Larry Shyatt Addresses Job Speculation |
CLEMSON - Larry Shyatt took a brief pause Tuesday from his present task -
preparing for Wednesday's game at Virginia - to discuss his future. The third-year coach's job security has been a hot topic in recent weeks on local talk radio. Most callers have voiced support for Shyatt and his efforts to rebuild the Clemson program. Others have expressed dissatisfaction with the Tigers' current won-loss record (11-16) and Shyatt's overall record of 41-51 since taking over for Rick Barnes. Tuesday, Shyatt made the first public statement concerning his job status. "I told my wife after the (upset of No. 1 North Carolina) that I was proud of what we're trying to do here," Shyatt said. "I feel good about the young talent we have, and I'm comfortable with the direction the program is headed. I'd like to think we'll have seven, eight, nine years continually to do things the right way. "But if the people who make the decisions - and I'm not one of those - aren't happy for whatever reason, we can walk out of here with our heads held high knowing we set a good example for our three sons." Despite losing 10 of its last 11 games, Shyatt has remained enthusiastic over the potential of his basketball team. Tony Stockman and Chris Hobbs are the leading freshmen scorer and rebounder, respectively, in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, and fellow freshman Dwon Clifton had started 13 consecutive games before sitting out early last Sunday at Georgia Tech. And the four recruits signed for 2001-2002 are ranked as the No. 11 class in the nation by at least one recruiting service. Three of the four already have academically qualified, while the fourth reportedly is as little as two correct answers on his college boards from qualifying. Clemson Athletic Director Bobby Robinson doesn't evaluate his coaches during the season, and university President James Barker last week told at least one publication that Shyatt's program would be reviewed as a whole once the season ended, not in the aftermath of the euphoria of the Tigers' 75-65 upset of UNC. Shyatt has two years remaining on a contract that pays him a guaranteed $350,000 per season. Clemson and Virginia tip off at 7 p.m. Wednesday night in Charlottesville, Va. Solomon Did Not Travel With Team to Virginia Flu forces Tiger guard to stay in Clemson. He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday. CLEMSON - Clemson guard Will Solomon did not travel with the team to Virginia Tuesday night because of a case of the flu. He will meet with Clemson team physician Dr. Byron Harder Wednesday morning and at that time it will be determined if he is physically able to travel to Charlottesville to join the team for Clemson's game at Virginia at 7:00 PM. Dan Scott is the host of SportsTalk (10AM-Noon) on 104.9 FM in Upstate SC and Managing Editor of Seneca Daily Journal/Clemson Daily Messenger
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