Coaches looking for opinions

CLEMSON -- Dabo Swinney refers to a group of orange-clad elders that attend his press conferences as his "cabinet."

Some in Tiger Nation have questioned a portion of Swinney's actual cabinet selections. And coaching staffs around the ACC have received heightened attention in recent weeks as Internet reports suggest discord and divergent opinions in Tallahassee, Fla., and the Upstate.

It brings into question cabinet creation. Is it more productive to have a team of rivals or a team of ideologues?

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, who brings his first-place Demon Deacons (4-2, 2-1 ACC) to Clemson (2-3, 1-2) at noon Saturday, said debate is healthy for a football staff.

"I never wanted an assistant football coach that wouldn't give you his input," said Grobe, who's in his ninth season at Wake. "You hire the two best coordinators you can find with experience, but those guys always need input.

"You don't want guys that belabor a point to the extent they don't bend at all, but at the same time you want guys that are going to add ideas. But once a coordinator or head coach picks out a direction, then you have to have a group of guys that have good character and want the team to be first and say 'let's go.' ''

Florida State's embattled coach Bobby Bowden has made scores of hires throughout a lengthy, successful career.

"You don't want 'yes' men," Bowden said. "You want guys giving their opinion."

In contrast, Swinney is the youngest head coach in the ACC and constructed his first coaching staff over the offseason.

He agrees with Bowden's and Grobe's cabinet philosophy and says there are free exchanges of ideas between Clemson's coaches.

An exchange between Swinney and Billy Napier on the practice field last week fueled Internet reports about a rift in their relationship, but Swinney and Napier shot down reports of a feud and a play-calling power struggle.

"Everybody has freedom to voice opinions that is something you really encourage as a leader," Swinney said. "I don't want a bunch of guys that just sit there and agree … You want guys that are thinking. But now when we make a decision it's all-in."

Swinney said he likes the mixture of youth and experience on his staff.

"Dan Brooks has been around. Woody (McCorvey) has been around a long time; he has a unique perspective with me," Swinney said. "Kevin Steele has worked for a lot of coaches … and has seen a lot of things. Then I have some good young guys on the staff who are going to be guys coaching a long, long time.

"When we have something we gotta deal with, we get a lot of opinions."

Swinney's sweeping staff changes resulted in a defense with veteran, outside leadership in Steele coming from Alabama to coordinate the group and coach linebackers, and the 58-year-old Brooks, coming via Tennessee to coach the defensive front.

Swinney's offensive staff is comprised of youth and familiarity, with the 30-year-old Napier promoted from tight ends coach to coordinator, Brad Scott remaining in charge of the offensive line, and Scott's son, Jeff, promoted to receivers coach.

Internet reports question Napier's autonomy in running the offense, though Napier says it's "not a problem."

What has been a problem is offensive production.

The Tigers rank 102nd in the country in total yardage, though their rating is tied at least in part to an inexperienced quarterback.

While the offensive staff is young, Swinney said he has experience to lean on in Steele, who was a head coach at Baylor. Swinney often sits in on defensive meetings to study offense through a different perspective.

"Just so you get different ideas and opinions on things," Swinney said. "I love sitting in there with the defensive coaches and watching film with them. I enjoy that as much as anything."

With a 2-3 start, Swinney said perceptions have been created, but he is working in "reality," a reality that includes Swinney being pleased with the performance of his staff.

"We are all on the same page," Swinney said. "Everyone believes in each other and what we are trying to do."

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.