Tiger Board Logo

Donor's Den General Leaderboards TNET coins™ POTD Hall of Fame Map FAQ
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
Couple thoughts on Tommy
storage This topic has been archived - replies are not allowed.
Archives - Tiger Boards Archive
add New Topic
Replies: 42
| visibility 1

Couple thoughts on Tommy


Jun 30, 2014, 10:23 AM

The positives far outweigh the negatives in my opinion in terms of what he did for the program overall. He kinda bridged the gap between what could have been an extended "dark age" for Clemson football and what it has become in the past several seasons. He may not have ever truly reached the max potential for the teams he fielded, but he kept Clemson relevant and recruited extremely well, especially in places like Florida, which is still paying dividends. He also had the foresight to have guys like Dabo on his staff, and that's worked out pretty well.

He was always humble, and I thought he dealt with the end of his days at Clemson with class, grace, and dignity.

I was always proud to have him as our coach because he was a good man and he represented Clemson about as well as anyone ever has. Of course I thought it was the right decision to go in a different direction in 2008, but I have a lot of great memories from his time as our coach, and I am grateful for that.

In my opinion he will always be welcomed back to Clemson, and I hope that he still has a place in his heart for the Valley and the beautiful hills that surround it.

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all."


^^^ this ^^^


Jun 30, 2014, 10:30 AM

I really can't see any reason to be negative on the guy. He took our program from a place where we could barely win 5 or 6 games/ year to where we could legitimately expect to win the conference. As you said, he also opened up recruiting in Florida, hired Dabo, upgraded facilities, and got us a lot more attention as a program (a lot of that had to do with his name, sure, but we also had some big wins). We should probably add to that his stellar record against South Carolina.

2024 white level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

in the imfamous words of he ice cold stuntas said


Jun 30, 2014, 10:37 AM

Hatas goin hate

2024 white level memberbadge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Geville Tiger on Clemson football , "Dabo's only problem is he has to deal with turd fans questioning every move he makes.”


Totally Agree


Jun 30, 2014, 10:36 AM

Great post.

I know some resent the buy-out but everyone should be upset with the AD/President as Bowden's agent did what good agents do.

I wish him all the best.

2024 white level memberbadge-donor-15yr.jpgtbn_110.gif flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

I agree with the OP and with what you are saying about the


Jun 30, 2014, 10:41 AM

buyout.

At the time the iron was hot for TB and he knew it. They(TB and his agent) did what any good businessman would do. They used the leverage and got a great deal. Can't blame that on TB, he was coming off what was by all means a great regular season, we were a play from beating BC to go to the ACC championship.

2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Clemson has been historically better than Carolina. That's pretty obvious." - Classof09

"No one knew we were overhyped until the season started." - Classof09


Re: Couple thoughts on Tommy


Jun 30, 2014, 10:48 AM

agree

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

The best thing Tommy Bowden did while he was at Clemson


Jun 30, 2014, 10:50 AM

was hiring Dabo Swinney !

2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-15yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: The best thing Tommy Bowden did while he was at Clemson


Jun 30, 2014, 10:57 AM

and recommending him when it was clear a change would be made mid season

badge-donor-05yr.jpgringofhonor-74tiger.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: The best thing Tommy Bowden did while he was at Clemson


Jul 1, 2014, 11:18 AM

if Bowden never gave dabo a chance to be oc, and he had a couple of chances, why would he recommend him for the head job? I know it has been discussed on here before, but I don't think if you are firing a coach, you ask him who he thinks should replace him. there are many who believe dabo helped get tommy out the door with terry don. no one knows for sure but it does lead to some interesting speculation. also to add fuel to the fire was dabo getting rid of both the oc and dc.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: The best thing Tommy Bowden did while he was at Clemson


Jul 1, 2014, 11:47 PM

Who cares if dabo helped get tommy out the door and fired the oc and dc. Sometimes coaches have to be fired for a program to ever move forward Just like with tommy Bowden.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: The best thing Tommy Bowden did while he was at Clemson


Jul 2, 2014, 10:02 AM [ in reply to Re: The best thing Tommy Bowden did while he was at Clemson ]

Who has ever said Dabo helped get rid of Tommy maybe your dumba$$ bothers on FGF.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

I don't understand the exaggerated love fest for Tommy Bowden.


Jun 30, 2014, 12:05 PM

Tommy is a good guy, did great things with the facilities, kept the program clean and beat really bad SCAR teams on a regular basis.
However, he never won a conference, never went to a BCS bowl, gave us embarrassing losses to Duke, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, would not fire coaches when it was necessary and obvious TO EVERYONE ON THE ENTIRE PLANET, was aloof on the sidelines and made excuses at the wrong time.
Tommy screwed himself at Clemson and made out like a bandit in the process.
I understand Tommy is a fine man, a good person and I wish him well, but it was a gut wrenching experience on many occasions to be a Clemson fan during his tenure.

2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-15yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest.


Jun 30, 2014, 12:11 PM

Totally agree Argo. I was through as a 55+ year
Clemson fan if Bowden stayed. O.K. guy and lousy coach. Great as he was to many Clemson fans, he "ain't" worked a game since leaving. Apparently the college football world agrees with me. Most arrogant man I have ever met in my 73 years of living. NOT Clemson material.

"Remember the Merriweather"

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

That was another call the ENTIRE PLANET would not have


Jun 30, 2014, 12:13 PM

made !

2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-15yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Totally respect your opinion, but saying he's


Jun 30, 2014, 12:15 PM [ in reply to Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest. ]

the most arrogant man you've ever met in 73 years is surprising. What did you personally experience with him that makes you think this? Not bashing you at all, I am actually curious to know what happened.

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all."


Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest.


Jun 30, 2014, 12:16 PM [ in reply to Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest. ]

Forrest,

Did you ever meet him in person? If so, you'll be the first person that I have known to actually meet him and say that.

2024 purple level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest.


Jun 30, 2014, 12:21 PM

I met Mr. Bowden a number of times at IPTAY rep meetings and never had a single positive experience with him. He took delight in embarrassing you in front of others and made sure everyone knew that he was THE coach and a Bowden. Believe me, it would take a lot to turn me against the university I have served for many,many years but he did it!

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

We were clearly at different IPTAY


Jul 1, 2014, 1:12 AM

meetings. I always thought he was very courteous at those meetings.

badge-donor-05yr.jpgmilitary_donation.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest.


Jul 1, 2014, 8:24 PM [ in reply to Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest. ]

his father was a snake oil salesman,and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpgmilitary_donation.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

null


What is everyone on here's obsession with Tommy Bowden?***


Jun 30, 2014, 12:21 PM [ in reply to Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest. ]





badge-donor-15yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Also, while I'm at it...


Jun 30, 2014, 12:33 PM

Bowden was about as forgettable of a coach as we've ever had. He NEVER ingratiated himself to the fanbase, to the Clemson community, or his players. His record is mediocre. He was concerned with one thing and one thing only: Himself. The only reason he was around for as long as he was was was because he beat TERRIBLE SCar teams. TERRIBLE. At Clemson, that's a lifeline. Had he lost 2 more times to them he would have been dismissed years before he was. I don't think Bowden was a bad guy, necessarily, but certainly not worth praising on a weekly basis with these meager attempts to polish his legacy. The best thing Tommy did for us was to hire and then recommend Dabo. He gets major praise for both of those moves.

badge-donor-15yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: Also, while I'm at it...


Jun 30, 2014, 12:53 PM

I was not implying he was some kind of coaching genius. Sure, his teams came up short a couple times in terms of fan/media expectations, maybe even more than a couple times. I'm not saying that should be celebrated.

I have to disagree with the sentiment that he was out for himself and should be the most forgettable coach ever at Clemson. I don't recall him ever throwing players or coaches under the bus, and as I stated before, I think he played a vital role bridging the gap between where we are now and where we could have been headed following a 3-8 (1-7) season under Tommy West. He was also instrumental in creating new recruiting trails and opening the door for the facilities that you mentioned.

As for beating a dead horse, I haven't posted about him before, but I freely admit that some recent comments on here did get me thinking about his time as coach, and to be honest I have a lot more positive memories than I do negative ones. Maybe that's not a widely held perspective, and that's fine. I'm 28, and his arrival at Clemson was just about the time I really fell in love with Clemson, so maybe it's different from the fans that were around for Danny Ford, etc.

I don't feel like I need to polish his legacy at Clemson. To me it's positive, and it speaks for itself. Just my 2 cents.

Go Tigers!

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all."


Heck, both of his kids went to Clemson


Jun 30, 2014, 1:12 PM

Hard to say he was "just out for himself" when his family is basically a Clemson family.

It's also not fair to call someone out for an alleged "obsession" when they are posting to defend Bowden from the detractors who come out of the woodwork every time he's mentioned (which actually isn't the often). You don't get free reign to criticize somebody and then also get to say that the people who disagree with you are obsessed.

2024 white level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: Heck, both of his kids went to Clemson


Jun 30, 2014, 2:20 PM

Um, that doesn't make an ounce of sense, sorry.

I'm not the one starting these stupid threads-- I am simply questioning why such a mediocre coach gets his legacy polished seemingly every week on this board.

Who, exactly, is this person responding to, anyway? What detractors are you talking about?

And, yes, I absolutely have free reign to criticize the same boring narrative that is Tommy Bowden's Clemson career, just as the people who start these threads have the right to post them in the first place.

(Lastly, I don't know what his kids going to Clemson (for free) has anything to do with Tommy Bowden's selflessness as a person.)

badge-donor-15yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Again, I'm not trying to polish his legacy...


Jun 30, 2014, 2:56 PM

I don't think it needs any polishing, and that wasn't the purpose of my post. I'm not advocating putting him in the Ring of Honor or anything like that. My personal opinion is that Tommy Bowden had a positive impact on Clemson football for the variety of reasons that I've already mentioned. I completely respect your opinion of him as a mediocre coach with a boring career. I just don't agree with it.

Maybe I don't get on here often enough to see that this kind of thing is posted every week. I just saw something about him commenting about Arkansas, and it got me to thinking about when he was coach.

I've seen some comments about him being arrogant and not ingratiating himself with fans. To each their own, but that's just not what comes to mind when I think of Tommy Bowden.

Finally, if you are sick of "stupid" threads like this, then don't click or comment on them. It'll keep your blood pressure down! :D

Go Tigers!

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all."


Re: Again, I'm not trying to polish his legacy...


Jun 30, 2014, 3:11 PM

Fair enough. We agree to disagree and I respect that.

badge-donor-15yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: Also, while I'm at it...


Jul 1, 2014, 11:56 PM [ in reply to Also, while I'm at it... ]

Exactly he may have been able to upgrade some facilities and you could argue whether or not he is responsible for building recruiting ties anywhere, I don't see how he recruited anyone. But he never did anything as a coach on the field , was about as boring as a coach could be and showed no emotion, he spent most his time during the games pacing with his head down talking in the mic or with his arms crossed talking into the mic and not interacting with any players at all. He ran a boring system of offense and although he may be a nice guy he seems like he would have no personality and probably never earned the respect of any of his players. Good riddance and I hope he would just keep comments about anything clemson to himself.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

I've seen several people on this thread mention


Jul 2, 2014, 9:19 AM

how his players didn't respect him or probably would say they didn't enjoy playing for him. Does anyone have any tangible evidence for this beyond "probably" or just because you think so?

The point of my post was not to suggest Tommy Bowden is the most brilliant coach to ever walk a college sideline. Rather, he did a lot of positive things for the program that have resonated throughout the years, such as recruiting, facility upgrades, etc.

My personal opinion is that while he may not have won the national title every season, he did bridge the gap between what looked to be the start of a serious downturn for the program and where we are now.

Also, the comment about how he didn't recruit anyone while coach is ludicrous. Ever heard of guys like C.J. Spiller, Andre Branch, Gaines Adams, Jacoby Ford, James Davis, Aaron Kelly, Barry Richardson, Justin Miller, Anthony Waters, etc etc etc etc?

It's fine if you don't personally like the guy. I respect that opinion. I think most people would agree that he did more positive things for the program overall than negative.

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all."


I met him a few times and thought he was really nice


Jun 30, 2014, 1:05 PM [ in reply to Re: I don't get the Tommy Bowden excessive love fest. ]

He was the kind of guy who would wave at you when you honked your horn at him, as annoying as that must have been.

And it should be pointed out that his tenure at Clemson was, on the whole, positive, even if he never got us where we wanted to be. That's not a "love fest," but it's a corrective to the people who feel the need to insult him every time they see a news story about him.

2024 white level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Re: I don't understand the exaggerated love fest for Tommy Bowden.


Jul 2, 2014, 10:03 AM [ in reply to I don't understand the exaggerated love fest for Tommy Bowden. ]

True but nowhere near as gut wrenching as Tommy freaking West

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Thank you...


Jul 2, 2014, 10:05 AM

Based on some of the comments I've seen, it's like people forget about what could have been a pretty dark time for the program.

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all."


Weird to say, but the Brad Scott hire has paid big dividends


Jun 30, 2014, 1:58 PM

Too. I would say our current recruiting coordinator is doing a great job, and it is just a bonus that he is out recruiting the Gamecoots!

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up


Really wanted to see if Arkansas would have hired.***


Jun 30, 2014, 3:51 PM



flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

IMO, Tommy Bowden was the right


Jul 1, 2014, 1:19 AM

man for the job after a decade of mediocrity after Ford left. Yep, he had great highs and terrible lows. But the facilities improved, recruiting improved and his coaching hires are adding to Clemson's luster today. I agree that he should have left when he did, but overall, the man served Clemson well.

badge-donor-05yr.jpgmilitary_donation.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Though I agree with you regarding TBs time as coach, I have not


Jul 1, 2014, 2:10 AM

found him to be likeable after his Clemson career. He doesn't do anything outrightly wrong, but even the quote from the article on the front page seemed like a backhanded dig at Clemson. It almost sounds like he figured out how to dupe us.. just win 8 games and you can stay forever.
I don't know, I'm 16h in to my job today and tired.. maybe it is just me.

2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

null


Re: Though I agree with you regarding TBs time as coach, I have not


Jul 1, 2014, 10:25 AM

It isn't you. He was able to dupe many Clemson men with his cheap humor and sly ways. If the guys who played for him would open up, you would learn that he didn't have the respect that the head guy should have. How many good things has he had to say about Clemson during all these years of UNEMPLOYMENT?

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Sounds like you and Tommy need to get a beer


Jul 1, 2014, 11:06 AM

and clear the air!

:D

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all."


Re: Couple thoughts on Tommy


Jul 1, 2014, 11:09 PM

He was a terrible coach..should have been fired in 03 or 04.
Notice, he has yet to get another coaching job.

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

NOPE! Why do you idiots think he isn't coaching?


Jul 2, 2014, 5:26 AM

I would have fired him four years sooner. He knew he'll allowed the line to deteriorate on both side of the ball when he interviewed with Arki. He conned Clemson with that interview and we made a mistake not firing his ### on the spot.

He's a no coaching, POS.

















































PS: It's downtime and I'm starved for some football. Sorry bout all the nasty and insulting talk. :)


Message was edited by: ClemsonTiger1988®


2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpgringofhonor-clemsontiger1988-110.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Little strong on the POS part... I do think he was riding


Jul 2, 2014, 5:31 AM

Daddy's coattails and playing for second place...

2024 white level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up


Re: Little strong on the POS part... I do think he was riding


Jul 2, 2014, 7:07 AM

Yeah, I still got the raw ### over all that money he extorted from us. Never-the-less, it was our fault for ignoring the obvious and keeping him four or five years after his usefulness was over. Our allegiance to each other, our players and coaches was our downfall. Just don't say that like it's a bad thing.

If anybody thinks there's a better place to be than Clemson either their stupidity or character disqualifies them to be one of us.

Tommy is disqualified and we are stupid for not catching on sooner. I'll admit, he sold the 'powers that be,' on expansion which was a positive along with many of his hires.

Some might insist that the cream rises to the top but also do the turd when they are in the punch bowl.


Message was edited by: ClemsonTiger1988®


2024 orange level memberbadge-donor-10yr.jpgringofhonor-clemsontiger1988-110.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

I don't think anyone looks back on Bowden leaving


Jul 2, 2014, 9:23 AM

as a "bad thing." It was clearly the right move. My post wasn't an attempt to nominate him for the HOF. I personally think he did more good than bad. Just my 2 cents. I respect your opinions though.

badge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

"Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all."


Re: Couple thoughts on Tommy


Jul 2, 2014, 9:31 AM

I think alot of Clemson fans had visions, because his last name was Bowden, of him coming in and becoming a trademark or institution like his Dad at FSU. When it was obvious that it wasn't coming to pass, his teams and records became stagnant and frustrating, and some of the unexpected losses became more than he could saddle!

flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

Replies: 42
| visibility 1
Archives - Tiger Boards Archive
add New Topic