Clemson's Next AD


by - Radio Host -

Clemson's Next AD

Clemson will soon be in the market for a new athletic director. I don't know the list of candidates but I have a to do list for the new AD.

Embrace the Clemson Family

One high ranking member of the Clemson administration once told me, "Terry Don Phillips never married Clemson, he is only dating it." According to several athletic department employees, Phillips never really fully engaged himself into the Clemson family.

Clemson is different. It is not perfect but it is unique. If the new AD wants to give himself the best chance to be successful, he/she will need to fully embrace the Clemson family. The new AD needs to embrace our family and its unique qualities.

Connect with Clemson People

Along those same lines, Clemson people want their leaders to be accessible. Danny Ford changed the way things are done around here. Clemson people want to be able to reach out and shake the hand of their leaders. They want accessibility. They want to be able to get to know their guy. They want to hear from their leaders on TV, radio and the speaking circuit. They want their leaders to be visible. Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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understands this and the new AD should take a page out of Ford and Swinney's books.

Raise Funds

Higher education across the country continues to fight budget issues. Athletic departments across the country are hiring the best fundraisers to lead their athletic departments. Capital campaigns have become essential across athletics. Budget issues are here to stay.

Modernize the Department

Jeff Scott has modernized the recruiting efforts for Clemson football and I think the athletic department needs the same upgrade. Social media has become a bigger part of athletic departments across the country and Clemson needs an upgrade. Schools are trying to control the message more now than ever and Clemson needs a progressive thinking business person that understands how to create a brand in the modern business world.

IPTAY Board

Several sources have told me that the relationship between the IPTAY and the athletic director has not been good for some time. The new AD might have to mend some fences and get that relationship off to a positive start.

Board and President

The board of directors has seemed to have a heavier hand in athletics in the past year. Chairman of the Board David Wilkins has made it pretty clear that he holds the athletic department as a high priority. He wants to win and it appears he wants to hold people accountable. The new AD will be working with a new directive from the board. No one knows how long President Barker will stay on board but the new AD will need to have a good relationship with whoever he/she will be reporting to.

Out with the Old, In with the New

There are a lot of long time employees in the athletic department and several employees will be stepping aside and retiring in the next few years. Clemson Downs is a retirement community in town and the athletic department is in Jervey Athletic Center. The joke around the athletic department about the average age of the employees is heard when the athletic department is referred to as "Jervey Downs." The new AD will need to hire the next wave of leaders in the department.

Hire a "No" Person

Larry Williams of TigerIllustrated.com says that Phillips right hand person Katie Hill will also be gone when Phillips leaves. The new AD will need to hire a new "No" person to pinch the pennies.

Fix the Olympic Sports

There was a time where Clemson's olympic sports program was filled with conference and national title contenders. Under Phillips, several olympic sports have fallen on hard times. Women's basketball, women's soccer, men's soccer, men's tennis and baseball are among the sports that were once title contenders but have seen some decline in recent years. I hope the new AD will place a higher emphasis on all sports at Clemson.

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Prayer List

We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:

If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.

If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com

*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.

Those who need our prayers include:Finn Brookover, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Daniel Rosborough, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs,Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas. V Family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers,Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr, Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon ThompsonBrandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle
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Thomasville, GA

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, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Billy McLeroy, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders.

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Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 55) Author
spacer Mickey Plyler's Blog: Clemson's Next AD
B-Meist®
spacer Fellow Tigers....
Prime T. Tiger
spacer insiders say
talegater
spacer You're welcome.
Accu
spacer Re: You're welcome.
talegater
spacer Heard that name,but..
Prime T. Tiger
spacer Re: insiders say
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer I am hearing.....
Prime T. Tiger
spacer Re: insiders say
Orpride
spacer Re: insiders say
leftie
spacer What's Bill McClellan up to these days? ***
Smiling Tiger®
spacer Re: What's Bill McClellan up to these days? About
74TIGER
spacer We wanted it, and he delivered. He knew what it took and
Smiling Tiger®
spacer and it's not like we were the only ones---it was the wild
ragtop
spacer Best we have had. Built the entire athletic program.
CUTIGR69
spacer Billy Davis. Ever heard his interview??***
kbtiger®
spacer Re: Billy Davis. Ever heard his interview??***
Country Gentleman
spacer I know he is not a candidate, but he has the attitude needed***
kbtiger®
spacer Re: Mickey Plyler's Blog: Clmson's Next AD
cma173
spacer Uh sphelling :)***
Woburn Tiger
spacer Re: Mickey Plyler's Blog: Clmson's Next AD
bripp44
spacer Re: Mickey Plyler's Blog: Clmson's Next AD- I think
74TIGER
spacer I think he is being groomed For the job actually. His
Daredevil
spacer I hope he is considered.
cutgrfan®
spacer finally someone mentions Olympic sports and the shambles
xtiger®
spacer Rodney Williams
Locotiger
spacer personally i don't want a Clemson guy
xtiger®
spacer Re: personally i don't want a Clemson guy
armsb
spacer well, thats where you need the right guy.***
xtiger®
spacer Re: well, thats where you need the right guy.***
footballmanager
spacer What was changed the wrong way?***
josephg®
spacer Women's BB and both soccer programs...***
ctigerlake
spacer Re: What was changed the wrong way?***
armsb
spacer They've always had the worst seats.***
josephg®
spacer ^^ That's what I'm taking about. We need
nkickha
spacer Max Lennon & BR started the job, Barker & TDP finished it.***
deleted
spacer Re: personally i don't want a Clemson guy
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Agree, but Barker has pulled it off pretty well.***
josephg®
spacer 100% Agree
elementsOfWay
spacer Re: Rodney Williams
Liquiddriver79
spacer Go get BOBBY JOHNSON!!!
ChicagoTypewriter
spacer Who is the AD at Stanford???? They have about the BEST
FLTiger87
spacer He is the new Big 12 commish...***
CM Shack®
spacer YES ! Place some emphasis on the "other" Sports
OhWiseOne®
spacer No inside Clemson hires Please and shake up IPTAY!!
Clemben
spacer Not gonna argue your points, but if you want to be taken
tigeringvegas
spacer Re: No inside Clemson hires Please and shake up IPTAY!!
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: Mickey Plyler's Blog: Clemson's Next AD
JDTigerB®
spacer Sorry, but I would never consider Brad Scott***
SouthLowerUG
spacer Exactly, go to a big time highly successful program and hire
deleted
spacer CHEERLEADERS NEED HELP TOO!!!
TigerCheer
spacer Yay Cheerleaders !!!***
OhWiseOne®
spacer I can offer assistance
nkickha
spacer Re: Mickey Plyler's Blog: Clemson's Next AD
Ga Tyger
spacer Re: Mickey Plyler's Blog: Clemson's Next AD
leftie
spacer Re: Mickey Plyler's Blog: Clemson's Next AD
OrangeLover®