Dan Scott Interview: Tommy Bowden

by TigerNet Staff - Thu Sep 14 14:24:28 GMT-04:00 2006

Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden was a recent guest on SportsTalk with Dan Scott to discuss the FSU game. SportsTalk can be heard from 9 a.m.-12, Monday-Friday, on WCCP-Fm, 104.9 in upstate South Carolina.

Listen to the full interview here: Windows Media

Selected Quotes

Can you talk about why most college teams do not have a special team coordinator?

There are probably that some teams that do. A majority of them assign a particular coach a special team. For example, Brad is in charge of our field goal and extra point protection. Billy Napier is in charge of our punt protection. David Blackwell is our punt return and punt block. Vic Koenning is field goal and extra point block. Burton Burns is kickoff return and on down the line. Some head coaches might name a special team coordinator and then all he does is name those five guys I just named. That’s the way the majority of the people do it. When they (NCAA) cut back on coaches that is the way it is divided up. Every pro team has a special teams coordinator because they have unlimited staffs. Every few college teams have a coach in charge of all specials teams.

Did you pinpoint why Jad Dean had 4 touchbacks on kickoffs against FAU but none against Boston College?

I think it is kind of like guys playing golf. You will hit three or four good shots and then all of sudden you will lose it for a little bit. Same way with a pitcher. He will be in a groove and throwing pretty good. He might lose it for an inning or the second half of the game. I think kicking is the same way. Obviously, he has the skill, the power and the strength and fundamentals because he did it versus Florida Atlantic. So I think it is more of a mental thing.

Are the FSU linebackers the fastest you have seen?

They run extremely fast. Very, very athletic. By that I mean the ability to change direction and get off a block. Sometimes might not be fundamental sound and run behind the block and have the speed to overcome and chase you down from behind. Jumping and their break on the ball. Their athleticism is something. It will probably take a quarter or so to get adjusted. You really can’t imitated in practice.