To Whom It May Concern

Oct 26, 2025, 6:01 AM

To Whom It May Concern,

As a longtime Clemson football supporter, I’ve spent countless Saturdays immersed in the energy and pride that once defined our program. But after revisiting recent games and comparing them to the glory years, I feel compelled to voice a concern that many fans quietly share: something fundamental has changed—and not for the better.

The issue isn’t just the lack of player development, though that’s painfully evident. It’s hard to ignore that some of our support staff tasked with developing athletes had minimal coaching experience before joining Coach Swinney’s team. That’s a leadership decision with real consequences.

But what troubles me more are the intangibles—the spirit, aggression, and intensity that once made Clemson football electrifying. Our players used to fly down The Hill with fire in their eyes, hit the line of scrimmage with violence and precision, and play with a level of urgency that made every snap feel like a battle. Today, that energy feels flat. The run down The Hill is subdued. The players look sluggish, out of position, and—frankly—soft.

Has something changed in our strength and conditioning program? Has the culture shifted since the introduction of NIL and base pay? When players arrive at practice in luxury cars, it’s fair to ask whether the hunger to win has been replaced by comfort.

Interestingly, the players who seem to give 110% effort are the transfers and those finally getting their shot. Will Heldt exemplifies this grit. Ronan Hanafin shows flashes of it too, though he clearly needs more development to reach his full potential.

Right now, Clemson football feels like a program adrift. If Coach Swinney doesn’t course-correct soon, he may find himself watching games from a beach instead of leading them from the sidelines. Other programs with similar talent have embraced a win-at-all-costs ethos. In that context, Swinney’s current trajectory could be seen as a liability.

One fan recently suggested encasing Howard’s Rock and making players walk out of the locker room until they earn the right to run down The Hill again. I can’t disagree. That rock symbolizes effort, pride, and tradition. If players aren’t giving 110%, maybe they shouldn’t touch it.

This isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about restoring the culture that made Clemson football great. I hope this message reaches someone who still believes in that legacy—and is willing to fight for it.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Clemson Fan

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Our country won't go on forever, if we stay soft as we are now. There won't be any America because some foreign soldiery will invade us and take our women and breed a hardier race.

~Chesty Puller
Lt.General United States Marine Corps

Saru117 said:

We need an intangibles coach an an intangibles scout…though since we are talkies about intangibles I am not sure how we determine who is qualified!!

Any average coach can watch film and see the talent in a player. However, the coaches at Clemson used to have an eye for the "IT" factor in a recruit. While I agree with the coaches that stars mean little to nothing. Stars are more a smoke that point to a fire, but the fire is actually meeting someone and seeing if they have that "IT" factor. Coach Swinney has issued a directive that coordinators will no longer hit the recruiting trail, but rather the position coaches and "support staff". Some 5-star players have faced inferior competition at their high school. So, it's hard to tell if the player possesses the "IT" factor by watching film alone. You have to meet that person and if it is a highly sought after recruit then it behooves the coordinator to meet in person with that individual instead of the position coach alone.

To Whom It May Concern

Well said. Whats up there now does not represent

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It is as if they decided 'to take a load off' & relax..a 3+ year sabbatical..

Glad people read my post and that it is catching on

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