Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden

I'm told that Clemson will pay its next coach between $1.25 million and $1.75 million.

The biggest reason, the school can't afford to go get a bigger name coach and pay him $2 million-$3 million per year. The school will probably spend in the neighborhood of $6 million to get rid of Tommy Bowden. They owe him a $3.5 million buyout starting Dec. 1. That will come in six installments.

"These buyout figures are like a prenuptial agreement ... " agent Mike Brown told me on Monday. "There's no bean counter that comes up with an Excel spread sheet. For the athletic director it's, 'What number can I live with if I fire you?'

"If you are going to make a change, it impacts you on the quality of guy you can go get. I don't see them (Clemson) going out and paying a guy who can be in the $2 to $3 milion category. Most of those guys making $1.5 or $2 million might have a buyout equal to that amout."

So what's the answer for Clemson?

Will Muschamp, defensive coordinator, Texas -- The toast of Texas after helping beat Oklahoma, Muschamp had been mentioned for the job before Tommy Bowden left. At age 36, is he ready to become a head coach? Making $425,000 per year, Muschamp comes affordable too.

Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt -- Not many know BJ is a Clemson grad. If he was going to leave, this would be the time. His stock will never be higher.

Skip Holtz, East Carolina -- Familiar in South Carolina after helping his dad with the Gamecocks. He was the hottest name in the country until a recent slide by the Pirates.

Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee -- solid coach familiar with Clemson.

Bud Foster, defensive coordinator, Virginia Tech -- If Clemson is tired of going the offensive route, Foster is their guy. He is one of the top defensive minds in the country and is more than ready to take over his own program.

Dabo Swinney, receivers coach, Clemson -- the new interim could be the guy. He's affordable and accomplished at Clemson. Swinney reportedly helped land running back C.J. Spiller. A former Alabama walk-on, Swinney knows how to work. He was Tommy's assistant head coach before being tapped on Monday.

Todd Graham, Tulsa -- the genius behind Tulsa's mind-blowing offense isn't a man to be tied down. He left Rice after one season and now has Tulsa as one of the nation's 10 undefeated teams. If Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips wanted to energize the program, this is his man.

Brent Venables, defensive coordinator, Oklahoma -- Bob Stoops no doubt would give his blessing for his long-time assistant to take this job. Venables defensive credentials are top notch. Get him a top offensive coordinator and Clemson would take off.

Dennis,

Re: Todd Graham, he and his staff are clearly doing an outstanding job at Tulsa. From what I can see Graham is a terrific coach - seems to know how to set the tone, get the kids to believe, etc. TU's attitude and toughness seem even better than what Kragthorpe was able to instill (which was huge compared to he had inherited). But I'm not sure Graham's the offensive genius. (a) he was the defensive coordinator at TU for several years under Kragthorpe. (b) Rice wasn't putting up the amazing offensive numbers when he was there in '06 (pretty good but well short of spectacular).

I would submit that the person most responsible for TU's tremendous offense last year and this is probably Gus Malzahn, whom Graham brought in as offensive coordinator after Houston Nutt was forced out at Arkansas. Never really got to show his stuff at Arkansas since Nutt wanted to feature McFadden and Jones (and who can blame him for that).

TheMountainMan Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 18, 2006	Posted on: October 13, 2008 3:06 pm Score: 77 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden You might throw Tony Franklin into the mix as well. He ran a successful program at Troy before running into the unrealistic expectations of the folks at Auburn. I think Franklin would do well at Clemson, and he's already tapped into the recruiting network in the south... [ Reply to Comment ]
corona79 Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 3, 2006	Posted on: October 13, 2008 4:56 pm Score: 86 I don't care about the money I'd take the Clemson job for a measly one million dollars a year! [ Reply to Comment ]
jasonprice82 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 26, 2008	Posted on: October 13, 2008 6:04 pm Score: 93 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden The samething that would have been done to Houston Nutt was done to Tommy Bowden. Look up the history of Arkansas and all the athletes come out of Arkansas... and compare it to Clemson. They're very similiar... if Clemson was in the SEC it would be Arkansas... Clemson isn't going to win the ACC year in and year out and be a powerhouse football team. Tommy Bowden should have never left Tulane and he could have gotten all that talent from LSU.... plus he could have built a powerhouse football team like his dad did at Florida State.. made a name for himself and became a legacy.... look at Dennis Franchoine at TCU... and all the other coaches leaving colleges for bigger ones.. Rich Rod leaving West Virginia for Michigan... sooner or later they'll realize it's better for them to stay put. [ Reply to Comment ]
pn21250 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 16, 2007	Posted on: October 13, 2008 8:00 pm Score: 90 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden I'd say pony up and get Brian Kelly from Cincinnati. Every school he's been at is better becaus he was there, and success at those school has been substantiated. My alma mater and current school, Grand Valley (grad school), hasn't lost 3 times in the last 4 years. Regardless of result, I guarantee you this: A Brian Kelly coached team will never suck, and never get outcoached. [ Reply to Comment ]
Southpaws Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 14, 2006	Posted on: October 13, 2008 8:03 pm Score: 83 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden Come on, dad. You've got to be kidding me. First, Larry Blakeney runs the program at Troy, not Franklin. Secondly, the unrealistic expectations at Auburn? I guess you are right. AU wanted more than five touchdowns in six games out of its offense. [ Reply to Comment ]
gatordude_1 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 17, 2006	Posted on: October 13, 2008 8:11 pm Score: 90 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden sooner or later they'll realize it's better for them to stay put. Well, we disgruntled ones have an awesome, no, simply Greeaaattt solution to Clemson's need. And there's no buyout clause from this end. Herm Edwards. Fresh face. Fresh outlook on recruiting. ( but Ma, he knows what it takes at the next level.....). In fact so fresh, I haven't the slightest clue as to when he has had the opportunity to sit in a living room with mommy, daddy, the "kid", and lil sis in the corner. I am confident he will do well. Count Hermy. Don't leave home without him...... [ Reply to Comment ]
CUTigerman Reputation: 88 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 27, 2006	Posted on: October 13, 2008 11:01 pm Score: 84 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden I agree that Bud Foster would be great. I also think you need to look at some pro coaches like Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. If Michigan is regreting hiring Rich Rod we could take him off their hands. [ Reply to Comment ]
Lambert Lunatic Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 29, 2006	Posted on: October 14, 2008 12:37 am Score: 93 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden "These buyout figures are like a prenuptial agreement ... " agent Mike Brown told me on Monday. "There's no bean counter that comes up with an Excel spread sheet. For the athletic director it's, 'What number can I live with if I fire you? Mike Brown.....hmmmmmm...wasnt this the same agent RR had.... Funny how he is in favor of the buy out when it helps his client and against it when it is favorable for the school his client leaves hanging in the wind! On to Bowden leaving though...it seemed for years he was on the hot seat and would get that one win that would save his job! I guess with the elevated expectations this year the 3-3 start just didnt cut it! [ Reply to Comment ]
sunonomo Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jun 5, 2007	Posted on: October 14, 2008 9:25 am Score: 82 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden Let's get serious. $1.25-million to $1.75-million per year is a lot of jack. Plus, don't discount the benefit package (would the coach be a State employee?!?) (imagine the pension he'll get out of that deal - if he stays for 5 years, he'll bring home $120,000 per year when he retires at the ripe old age of 60...) (OMG! if he stays 20 years, and "retires" at 60, it'll be $478,000 per year in pension!!!) Anyway, to raise the money for the new coach's salary, I presume they'll raise tuition - that works out to about $150 per student per year, not counting what they'll have to pay Bowden to leave. Plus, they'll probably have to hire new coaching staff for the new coach. No clue what that would work out to be, but a conservative guess would be another couple of million dollars. So, the students would get a nice tuition hike of somewhere around $500 per year, and the school gambles on yet another set of coaches. What EXACTLY does the head coach do, anyway? if the offense is run by the offensive coordinator, the defense is run by the defensive coordinator, and the receivers, quarterbacks, runningbacks, DL, OL, etc. all have their own coaches, Sounds like the head coach is a manager. If Bowden is a half-way decent manager, why not fire the folks directly responsible for Clemson's lack of performance? Much as I dislike Bowden, wouldn't it be cheaper to get some new offensive coaches? Aren't they directly responsible for the lack of offensive performance anyway? BTW, I can start tomorrow as the new Clemson head coach at $1,000,000. I don't have any experience managing football players (and coaches), but I do manage engineers and supervise technicians.... [ Reply to Comment ]
tulsagator99 Reputation: 43 Level: Rookie Since: Dec 3, 2006	Posted on: October 14, 2008 12:16 pm Score: 78 Behind Clemson and Tommy Bowden Dennis, Re: Todd Graham, he and his staff are clearly doing an outstanding job at Tulsa. From what I can see Graham is a terrific coach - seems to know how to set the tone, get the kids to believe, etc. TU's attitude and toughness seem even better than what Kragthorpe was able to instill (which was huge compared to he had inherited). But I'm not sure Graham's the offensive genius. (a) he was the defensive coordinator at TU for several years under Kragthorpe. (b) Rice wasn't putting up the amazing offensive numbers when he was there in '06 (pretty good but well short of spectacular). I would submit that the person most responsible for TU's tremendous offense last year and this is probably Gus Malzahn, whom Graham brought in as offensive coordinator after Houston Nutt was forced out at Arkansas. Never really got to show his stuff at Arkansas since Nutt wanted to feature McFadden and Jones (and who can blame him for that). [ Reply to Comment ]

Dennis Dodd

Dodds and Ends