Soon it was front-page news that change was in the air at Clemson. But who would be the new head coach? Interestingly, Howard had already picked a successor and that was to be Bill Peterson of FSU. However, just a couple of days before he was to announce the new head coach, Peterson changed his mind and eventually went to Rice a year later.

Howard had to continue the search and ended up with Hootie Ingram. Which goes to show you, when have to find someone at the last minute, its probably not going to be a good hire. Howard's last three years were 14-15-1 while Hootie's three years at Clemson was 12-21.

The irony of all those coaching changes in the 70s, is that during Howard's last year

while he was looking for a new head coach, Bear Bryant had brought his Alabama team to Death Valley on October 25, 1969. And one of the captains of that Alabama team was none other that Danny Ford.

It's funny that what Frank Howard had started in 1969, Danny Ford would settle in 1979. But the question I always wondered about was what if Bill Peterson had taken the head coaching job at Clemson?