TigerNet -- Blogs -- Mickey Plyler's Blog

Can You Afford It?
This week I have corresponded to many Clemson fans and to no one’s surprise all were upset about the game on Saturday night. I visit internet sites and can see the upset fans after almost every loss for almost every team on the country. I can’t remember a Clemson loss in the last five or so years where some Tiger fans were so disgruntled some called for Bowden to be fired. But in almost every one of the previous losses I could find Bowden supporters in the past but this week is different.

Personally I have not spoken with one person who was back in Bowden’s camp. I am not surprised at the venom but I was surprised at the lack of support on any level for the current head coach.

Most of the phone calls, e-mails and conversations I have had with Tiger supporters have centered around Bowden’s replacement as opposed to the team turning around its season. Most have already conceded that Bowden will not be back in 2008 and have moved on to candidates.

My responses have centered on a few topics:
*First, if we have learned anything it is that you can never count Bowden out. He has come back from bad situations before and this year he could win out and save his job again. While he lost many fans on Saturday, his fate will not be decided at this point. Terry Don Phillips has said he will wait until the end of the year to make his evaluation and that is fair. Bowden has the same opportunity to win back many fans with more wins in the second half of the year.

*Bowden’s biggest hurdle at this point is the seat equity plan unveiled by IPTAY in August. I believe the stadium will be close to full for homecoming against Central Michigan and for the final two home games against Wake Forest and a highly ranked Boston College team. I also believe attendance would not be terrible early next year under the old plan but the new revenue-generating IPTAY Seat Equity Plan is asking for more money from many donors. I am not sure Bowden would excite many donors to dig a little deeper in their pockets next season. Again, I could be wrong and maybe this team can have some huge wins and still win the ACC in 2007 but at this point that does not seem likely. Many have expressed to me that they would not be excited about having to dish out more for the same outlook going into Bowden’s 10th season. I think some in IPTAY would cringe at the idea of trying to spread a positive message if Clemson did not win the Atlantic Division or lost to USC in November.

A 10-2 regular season is a no-brainer in his favor. There is no way he is let go at 10-2. If he went 9-3 with a loss to South Carolina it would be tough but he would have his supporters. At 8-4 I believe he would have to beat South Carolina in one of those eight wins and even then some would not be satisfied. Any record of 7-5 or worse makes Phillips’ decision fairly easy.

*My other main point to those donors that already have their mind made up to go in another direction relates to the administration and the direction of the hire. I do not have total confidence that Clemson would do what it takes to take the program to a higher level if they made a switch.

Bowden is the 38th highest paid coach on college football at $1.19 million per year. He is the seventh highest paid coach in the ACC. Is Clemson ready to invest top dollar for a top name coach? North Carolina did.

I am not saying that I think a big name is the only guy that could win at Clemson if you made the move to oust Bowden but I am saying the IPTAY Seat Equity deal almost calls for that. Could Clemson send out ticket applications and expect huge results if Navy’s Paul Johnson is hired? Don’t get me wrong, Johnson is a fantastic coach but is he enough to get the masses excited when they order the tickets?

There are a limited number of guys that could sell this Seat Equity Plan. It would take a Rich Rodriguez-type hire. The former Clemson offensive coordinator turned down Alabama so would he come to Clemson? If he would how much will it cost? His WVU buyout is reportedly $1.5 million. Bowden’s buyout is $2.5 million. Is Clemson going to invest $4 million in buyouts? Also Rodriguez would probably demand in the range of $2 million if he did listen to an offer. Is this administration serious enough about football to invest $2 million a year into a head coach? You can bet that a new coach will ask for more than five years so would this Clemson administration be winning to go eight or so years in a contract?

I heard Tommy Tuberville’s name the other day. He makes $2.2 million at Auburn. Would Clemson be willing to top that figure? I heard Bobby Petrino’s name but he makes $24 million over five years with the Falcons. Think he would move for a lot less money considering his Louisville contract was 10 years and $25 million?

If the administration decided to hire an assistant coach from Bowden’s staff or any staff in the country do you think that would sell tickets in the new Seat Equity Plan?

Alabama found out last year that the PR of a coaching hire can be bad. They were turned down by several candidates including Nick Saban before he changed his mind. Can Clemson afford to get turned down publically by multiple candidates? Where would Bama have headed if Saban did not come back to their offer of $3.5 million per year?

Speaking of money don’t forget about the multi-year contracts of some assistant coaches already on staff that would not be retained and the even bigger contracts of the new staff that would be coming in.

Another item to consider is the idea of jumping into the $2 million club. Once you go there then there is no turning back. Coaches’ salaries are only going to continue to increase in the future.

Again please remember that the season is not over and the best thing for the program is for Bowden to win out. But if he stumbles in the second half of the season two questions arise. Number 1-Can Clemson afford to fire Bowden and hire a great coach? Number 2-Can Clemson afford to not fire Bowden?

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Comments:

I support the coaches and the players. I was there for Hatfields time and some of West. I like Bowden and think that he does a good job with these STUDENTS, after all his graduation rate is great. I sometimes think that people forget these guys number one job is school then athletics. He can win and has won. This year CF has been weird and shows the growing parity in the sport. Clemson will not pony up for a 2 million a year coach, and would be foolish to pay 4 million in buyouts.

Rich Rodregues isn't coming to CU, neither is Patrino. All these rumors need to stop and the bashing too. These fair weather fans need to shut up and support these young men and coaches until that last second of the season is over. Only then will we see where we are at, and can go from there.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=70163>Saltydog235</a> on October 11, 2007 at 01:54 PM EDT #

Mick, good points. As for 9-3, I think he's safe however it works out. That either means he's beaten SC or gone 6-2 in the conference and likely headed for Jacksonville. So 9-3 definitely keeps his job, IMO. After that, such as 8-4, I think it depends on how the remaining games look and feel, plus the result.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=835>Newberry Tiger</a> on October 11, 2007 at 01:57 PM EDT #

MP,
Good Recap & thanks for the insights & thoughts you have, for many I agree with, and some not.
I'm of the belief that 9 years is a good gauge for results & future expectations...I won't insert here what all the variables are, that have caused the heartaches each year - you've done that previously.
I truly hate we have to have this kind of dialogue....

At some point while this things moves forward in either direction, maybe you could get a snapshot of Admin. expectations both for this remaining year & beyond...they've got to be thinking something....and let's all hope it lines up with what reasonable fans want

Thanks Again

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=19464>orangebloodNC</a> on October 11, 2007 at 01:59 PM EDT #

Addendum. For example 8-4 with the Tigers looking very good over the end of the season (with Korn at the helm, for example), I think he's safe.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=835>Newberry Tiger</a> on October 11, 2007 at 02:00 PM EDT #

Addendum. For example 8-4 with the Tigers looking very good over the end of the season (with Korn at the helm, for example), I think he's safe.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=835>Newberry Tiger</a> on October 11, 2007 at 02:01 PM EDT #

You hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned. I have always been a Bowden supporter, but I am getting tired of our collapse every year and if it doesn't stop here I'm ready for some kind of change. I agree with you in that I'm afraid Clemson won't make a good hire. Sure it's possible to win with an assistant or a head coach at a lower tier school, but the odds are not nearly as good. Clemson cannot afford another Tommy West situation. Also, rest assured that if we go the cheaper route and start winning championships, we will probably lose this coach to a big name school that will most definitely be willing to pony up.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=27562>NCTiger1990</a> on October 11, 2007 at 02:34 PM EDT #

LET'S FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND FOR NOW. WE'VE GOT TIME
TO DO WHAT WILL NEED TO BE DONE WHEN THAT TIME COMES.
FOR NOW, LET'S SUPPORT COACH BOWDEN AND THE REST OF THE
TIGERS.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=10445>RIVERTIGR</a> on October 11, 2007 at 03:14 PM EDT #

Its time to move on folks. This decision should have been made after the consecutive 7 win seasons and the embarassing loses those years. The only thing that has kept Bowden alive is wins over Florida St. and personality. The FSU wins need to be put in context, the context is FSU has stunk most of the years we beat them. The personality is great, it may make the older IPTAY "big" donors happy but it won't get Clemson where it belongs in the top tier of the ACC (which isn't saying much, look at this conference).

Time to move on, and I wish Bowden luck.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=24528>truetiger1998</a> on October 11, 2007 at 03:25 PM EDT #

I support Tommy Bowden...just thought I would go on record with that one.

Another thought - "Bowden is the 38th highest paid coach on college football at $1.19 million per year. He is the seventh highest paid coach in the ACC"

Looks like we are getting a little more than we pay for - we finish higher than 38th most years and higher than 7th in the ACC as well.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=69207>Cookster22</a> on October 11, 2007 at 03:31 PM EDT #

This continued whining and negative discussions does nothing to help the program and no decision will be made now. Why these Whiners keep spewing their glass half empty comments only hurts the program.
I am very disappointed, but i don't belch all this crap. We appear to be such a fickle fan base, only supporting when times are good. I hope he turns it around and if not, the AD will make the decision he has to. I believe Phillips will not make us look too bad as Alabama did, if that is how this turns out.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=1090>dgjtig</a> on October 11, 2007 at 03:42 PM EDT #

That administration will be happy with 7-5 and some crappy bowl. Who are we kidding? Just because the fans want a national championship and the ACC title doesn't mean the admin does. They want a team that contends, but doesn't define the school. The moment we become the team to beat in college football, academics will start to slip, which is against Barkers plan.

Either way, too early to tell now and the fans ultimately do not decide the fate of the Coach. Just like politics, just because you pay the most taxes, doesn't mean you get more of a vote in who represents you.

Let's just win the rest of the games so I can stop worrying about having a heart attack at age 23.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=67061>RobertsonCU</a> on October 11, 2007 at 03:44 PM EDT #

Let's just win the rest of the games so I can stop worrying about having a heart attack at age 23.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=67061>RobertsonCU</a> on October 11, 2007 at 03:47 PM EDT #

> The moment we become the team to beat in college
> football, academics will start to slip, which is against
> Barkers plan.

Except that Barker's 10-year plan also called for another national championship in college football, if you recall.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=16701>grover173</a> on October 11, 2007 at 04:17 PM EDT #

Mickey - I know you are much closer to this than I am, but I just do not see it. I think Bowden stays with anything more than 6 wins.

As far as the seat equity plan, there are a lot of people out there(myself included) that would gladly slide into the more expensive seats with Bowden still here. It is a lifetime investment to get the better seats, not a one year "statement" on the football coach.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=32390>express13</a> on October 11, 2007 at 05:11 PM EDT #

To finish my thought(accidentally hit post) - Bowden's commitment to character and grades will keep him here. I do not think that TDP/Barker will want to send any kind of message that could be interpreted as a return to "the good old days" before we tried to balance academics and athletics.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=32390>express13</a> on October 11, 2007 at 05:13 PM EDT #

In Barkers "statement" -- but as the debate lingered on over the summer with the admissions process for some players, etc. Barker has not shown any drastic measures to fulfill his "statement" to have another National Championship. Words are merely that, words. Look at what your politicians promise and state, but what they deliver. Same as Barker, he's a politician, that's why I don't like him.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=67061>RobertsonCU</a> on October 11, 2007 at 06:00 PM EDT #

Barker is responsible for the school as a whole, which as much as you may not like it, is primarily an institution of higher learning. His primary responsibility is not to take "drastic measures" to win a National Championship. It is to oversee the development of Clemson University as a whole. I am not Barker's biggest fan, but he does not need to be intimately involved in the football program.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=69207>Cookster22</a> on October 11, 2007 at 06:05 PM EDT #

But he does not need to figure out ways to restrict players from attending here. Go back to the blogs from over the summer with the admissions process and tell me that he is pro-athletics.

Barker just wants to be in the Top 25 rankings (which I am not opposed to) but he should not sacrifice traditions and the culture of Clemson to do so.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=67061>RobertsonCU</a> on October 11, 2007 at 06:08 PM EDT #

Mickey,
One name that hasn't been kicked around is Jim Grobe, he wouldn't be that expensive and probably crave the facilities we have. With Jim we wouldn't lose the recruiting experience we have on the east coast. But, I support Bowden and like the direction he has taken the program, but I agree the intensity has to kick up a notch ... I think Spence has to mix it up a little more, maybe back to the no huddle to throw off the line stacking teams..

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=47563>Dreaded</a> on October 12, 2007 at 10:18 AM EDT #

2 losses are not so bad. What is just plain awful and pitiful is the way we lost those games.We were dominated,embarassed,humiliated, stomped and just had our arses kicked! Same thing as 2006 usc game!I jst do not understand how we can comtinue to be a SOFT TEAM and fans still support TB. He simply does not care. He refuses to fight for our team and then makes excuses about other teams losing!!As for the admin and their huge hatred for the football team; this is a fact and if we do too good(Danny) the football team will be "put back in their place" fast

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=4777>Litefoot</a> on October 12, 2007 at 10:59 AM EDT #

Litefoot:

Don't say anything that makes sense on this wall or you will get scrutinized! I completely agree and hopefully people can realize how much influence and lack of care the administration has for the football program. It makes us look good, but won't get us in the Top 25 of Public Universities so they won't extend anymore effort than they have to. Times are a changin' though.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=67061>RobertsonCU</a> on October 12, 2007 at 01:25 PM EDT #

if your numbers are corect,there are 37 coaches making more than Tommy. I don't think there are 37 better coaches than Tommy. I don't think Tommy is the very best coach in the Nation, but he is way better than 38. I blame us, the fans for the way our team has preformed on the field. 4 years ago we where all about firing Tommy,and as a result, we have 11 Sr.s on the team and only about 4 of them playing. that is why we are loosing.And in 4 more years we will have another week Sr. class and the whole thing will start all over again.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=24277>fatboy</a> on October 16, 2007 at 11:28 AM EDT #

While I agree that we should wait to have this conversation at the end of the year or when we get embarrassed a few more times this year, I would still say that Jim Grobe idea is good if pushed for an answer.

Posted by <a href=http://tigernet.com/view/profile.do?id=15068>PACIFIC BEACH+TIGER</a> on October 16, 2007 at 12:09 PM EDT #