There is a reason companies have strong policies against

1 and 2. No, Goodwin was not an ex-player, but he was already on staff. Also, I want to give Goodwin more time. He ain’t BV, but I see potential. Streeter not so much. I think the OP means whether it’s, a former player, a former team mate at Bama, a family friend, he has a history with pretty much everyone on his staff. This should not be a learn on the job type thing in any of these major coaching positions.

3. Clemson’s O line has never been that great, correct. So, we should just continue being satisfied with mediocre at best O line performance? Unless we have a DW or TL for a qb, the O line doesn’t help us win at all.

4. The DBs coming will be great, hopefully, but they will be young and inexperienced. Another concern on offensive and defensive coaching is the development of these players, also strength and conditioning.

5. Coaches’ kids…Dabo’s kids should not have scholarships period. He’s making 11 million a year. Come on. And they are on the field, not just for kicking team. Why? Maybe because we don’t have anyone better? If so, that’s alarming. Not just Dabo’s kids either, Pearman’s kid is an example. He doesn’t see much play time, but doesn’t he have a scholarship?

6. CK is a baller and we all agree on that one. Let’s hope he is coached up and developed to shine next season. Also, let’s hope he has WRs that will be coached on how to separate, fight for the ball, and catch it. And an O line that will protect him.

JREwing®

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Joined: 11/30/98

Re: Just my thougths

Jan 3, 2023, 4:12 PM

Roster Management is the #1 issue--its not even close.....

You see it when we play kids out of position out of necessity....or play kids who have no business playing meaningful downs at certain positions in big games at a football power like Clemson (no names mentioned). We have several position rooms that lack the quality depth you would expect from a Top 5 program.

We've had some bad luck (2019 class, losing really good recruits after BV bolted, etc....), but largely, some long-held concepts expose us, IMO unnecessarily, too often. Namely...waiting too late to offer, not offering enough, putting too many walk-ons on scholly which could go to more high-end kids, having certain position groups too small (namely OL), not anticipating the increasing number of departures in this new portal era or injuries, etc... We don't need to offer as many as BAMA or UGA, but we are left taking projects too often when we lose out on our top targets at the final hour. Much of the above are very minor tweaks needed in the new portal era. To give the staff credit, some of the above is already, albeit slowly, changing.

As far as the Nepotism...sure its there and I do wish we would've looked outside for some hires. I'm not as down on the Swinney kids as some....they have added good things as players/students to the program. They are clearly an asset. But 85 is already too low of a number. In an ideal world, it would be great to give the starting holder a scholly; but if I were making millions, I would pay the tuition and use it on bringing in another highly talented kid that statistically-wise has a much better chance of filling a position of need.

I'm also all for adding a slot or two more to the OL room vs. giving it to a former walk-on for the remainder of his time. I'm all for having a robust walk-on program and rewarding a scholly when we can (unexpected departure opens up a slot for a year or semester)....but schools we compete against (BAMA, OSU, UGA) don't do this nearly as much as we do. Again, 85 is already a very low number. In addition, all these schools have larger OL rooms than we do. Having larger rooms adds quality depth and gives insurance against misses and injuries--which happens alot with OL. OL has forever been somewhat a weak link (most of the time)...wish we could fix that and finally make it a strength...be known as OLU. Be truly built from the "inside-out" on that side of the ball...

Worried about DE depth next year....