schudule except ole miss and thats a big maybe .
September 29, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
So enjoy your little victory because you wont get many more and watch as the old ball coach has his career destroyed at your loser school like all the others before him .
September 29, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
surfer (anonymous) says...
actually he's 2-1 against Spurrier. Let's not put the cart before the horse.
September 29, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Thank you for your interest in this story. The comment thread for this article has been closed.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- UPDATE: Missing woman's fiance seen leaving scene of burned SUV, carrying a shovel
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- Magnolia Gardens offering free dream wedding to contest winner
- Body of missing woman's fiance was found near handgun
- Pinterest: Pinning hopes and dreams
- DAVID SLADE: S.C. offers hybrid car tax credit
- Black women today: Strong. Resilient. Ambitious.
- Ex-Boeing worker claims racism, retaliation in firing
- MCDERMOTT COLUMN: Golf business has risks, rewards
