Commentary- Herring: A Refreshing Change from Coachspeak

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CLEMSON -- Clemson defensive coordinator Reggie Herring never finds himself at a loss

for words, nor is he likely to back down from a difficult question.

Even in the face of growing criticism last season, Herring never shied away

from media scrutiny. He answered every question, sometimes before they were

even asked.

For a sports writer, Herring is a refreshing change from many of those we

cover on a daily basis who practice "coachspeak" — the ability to talk for an

hour and say nothing.

Thursday, as a guest on my daily radio show, Herring was as good as

advertised. Witness a random sampling of quotes:

— On Paul White, who has been Clemson's most impressive defensive lineman

this spring, but has an indictment on federal counterfeiting charges hanging

over his head:

"The young man made a mistake, but by no means is he a bad person...He's

never been in an ounce of trouble here. He's always been a great kid, and he

made a mistake. Hopefully that won't cost him his career and life because the

kid is not a criminal, and is not a bad person. He made a dumb decision.

"Now, if this had been a string of things it would be the other way around.

But it would be a tragedy if he's not here with us."

— On the public and media who question whether White should even be allowed

on the team:

"This is where the media or public probably doesn't understand the dynamics

of college student athletes. (The public or media) did not look those parents

in the eye and say 'when he gets here we're going to treat him like our own

son.' That's how you lead into it.

"We're going to do everything we can to raise him, and discipline and

structure his environment so he can be a success. We will treat him like our

own son...Your son has always been a good kid all his life, you've raised him

and he's never been in trouble, ever. He makes a poor decision one time, and

you tell me you're going to say 'get rid of that kid, throw him out, he's no

good?'"

— On losing senior safety Robert Carswell to graduation:

"Eric Meekins is more talented than Robert Carswell, but I think the biggest

thing is we can improve that position period whether Carswell was here or

not. I don't think Robert had an exceptional year as a senior. I thought it

was very average, if we want to speak in reality and truth. We're replaced

him with someone with more ability, but now it comes down to dependability

and accountability."

— On whispers that last year's late-season struggles might have his job in

jeopardy:

"When you've never been in this position it's easy to (scrutinize). The

quick-fix thing is throw the coach out and move on. The bottom line is I

don't worry about that stuff. All I care about is how my boss and the board

of regents feel, to tell you the truth. And my boss knows the intangibles and

dynamics of what creates problems on a team and what the reasons are.

"I'm sure if I was the problem there'd be a change made, and I'd accept it

and move on...Look, I've already been fired here once. I've seen the ugly

side of college football, and to be honest with you, you can heat me all you

want. I'm not going to melt."

— On his focus of taking away the opposing offense's big play, which plagued

Clemson down the stretch in 2000:

"That's what we're stressing. They better. We've lost a bunch of players and

we've got a bunch of no-name guys. But I like our kids, I think they've got a

great attitude and they work hard."

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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