Friday Bowl Practice Report

by David Harry - Correspondent - Fri Dec 17 22:42:02 GMT-04:00 1999

The Clemson football team held a relatively light but highly spirited practice this morning as the Tigers continued their preparations for a match-up with Mississippi State on December 30.

Brandon Streeter took most of the first-team snaps, with Woodrow Dantzler working almost exclusively with the second unit. Streeter continued to show no ill effects from the shoulder and hip injuries he suffered earlier this year, connecting with Rod Gardner on a number of deep passes.

The Tigers continued to tinker with the “Pod” formation in which the guards line up in front of the wideouts. Woodrow Dantzler also ran the option from the shotgun formation on one occasion with Bernard Rambert at tailback.

Clemson’s next practice is scheduled for 10:00 Saturday morning.

JACK HINES TO L.S.U.? - When asked about L.S.U.’s interest in Clemson secondary coach Jack Hines, Tommy Bowden said that, “All I know is that they have called and asked for permission and when they call it’s usually pretty serious.” When about the job, Hines declined to comment. Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring, who happened to be walking with Hines when the questioned was posed, chimed in with his own employment status.

“The Toronto Argonauts called and they want me to come to Canada,” he said, kiddingly. “They want me to sell elk meat.”

TAKE ME HOME? – With a coaching vacancy looming at West Virginia, Rich Rodriguez’ name was brought up by the Mountaineer’s athletic director as a possible replacement for Don Nehlen. Rodriguez addressed the comments after practice on Friday.

“I think a lot of coaches could probably say that at some point of their career they’d like to coach at their alma mater. When I decided to get into coaching in college I wanted to be a college coach and the first place you look at is your alma mater. If you look at guys who’ve had a lot of success- Frank Beamer, Phil Fulmer, Steve Spurrier, they’ve had a lot of success at their alma mater. I think a lot of guys look at that as being able to come back home and sure, that would interest me,” Rodriguez said.

While displaying an obvious interest in coaching at his alma mater, Rodriguez once again emphasized that he is, in fact, happy at Clemson, saying that another assistant coaching job wouldn’t interest him.

“I’m in as good of an assistant position you could be in as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator and running the offense that I like to run. Making a lateral move doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. I hope my next step is as a head coach. You hope you do get other opportunities but to me that’s the next logical step.”

OVERHEARD- In a lighter moment, Rod Gardner took his time getting back to the line of scrimmage after catching one of many deep balls. Running backs coach Burton Burns shouted at Gardner to, “Quit signing autographs! We’re not going to wait for you.” Receivers coach Rich Stockstill immediately bellowed back, “Sign as many autographs as you want, Rod. I’ll wait for you.”