Commentary: Spence, Atlanta And Hoops

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Sat Dec 22 20:20:10 GMT-04:00 2007

A few random thoughts while looking forward to a bit of downtime. Call it a Claus in my contract:

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So Rob Spence has interviewed at Tennessee for the Vols vacant offensive coordinator spot, eh?

Good for him. And really good for the Tigers. If other people want your coaches, that means they are well-respected and must be doing a pretty good job.

Will he take the job or not? No idea. But if I had to guess he stays at Clemson. His past statements about this area, his family and his faith would indicate that he feels divinely led to stay with the Tigers. Turning down the jobs he did a year ago would seem to say money isn't his top priority.

And even though some Clemson fans have turned their anger toward him now that head coach Tommy Bowden's future is no longer in doubt, most seem to believe Spence is doing a good job.

So, we wait for an answer. Shouldn't be long now.

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Speaking of Spence, he coached most of this season thinking he was seriously ill. Larry Williams of the Charleston Post and Courier has the details here:

http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/dec/22/bowden_confirms_spence_plans_interview_a25697/

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While in Atlanta for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, the Tigers will take in a number of off-field attractions as part of the week-long experience.

They will tour the Georgia Aquarium, visit patients at the Scottish Rite Medical Center and visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. site.

In addition, Clemson and Auburn will take part in the Delta Football Feud, a Family Feud-type event that should provide a lot of laughs.

They'll also take part in the Texaco Scholarship Luncheon on Dec. 29 at the downtown Hilton.

Players are required to report to Atlanta for a team meeting at 8 p.m. Christmas night. Practice begins the next morning.

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Despite the basketball team's loss to Ole Miss in the finals of the San Juan Shootout Saturday, the start to this season has been an overwhelming success.

To be 10-1 now, against a better out of conference schedule than last year and with James Mays missing considerable time to injury, is quite the accomplishment. Yeah, 11-0 would be better and you can argue Oliver Purnell's team should have beaten the Rebels on Saturday, but still the positives so far have been many.

From the play of freshmen Demontez Stitt and Terrence Oglesby to an unexpected surge by Raymond Sykes, the first 10 games of the season have been a positive in almost every aspect.

Keep the free throw shooting headed in the right direction and make sure the rebounding lapse vs. the Rebels doesn't become habit and this team will be awfully hard to handle the rest of the way.

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And finally, the hundreds of emails and phone calls I've received since my weight-related item a short time ago has been both overwhelming and appreciated.

Just so you know, all the subsequent tests came out fine. Now it's up to me.

I've written more about it in my rejuvenated blog. You can see it at:

www.offmicwithdanscott.blogspot.com

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And finally, Merry Christmas to one and all. May God truly bless us, every one.