Locksley interviews at Clemson

Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley has been interviewed by Clemson according to at least two outlets -- the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette.

Locksley's name first came up for the Syracuse opening but Clemson seems a much better fit. The program is ready to win now and Locksley brings an impressive offensive resume. He opened up the Washington, D.C. area to Illinois from where it plucked 2007 All-American Vontae Davis and receiver Arrellious Benn.

The interview reportedly took place in Detroit two weeks ago when the Illini were there to play Western Michigan. Illinois concludes its regular season Saturday at Northwestern needing a win to become bowl eligible.

celtics120 Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 11, 2006	Posted on: November 21, 2008 6:01 pm Score: 82 Locksley interviews at Clemson Hmmm...nice to see he's busy interviewing while we're struggling to get a bowl bid. Oh year, we lost to Western Michigan too that day. =( [ Reply to Comment ]
Blazer8311 Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Jan 9, 2007	Posted on: November 21, 2008 6:51 pm Score: 89 This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator
ZeKe038 Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 25, 2007	Posted on: November 21, 2008 7:06 pm Score: 53 Locksley interviews at Clemson Good riddance! As I see it, he has helped with recruiting, but come on! His game management and play calling is horrible, I am sorry, I meant high school. Chief for Ever! [ Reply to Comment ]
tryptophaniac Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Nov 18, 2008	Posted on: November 21, 2008 7:39 pm Score: 33 Locksley interviews at Clemson I have confirmation that Tulsa coach Todd Graham is going to be the next coach at TEnnessee [ Reply to Comment ]
GoTerps96 Reputation: 82 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 8, 2007	Posted on: November 21, 2008 7:44 pm Score: 82 Locksley interviews at Clemson Wow...do you remember where you were before Zook and Locksley got there?? You are extremely short-sighted to say good riddance...don't bite the hand that feeds you. Locksley by all accounts has been responsible for bringing in talent to the program. If players can't execute properly everyone looks bad, maybe the players should start taking more responsibility (ehhmmm Juice) and receivers dropping balls all over the field. It is foolish to blame the OC when the D can't stop anyone...btw I thought the head coach was responsible for game management?? Locksley will bring an infusion of talent to any program and he will be sorely missed by Illinois. [ Reply to Comment ]
Hoosier Daddy 4 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 17, 2008	Posted on: November 21, 2008 8:23 pm Score: 91 Locksley interviews at Clemson How low has Clemson fallen? It appears based on Locksley's resume that he's a good recruiter in a defined geographic area. Are those the minimal credentials that's required to take the keys of a highly regarded ACC program? If anyone's checked recently the Big Ten (I'm an alumni of 2 schools) doesn't have great offensive powerhouses. Add to that is Illinois is a middle of the pack team in a weak offensive conference. If it weren't for their athletic QB Juice Williams the Illini would be at the bottom of a bad conference. Come on Clemson you're better than that!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
ILLINI-Sergeant Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 3, 2008	Posted on: November 21, 2008 9:47 pm Score: 35 Locksley interviews at Clemson Daddy - I agree, Clemson should have gone out and looked for something a little better. Having said that, there is a great talent pool in the DC area that he can bring and he has been shackled by the fact that the Illini running game is all but non-existent this year. I was there at the Pentagon for 7 years and the talent that is put out there is phenomenal and way under perused. If Mendenhall had returned, which I bet now he wish he had, then it would have been a different story for the play calling. I do have to give him (Locksley) credit for what he has been able to accomplish with that but I am not sure he is ready for a program like Clemson. I think we are starting to see the money crunch here, I mean look at all the heads turn when Clemson decided to let Bowden go with all that money left, now Tennessee of all places is looking at Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly as their next "major splash" (according to Dodd). I would like to see Locksley stay w/ the Illini but I'm sure for the money we are paying him we can find an equivalent if not better OC to fill that position. [ Reply to Comment ]
ZeKe038 Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 25, 2007	Posted on: November 21, 2008 11:57 pm Score: 57 Locksley interviews at Clemson Short sighted? You are right! Look what Zook and Locksley did at Florida; all the talent in the world and could not win the big one there. They both got ran out of town after winning 8 games; then FLA won the national championship...I do not have aproblem with Zook; great guy, but tell me Terp, how many ILLINI games have you seen from the Baltimore shores or the Washington beltway? How about being up at Wisconson by 10 in the second half to loose; how about loosing to Western Michigan afterout gaining them by 150 yrds and putting yourself on the 15 in the end and cant get it in the end zone; how about loosing at home to Minnesotaafter outgaining them by 200 yrds. So please do not tel me about being short sighted, you canot see past the Maryland boarder. Great coaches do not go one and done...short sighted [ Reply to Comment ]
ZeKe038 Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 25, 2007	Posted on: November 22, 2008 12:11 am Score: 60 Locksley interviews at Clemson I am sorry! You are right, short sighted....do you recall what happened to Zook and Locksley at Florida? All the talent in the world and could not win the big one....they both were run out of town after winning 8 games; then Florida won the national championship, but your are SO RIGHT, they can recruite. Obviously you have not seen an ILLINI game from beyond the Maryland shores or the Washington beltway and you talk about short sighted. I guess you seen Locksley's play calling when we lost at home to Minnesota...out gained them by 200 yards and juice had over 550 yds himself; blew it in the end. Up by 10 in the second half at Camp Randell and blew it...but you probabley do not know where that is. Did you see the Western Michiagan game? They crushed them overall, but blew it in the end calling draws and screens on the Bronco 15 yard lind with 30 seconds in the game and no time outs.... Great coaches do not go one and done...short sighted [ Reply to Comment ]
ZX10R06 Reputation: 88 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 5, 2006	Posted on: November 22, 2008 8:47 am Score: 82 Locksley interviews at Clemson Locksley's interview is what it is ... and interview. As it stands right now, he hasn't made the short list and most likely won't. There are too many other candidates with HC experience and proven records drawing far more interest. The job at Clemson is Swinney's for the taking plus he has two weeks to pad his resume. TDP is playing his cards close for now! [ Reply to Comment ]

Dennis Dodd

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