Tiger Board Logo

Donor's Den General Leaderboards TNET coins™ POTD Hall of Fame Map FAQ
search
GIVE AN AWARD
Use your TNET coins™ to grant this post a special award!
W
50
Big Brain
90
Love it!
100
Cheers
100
Helpful
100
Made Me Smile
100
Great Idea!
150
Mind Blown
150
Caring
200
Flammable
200
Hear ye, hear ye
200
Bravo
250
Nom Nom Nom
250
Take My Coins
500
Ooo, Shiny!
700
Treasured Post!
1000
YOUR BALANCE
Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo
Tiger Boards - Clemson Football
add New Topic
Replies: 8
| visibility 756

Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo

12

Sep 14, 2025, 12:33 PM
Reply

(Theory)

As far as team mentality. As we know Dabo is a hyper optimistic man who sees the good in everyone. That’s a great way to be as a leader and as a person.

And it works great for a football coach as well, but being the dog eat dog sport that it is, you also need a rougher edge to hold players accountable.

Dabo’s optimism, faith and trust in players was perfectly balanced out with Venables more tough “you better buck up” mentality. Now without Venables nobody on staff has been able to fill his shoes as the tough counterweight to Dabo.

That leaves the players a bit too soft, a bit too forgiven, given many many chances because Dabo believes in them. The players don’t seem to hate losing anymore.

flag link
military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo


Sep 14, 2025, 12:34 PM
Reply

Is a dumb theory. Venables hasn't done very well at oklahoma.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Because he doesnt have a Dabo at Oklahoma. You need both

4
Sep 14, 2025, 12:35 PM
Reply

And also wait for this year. They are probably gonna be pretty good.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo

1
Sep 14, 2025, 12:41 PM [ in reply to Re: Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo ]
Reply

All the players left when the head coach got fired ot OK. He had to rebuild.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Literally everyone and most of the recruits from that class

1
Sep 14, 2025, 12:48 PM
Reply

It took Dabo 4 years after the “dirty dozen” class to be exceptional (and that’s about when BV was brought in)

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo


Sep 14, 2025, 12:57 PM [ in reply to Re: Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo ]
Reply

Oklahoma has zero to do with this theory

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo


Sep 14, 2025, 12:39 PM
Reply

I agree but you cover about 50% and leave out some.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo

3
Sep 14, 2025, 12:53 PM
Reply

He was the 'hammer' on the staff. Since he left, there is no one preaching violence to these teams.

tnet-military.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up


Re: Venables was larger than just defense. He brought a counterweight to Dabo

2
Sep 14, 2025, 1:00 PM
Reply

I think you have some good points and this ain't just a Clemson problem. Parity is at an all time high now and it seems like experience is becoming more important than talent along with NIL just dominating recruiting.

Heldt and Jeremiah Alexander coming in and we're seeing their names pop almost every time they're in the game. Tristan Smith plays hard when he gets his chances.

BV is certainly missed. I think Tom Allen can fill those shoes in the next year or two. OC is my biggest worry as Riley just seems off whether that's Cade just not consistently panning out, his inability to adjust things to the strength of the players and slow playing things with play calls or all the above.

Upcoming offseason is going to be interesting to watch.

2025 white level memberbadge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Replies: 8
| visibility 756

TigerBoard POTD

Donors' Pick Six - Week 13 ENTRIES

by soccerkrzy®

Tiger Boards - Clemson Football
add New Topic