Thursday Thoughts

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Thu Dec 11 10:54:13 GMT-04:00 2014

Thursday Thoughts

Big Name Opponent, Big Name Coach

This year's Russell Athletic Bowl presents Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile and the Clemson program the opportunity to knock off another top program and another big name coach.

The last two bowls Clemson has beaten LSU and Ohio State. Both were ranked in the top ten at the time. This year Oklahoma is not ranked in the top ten, but the Sooners still are considered one of the national powers in the sport.

Oklahoma would be the third national title program Swinney has beaten in the last three bowl games. The Sooners claim seven national titles, the same number as Ohio State. LSU claims three national championships.

If Swinney can beat Stoops later this month it would mark the seventh national champion coach that he has taken down. In his short tenure at Clemson, Swinney has beaten Bobby Bowden and Urban Meyer who have won two titles each. Swinney has also beaten Steve Spurrier, Les Miles, Gene Chizik and Jimbo Fisher who have one title each.

If the Tigers could knock off Oklahoma, Swinney would have beaten six of the top 11 winningest active coaches in college football. Frank Beamer is number one with 230 wins. Steve Spurrier is second with 225 wins. Oklahoma's Bob Stoops is the sixth winningest active coach with 168 victories. Mark Richt is ninth with 135 and Les Miles is tied for 11th with 131 wins.

Coaching U

With the official announcement of Brandon Streeter being named quarterback coach and recruiting coordinator, Dabo Swinney also sent a message to former, current and future players at Clemson. The message is if you want a future in coaching, Clemson may be a place you can work towards getting back to.

Robbie CaldwellRobbie Caldwell
Assistant Coach / Offensive Line
View Full Profile is the only offensive coach on the current staff that did not play here at Clemson. Co-Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Tony ElliottTony Elliott
Assistant Coach / Running Backs
View Full Profile is former wide receiver for the Tigers. Co-Offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Jeff ScottJeff Scott
Asst. Coach (WR) / Recruiting Coord.
View Full Profile is a former Clemson wide receiver. Special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Danny PearmanDanny Pearman
Assistant Head Coach / Tight Ends
View Full Profile is a former tight end for the Tigers and now Streeter joins the staff as the recruiting coordinator and quarterbacks coach after he starred with the Tigers at quarterback.

I also find it interesting that four former Tigers hold coordinator roles on the current staff with defensive coordinator Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Def. Coordinator / Linebackers
View Full Profile being the only coordinator that didn't play here.

There is a balance between hiring from the outside and promoting from within. There is also a balance between outsiders with new ideas and keeping tradition with hiring former players. For years Clemson went without any former players on staff, so it is nice to see some of our former players get a chance to come back home.

Redshirts

The staff got a lot out of the three true freshmen that played this past season. It is obvious the impact Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile had on the program. Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL
View Full Profile had a huge year including the two long touchdowns against South Carolina and Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile showed promise at running back before he tore his ACL.

The staff was able to redshirt 13 freshmen this past season including running back CJ Fuller, wide receiver Trevion ThompsonTrevion Thompson
Fr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-3, 191
Durham, NC
View Full Profile , tight ends Milan RichardMilan Richard
Fr. Tight End
#80 6-3, 243
Savannah, GA
View Full Profile and Cannon SmithCannon Smith
Fr. Tight End
#84 6-5, 235
Columbia, SC
View Full Profile , offensive linemen Taylor HearnTaylor Hearn
Fr. Offensive Line
#51 6-3, 305
Williston, SC
View Full Profile and Justin FalcinelliJustin Falcinelli
Fr. Offensive Tackle
#50 6-5, 300
Middleton, MD
View Full Profile , defensive end Richard YearginRichard Yeargin
Fr. Defensive End
#49 6-4, 225
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
View Full Profile , defensive tackle Jabril RobinsonJabril Robinson
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#96 6-2, 255
Leland, NC
View Full Profile , linebackers Chris RegisterChris Register
Fr. Outside Linebacker
#45 6-4, 242
Greensboro, NC
View Full Profile , Korie RogersKorie Rogers
Fr. Outside Linebacker
#43 6-2, 242
Buford, GA
View Full Profile and Kendall JosephKendall Joseph
Fr. Linebacker
#34 5-11, 230
Belton, SC
View Full Profile , defensive back Jefferie GibsonJefferie Gibson
Fr. Safety
#38 6-3, 190
Hope Mills, NC
View Full Profile and kicker Alex SpenceAlex Spence
Fr. Kicker
#47 6-2, 190
Florence, SC
View Full Profile .

I hear very good things about all of the red-shirted players. The ones that I probably hear more about include Richard, Falcinelli, Robinson and Joseph. Thompson, and Yeargin also get positives mentions frequently.

I have not heard anything negative on any of the red-shirt players this year and I hear the staff feels each has a chance to develop into the kind of the players they felt they were when they were recruiting them.

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#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
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