Neff responded to my email from March 13.

clemzn1981® · 2023-04-01T01:30:49.592Z

Similar to ICAtiger - I also received a response to my letter to Mr. Neff today. We had swapped emails a year prior as well. For the record, both sets of our emails were polite, professional, and appreciative of the others viewpoint. As ICATiger also stated, I will not be posting his specific email. With that being said: Graham states that the announcement of returning Brad was “a really complex circumstance”. I am unsure what this alludes to - you can make your own judgement. Sounds like there are other issues at play rather than simply returning Brad. “The timing of the announcement was by design for many reasons”. I for one, do not understand what the many reasons may be. I rule out recruiting, retention, etc. something drove Graham to do it, but he does not state why. He “couldn’t be more frustrated by the Morehead loss”. Yep, I think everyone feels that way. Ditto for SC, Louisville, Loyola, etc. The rest was boilerplate rah rah stuff. I appreciate his response. I also strongly disagree with his retaining Brad for another year. Especially without any specifics as to why we should now expect Brad to break out of his prior 13 year pattern of mediocrity.

Anything can be read into the words Neff wrote - but it feels to me that there is “something else” going on. His response actually drives more questions and answers nothing.
What was the reason for the timing? I can find absolutely no reason to come out that day with that message. I hate to think Neff would have done that without a huge motivating factor - yet none are even close to obvious. So why?

What is so complex about firing a coach that after 13 efforts - has on his best season - simply hit mediocrity. That his supporters value a cupcake schedule and brag about the number of wins - when we all know it was partially due to the schedule.

Let’s face it, there is absolutely no known reason to retain Brownell. He is not a great coach. He is not even a mediocre recruiter. He has not engaged the fans or students to want to come watch. He does not resonate with donors. He does not develop players well. He coaches a boring game. He coaches mid major basketball of chunk and run, no inside game, no rim protectors, no rebounding. He is not a good adjustment in game coach. He seldom if ever changes the team to adjust to defeat stronger opposition. He loses against inferior opposition on a very regular basis.
The so called Clemson supporters - who want to keep him (which I think is bogus - as I think they are simply Brad supporters) will simply point to winning more games (but also losing more games) in history. Finishing 3rd in a cupcake schedule against the worst ACC on record.
No reason at all. Heck, he is not even funny or interesting to watch or listen to. If you are not a good coach - at least be interesting and engaging.

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Re: I got the same exact response today.

Apr 1, 2023, 1:22 PM

First, for the record, I have been calling for a coaching change for many years, and I still believe one is needed. I agree 100% that Brownell's tenure has been the epitome of mediocrity, and I think he showed very little this season to indicate that was changing.

The decision to retain or fire Brownell is not Neff's alone. In fact, he answers to the university and the BOT. His generic email response is a reflection of that reality - for the most part, he is delivering an approved, agreed upon message. I expect nothing more.

As for the timing of his and the university's public support of Brownell before the NIT was totally predictable; in fact I did predict it:

https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-forum/message/i-would-not-be-surprised-to-hear-from-neff-pretty-quickly-32462128

I would not be surprised to hear from Neff pretty quickly.

They did it because at that time the decision had been made to retain Brownell, and they wanted to squash all rumors of a coaching change, to give him and the team a boost of confidnce going into the NIT. We see how that worked out.

They decided to keep Brownell based on the 3rd place ACC fininish after being picked to finish 11th, a record number of ACC wins, 20+ wins overall. Right or wrong, THEY felt it was too good of a season to fire Brownell. That was their reasoning, not mine.

I could be completely wrong, but my gut tells me that if it were totally up to Neff, he favors moving in a different direction, and he is prepared to do so. I can't prove it and I have no inside source. I don't know if it's the words and phrases he uses, his mannersims, or all of that together, but it's just my impression. Besides, it's his chance to leave HIS legacy. Assuming football remains strong, just think, Neff could leave his mark by making Clemson basketball relevant. I hope that's what he does ... I hope he's allowed to.

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Above all else, love and forgive. Understand that people who disagree with you are not necessarily idiots or your enemies. Respect the wisdom of the founding fathers and individual rights and freedoms. Always see the beauty and humor in life.

Neff has absolutely no clue about what he is doing. His answers

You tell um, Karen.***

Re: Neff responded to my email from March 13.

Re: Neff responded to my email from March 13.

I got the same exact response today.

Re: I got the same exact response today.

Re: I got the same exact response today.

Re: I got the same exact response today.

Re: I got the same exact response today.

Re: Neff responded to my email from March 13.

Re: Neff responded to my email from March 13.

Re: Neff responded to my email from March 13.

Re: Neff responded to my email from March 13.

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