Scott at peace with decision, ready to move forward

12-year tenure isBrad Scott's 12 years at Clemson is tied for the ninth longest for a Clemson assistant football coach in the program’s history.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Feb 11 19:18:37 GMT-04:00 2011

Audio: Brad Scott on moving out of coaching (WMA Format)

CLEMSON – “I’m a Clemson guy, and I just want to be a part of Clemson and what is being built here.”

Those words were spoken by former offensive line coach Brad Scott Friday afternoon as he met with the media to discuss his transition from football coach to administration.

Scott said the move is something he had thought about for a while.

“It wasn’t a decision that I just thought about this year,” Scott said. “I talked to some of you in here earlier, as we were preparing for the bowl, and said that I didn’t think this was the year that I would step away from it all; however, I knew that I wanted to finish my work in athletics in administration. I have a Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration back from my days at Florida State. There were a couple of things that led me to this. One, when I lost my father-in-law earlier this year during the season. He was a great man, and wasn’t a high maintenance guy. You didn’t have to go see him every two weeks but there was a tremendous amount of love. When I was driving to his funeral, I got to thinking it has probably been two years since I’ve seen Dr. Fred - that’s what I called him.

“It’s crazy to be in a business that consumes so much of your time at my age. My dad is 85 and my mom’s in her 80s. When I got that call from my wife, she said, ‘I know we talked about this two or three years down the road, but have you given any thought to maybe being able to do it this year?’ I knew then that my wife needed me a little bit more than at any other time. What made my final decision, was when Coach [Swinney] decided to make a change at the coordinator position and a couple of other positions, I felt like this was the time for me to step away from my on-the-field coaching responsibilities. It would allow a new coordinator and new line coach to come in and have a chance to learn a new system and allow there to be some continuity and consistency behind that.”

He said he can't say, just yet, what his new job title will be, but called the move a “reassignment.”

“I’m just executing part of my contract that says that I can be reassigned,” he said. “I’ve been reassigned in football. One of coach Swinney’s first challenges for me is to get this great recruiting class into school. The clearing house has about a 15-item check list, and then getting into Clemson has another five. So, managing this recruiting class and helping them is a big part of that. I’ll be involved in our recruiting efforts on campus. An official role and title will be assigned later. I’ve got an office in the building so I’m happy. I think it will be easier in helping Jeff [son Jeff Scott] and our coordinators in grading and ranking players. I can help with the phone calls and messages. My years and experience will be beneficial.”

Scott said that he has been able to accomplish everything he set out to do in coaching, and can step away feeling good about his accomplishments.

“College football has been great to the Brad Scott family. I’ve been able to be a part of about everything a coach can be involved in,” he said. “I was able to coach and get my teeth into college football under the legendary Bobby Bowden. To coach in a National Championship, and coach Charlie Ward to a Heisman Trophy. Then to become the head coach at South Carolina, at a young age of 39, I didn’t know better. When I say I didn’t know better, I mean after we had some success that first year and won a bowl game. I didn’t know how important that was to that fan base. I think Carroll Campbell was the governor back then, he’s in the locker room in tears. We came home that night to thousands of people. I thought this was a big deal to the Gamecock fan base. I didn’t realize how important it was because I was used to playing in bowl games at Florida State and winning all of them. I felt good about the way I left that program. Then, the opportunity to come to Clemson, It felt like I was being reunited of sorts with Tommy [Bowden] being the coach. My what a run. I think I’ve been here 12 years, and to be able to serve a great university like Clemson. “

Scott helped the Tigers land a superlative recruiting class on National Signing Day, but said even that high didn’t sway his decision.

“You just say, ‘Thank you Lord. If I was going to do anything, at least it was my last year.’ This was a great class for our program,” he said. “It was fun to be able to be a part of that and be able to recruit a few kids from Florida. The most exciting part, being selfish, was seeing Jeff and his expression watching Tony Steward and when he announced, his and coach Swinney’s reactions. You know the hard work and the ups and downs of this profession. I’ll always look back on this as my last class and this being one of Jeff’s first. "

And he has no regrets.

“Spring practice will be the first time that I will realize that I’m not in that drill or responsible for that,” he said. “I’m looking forward to welcoming high school players and coaches. I leave with no regrets. I didn’t know there was 6 o’clock news still. I think the adjustment might be harder on my wife than me.”