Dan Scott Interview: Tommy Bowden

by TigerNet Staff - Thu Aug 31 15:25:00 GMT-04:00 2006

Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden was a recent guest on SportsTalk with Dan Scott to discuss the start of football season. SportsTalk can be heard from 9 a.m.-12, Monday-Friday, on WCCP-Fm, 104.9 in upstate South Carolina.

Listen to the full interview here: Windows Media

Selected Quotes

Thoughts on the situation with Ray Ray McElrathbey

You got to have some standards set and guidelines set in everything you do in life. In most cases there is always an exception to the rule. This looks like, I think one article stated, a common sense rule. Sometimes that comes in effect when you have to set a standard rule that applies to hundreds of institutions in a broad based area. Obviously sometimes there is one or two where you have to step above and beyond the standard. To me it is a clear cut case, but obviously I can’t get involved. It’s an administrative and NCAA decision.

Thoughts on maybe losing two defensive starters (Antonio Clay and C.J Gaddis) for the game on Saturday

C.J. didn’t have a whole lot of experience. Normally the guy we put in behind him will have very little. It looks like right now it will be Chris Chancellor. Of course he is a red shirt freshman so he has zero game time experience. He’s not as physical as C.J. is. With Antonio it is the same thing. Now Maurice (Nelson) is an older player than Antonio, but you are first team for a reason. Usually you have a little more talent. What we give up a little in ability to make plays, Maurice is a smart player, knows how to line up, and plays with a lot of emotion. So what you might give up a little in ability you might get back in experience and composure in a close game.

Talking to your players about playing a big underdog like Florida Atlantic.

You try to talk to the players about it. Our past history has been to play down to our competition. At some point in time if you want to compete for a championship you got to go out every Saturday and be expected to give your best performance and prepare yourself along that regard. Don’t prepare yourself for the supposed quality of the competition. Prepare yourself to be the best player you can be and perform at the highest level.

Listen to the full interview here: Windows Media