Meeting The Chad

Feb 18, 2013, 8:31 PM

Many recruits have claimed that intimate relationships with particular coaches are a major part of their college decisions. For instance, Sammy Watkins committed to Clemson because he and Brad Scott had built a very strong relationship over the previous three or four years. Apparently, the ability to connect with recruits from various backgrounds, socio-economic levels, and regions is a must for a successful recruiter. Dabo and Company appear to be naturals at it. It seems to be a rare, almost inborn, trait.

For example, yesterday after the Miami basketball game, I noticed Chad Morris walking alongside Deshaun Watson in the concourse at Littlejohn. Though not the type to be starstruck, I approached Coach Morris to greet him and reached to shake his hand. He immediately, almost effortlessly, shook my hand in return and affably said, "Hello! How are you doing?" They were five simple, mundane words that people normally say to friends and strangers alike. However, on this occasion, for a split second, I actually felt as if I had known him for years and our meeting was simply a heartfelt reacquaintance.

Afterwards, I deliberated with amazement on our brief interaction and an epiphany finally occurred to me: my brief experience with The Chad explains why great recruits regularly choose Clemson (and other schools with stellar recruiting staffs) or have Clemson in their Top Three. Dabo and his collection of coaches largely possess an innate ability or have acquired the learned skill to make your first meeting seem like the 100th, to make you feel like an old friend, to make your initial visit to Clemson appear like a coming-home party. If I, a professional engineer in his early thirties, momentarily felt this way, imagine how a relatively more impressionable teenager would feel in the same situation!

Three cheers for our coaches!

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I had the opportunity to meet The Chad a couple of days ago. He came into the Seneca Hibbets Sports store (where I work part time while attending Clemson). He bought some Clemson shirts, shorts, and he bought himself and his son a pair of orange Nike Free Run shoes. He signed a hat for me and my coworker, and he took a picture with me which is now my facebook profile picture. We talked for a few minutes about Clemson football, Nuk, and other things. When he was leaving the store, he turned around and stated, "UGA has no idea whats going to hit them next year. Believe me, we have "backups" that could start for any team in the country. Just wait and you'll see". He is a nice, genuine guy. He does, however, drive a nice BMW car. He came in at 8:45, 15 minutes before closing, and he lives in Keowee Keys. Just to let you know!

Meeting The Chad

Chad probably is going to be a heck of a head coach

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Re: Meeting The Chad

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