Jack Hines Resigns Position as TE Coach

by Press Release - Wed Feb 01 15:12:35 GMT-04:00 2006

CLEMSON -- Clemson tight ends coach Jack Hines has resigned his position with the Clemson football program after seven seasons. Hines coached defensive backs, linebackers and tight ends over his seven seasons, six of which ended in bowl bids for the Tiger program.

"I have reached a period in my career where I have decided to pursue other employment opportunities," said Hines. "The program has made significant strides over the last seven years and I am proud to have made a positive contribution to the Clemson program. But, it is the right time for me to make a professional change.

"I appreciate the opportunity Coach (Tommy) Bowden and Clemson University gave to me over the last seven years. I have one son who is a Clemson graduate and a daughter who is currently in her sophomore year. Clemson will always be a special place for our family."

Clemson won 52 games in the seven years Hines was on the staff, including six bowl appearances. The Tigers finished in the final top 25 of both major polls three of the seven years, including two of the last three seasons.

In his first year (1999) he coached the Clemson secondary and the unit ranked 17th in the nation and second in the ACC in pass defense. Led by All-American Robert Carswell, the Tigers ranked eighth in the nation in total interceptions. In 2000, Hines secondary was a big reason Clemson ranked in the top 25 in scoring defense and pass defense, helping the team to a number-14 final national ranking and a 9-3 record.

Hines coached the linebackers in 2002 and two of his players, John Leake and Rodney Thomas, ranked among the top 10 tacklers in the nation. Jamaal Fudge and Travis Pugh, two of his players in 2003 when he coached the rovers and whips positions on defense, each exceeded the 100-tackle mark in helping Clemson to a nine-win season, including victories over third-ranked Florida State and sixth-ranked Tennessee within the final four games of the season.

He coached the tight ends the last two seasons, helping Clemson to eight wins in 2005. The 2005 Clemson offense was the only offense in the ACC to rank in the top four in the league in both rushing and passing. His tight ends caught 28 passes in 2005, most by the position at Clemson since 1984.

"I want to thank Jack Hines for his contributions to our program the last seven years," said Bowden. "His many hours of hard work and dedication to our program have had a lot to do with our six bowl appearances and final top 25 national rankings. He represented our program in a positive manner in every aspect of the job."