High Retention Rate

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Mon Jul 29 10:26:33 GMT-04:00 2013

High Retention Rate

Attrition is the norm in college football. Programs are always losing head coaches, assistant coaches, coordinators, and players.

Coaches leave for promotions or better job or get fired. Players get home sick, flunk out of school, transfer to other schools, get dismissed, etc.

Clemson has been extremely fortunate to have a very high retention rate of its players. Coach Swinney does not believe in running off players. If a player stays out of trouble and does what is asked, Swinney will not run him off if he does not figure into their plans. Other programs do this to clear scholarship room, but Swinney says if a player can't play then it is the staff's fault for making a bad evaluation.

Also you have to credit the players and the staff at Vickery Hall for the low number of academic casualties over the past four years.

It is that high retention rate along the small recruiting class of 2009 that has this upcoming recruiting class in limited numbers. Limited numbers in a recruiting class is a negative but high retention rate in your program is very positive.

Here's a look at the last four classes and who is no longer with the program. Again the numbers are surprisingly low.

In 2012, Clemson signed 20 players but two did not make it to school and the other 18 are still in the program. Josh BrownJosh Brown
Defensive Tackle
# 6-5, 290
Aiken, SC
View Full Profile , a defensive lineman from Aiken, and Marty Williams, a defensive back from North Augusta, never made it to Tiger Town. But the rest of the 2012 class is still here. The fact that all 18 players in that class are still here is remarkable.

In 2011, Clemson signed 29 players and six are no longer with the program. The biggest name is Mike BellamyMike Bellamy
Running Back
#5 5-10, 175
Nocatee, FL
View Full Profile the running back from Punta Gorda Florida. This was a five-star back who had all the potential in the world but was not mature enough to handle the task. Defensive back Cortez DavisCortez Davis
Cornerback
#29 6-3, 200
Daytona Beach, FL
View Full Profile , quarterbacks Tony McNeil and Morgan RobertsMorgan Roberts
RS Jr. Quarterback
#15 6-2, 200
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile , and linebackers Lateek TownsendLateek Townsend
Linebacker
#20 6-2, 215
Bennettsville, SC
View Full Profile , and Colton WallsColton Walls
Linebacker
#48 6-2, 220
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile are the rest of the class that is no longer a part of the program. Townsend and Davis were four star prospects that the staff had high hopes for but neither materialized.

In 2010, Clemson signed 24 players, but two players never made it to campus including linebacker Ricky Cheney and defensive back Evan McKelvey. Defensive back Desmond BrownDesmond Brown
Safety
#45 5-11, 185
Centre, AL
View Full Profile , running back Demonte Buice and wide receiver Joe CraigJoe Craig
Wide Receiver
#81 5-10, 160
Gaffney, SC
View Full Profile are no longer with the program.

The 2009 class was the first under Coach Swinney. This was a small class and only two players did not make it through the program. They were JK Jay the offensive lineman who suffered an injury and wide receiver Bryce McNeil who transferred. Jay's injury really hurt the offensive line. McNeal was not as good prospect as the staff first hoped.

So 16 players in the previous four classes are no longer with the program. I have not done the research but that number seems extraordinary low and again is a compliment to the staff. They have done a good job of evaluation. It also speaks to the character of the players.

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