Bowden Contract Extension Press Conference/Official Release

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Tue Dec 04 16:04:15 GMT-04:00 2007

Quick Notes and Quotes from Tommy Bowden's contract extension press conference Tuesday afternoon:

TDP

- Delighted able to work some things out for several reasons. No. 1, close to getting our program where we want it to be.

With term of years, looking at our situation and the market, we added four years to the contract to make it seven years. That's the stability we need. Good staff, good direction. Gives school the best opportunity to achieve goals and meet expectations. Keeping coach Bowden and the assistants here is our best move.

There are very strong performance incentives associated with the contract. As we hit these thresholds, they will be a big part of the package.

This will move him to the upper third of the conference as far as compensation. He's been in the lower half.

BOWDEN

I'm very appreciative and excited. Clemson's a very special place for me and my family. Both my children have graduated from here, and as I said 9 years ago I fully intend for this to be my last stop.

We can achieve a championship.

- I was not offered the job at Arkansas. I've always felt very confident about the job situation here. Contracts are very complicated. Takes a long time to dot the Is and cross the Ts.

- Numbers discussed? Yes. Anytime you talk they are.

- I've always felt very confident I'd end my career here, and I feel the administration felt the same way.

- Phillips: Started discussion before Arkansas came into the picture. It's a competitive world out there.

- Bowden: When I speak, I'm speaking of conference and national championships. I think it's been done before.

- Bowden: When we talked after the USC game it was about an extension.

- Made final decision this morning. Felt very comfortable that I'd be staying at Clemson.

- Phillips: First thing Tommy wanted was assistants taken care of. As we speak we're working on where they are in the market and being fair in their compensation.

- Bowden: I mentioned to our team in a meeting the other day that you can coach your whole lifetime and not have a great opportunity. I've been coaching 10 years, and with returning players coming back, depth, I've never had.

- Phillips: Anytime you get into negotiations, you get into a lot of offers and counteroffers. That's just part of it. Again, when it's released, you'll see a lot of performance incentives.

- We've been talking since Sunday.

- Buyout: Looked at what happens, particularly in the ACC, in the upper five schools. Did some modeling after coaches we compete against and made some modifications.

- Bowden: Very comfortable with agreement that was reached. It shows stability and a sense of confidence, especially when you recruit.

- Phillips: We're going to do the things we need to do to win a championship. We think we can get to the next level.

- Jeff Long called me and we talked about a lot of coaches. Didn't just talk about coach Bowden. But he did ask to visit with Tommy, about a week or so ago. Arkansas followed the protocol very professionally. I gave them permission to talk.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

Clemson, SC?Tommy Bowden?s contract to serve as head coach of the Clemson football program has been extended, Athletic Director Dr. Terry Don Phillips announced Tuesday. Specific terms of the contract extension will be announced when the new contract is approved by the Board of Trustees Compensation Committee, but Phillips did say the length of the contract was seven years.

?Tommy Bowden has made us a consistent winner,? said Phillips ?He has built a firm foundation for this program in all aspects. We continue to have success on the field in terms of wins and losses, and national ranking. We are graduating our players at a rate that ranks among the top BCS programs in the nation, and they are representing the institution in a manner that brings pride to the University. We are continuing to attract top flight student-athletes with strong character.

?While we are pleased with the performance of the program, we know there is another level to reach. We expect to win the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and play in BCS bowls. With today?s agreement we are optimistic Coach Bowden will take us to those goals.?

Bowden has had the Clemson program bowl eligible all nine years he has been the head coach of the Tigers and led the program to a winning season eight consecutive years, tied for the longest streak in Clemson history.

The Tigers have won at least eight games each of the last three years, the longest streak for the program since the 1986-91 era. A bowl victory would give Clemson 10 wins this year, something the program has not accomplished since the 1990 season. Clemson was 15th in the final BCS rankings.

?I am very excited about this contract extension to serve as Clemson?s head football coach, ?said Bowden. ?Clemson University has become a special place for the Bowden family. Both of my children are proud Clemson graduates and have settled in the area.

?We have made progress, especially the last three years. I am very optimistic about the future of the program. We just completed a nine-win regular season with a team that has 19 underclassmen starters. The administration has made a significant commitment to our facilities with the West End zone project and it continues to have a very positive aspect on recruiting.

?Finally, the support of the Clemson fans is truly amazing. The thrill you feel when you are at the top of the hill is second to none in college football. We know the goal of this program is to win the ACC Championship and play in a BCS Bowl game. Everything is in place to accomplish those goals.?

Clemson will return 19 starters in 2008, the most returning starters for the program since the 1981 National Championship team had 20 returning starters. Clemson will return its top two passers, led by second-team All-ACC quarterback Cullen Harper, its top six rushers, led by All-ACC running back James Davis, the number-three rusher in Clemson history, and the top seven receivers, led by All-ACC player Aaron Kelly, the number-four receiver in Clemson history.

Clemson will return 20 of its top 22 tacklers from a defense that ranks in the top 10 in the nation in total defense and pass defense. The list of returning players includes defensive end Phillip Merling and safety Michael Hamlin, who figure to rank among the top defensive players in the nation at their respective positions.

Bowden, a two-time ACC Coach of the Year, has a record of 69-41 for his nine years at Clemson. He is third in Clemson history in total victories and second in wins over top 25 teams with 13. He has a 7-2 record against rival South Carolina. The .778 winning percentage is the best for a Clemson coach against South Carolina among coaches who have served the program at least five years.