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10/10/08

Tommy Bowden Should Be Fired After Latest Loss To Wake Forest

This Is About The Time When The Head Coach Fires His Offensive Coordinator

NCAAF, Clemson Tigers, Tommy Bowden

CriticalFanatic

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Clemson wasn't favored to beat Wake Forest on Thursday Night, but the loss should seal Tommy Bowden's fate, so long as he doesn't have pictures of the Athletic Director with his secretary.

Riley Skinner of Wake Forest threw a touchdown pass with 5:28 left in the fourth quarter -- the Demon Deacons first conference touchdown in two games (2-0) -- to take the lead 12-7 for good.

Clemson managed just 21 yards rushing with James Davis and C.J. Spiller, two of the most talented backs in the country. The latter was injured and out for the second half, but 10 carries and 25 yards in inexcusable for the senior Davis. One time hot draft prospect QB Cullen Harper was 15-for-35, throwing a key interception in Tigers territory setting up an easy field goal.

But this wasn't exactly a well played game from the Demon Deacons. They were without All-American kicker and punter Sam Swank, which resulted in two easy missed field goals and a punting average of 34 yards. This game was there for Clemson's taking if it could put a drive together.

The key moment for me was when the Tigers came out for the second half trailing 3-0. This is when a head coach must show he can motivate his team and get their attention. Clemson's first drive of the second half started with a holding, a false start and a timeout.

Bowden should have been fired right then. I'm not even close to being a Tigers fan, but was embarrassed for them. The Clemson Rivals.com message boards this morning say it all:

Tommy Bowden could fire his offensive coordinator Rob Spence, like many other coaches attempt to save their jobs, but I don't think this situation is savable. If there's a silver lining for Tigers fans today, it's that the loss last night will help move the program back in the right direction in the future.

Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips should look no further than across the field Thursday night for an example of what to look for. Jim Grobe gets more of less talent and recruiting "stars" than anyone else in the country. Just think what a good coach could do with Clemson's talent?

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10/10/08

Ryan

Honestly, and i don't give out props to Clemson too often, I've always respected that the school has stood behind Bowden. He's a great representative of the school. And if you asked half of the schools in the country if they would take a coach with his record over the past few years, I assume many of them would jump at the chance.

I think in the past he's had to live up to some unfair expectations. And goodness knows he's CONSTANTLY had to hear about people wanting him to be fired (even after some pretty good seasons). I thought the extension last winter was a pretty good idea. He's obviously a great recruiter.

But something just isn't right. They have a ton of talent (sans the offensive line, which has been a tremendous strength in the past) and I really expected them to get after it a bit more this year. I'm constantly shocked when I watch them play or look at the box score to see some of the numbers that I see.

10/10/08

Ryan

0	With the new contract they just gave Bowden last winter, it's going to be a very expensive pill for Clemson supporters to swallow. I doubt IPTAY cares too much this morning.

10/10/08

37_and_haye_z

1	We can all speculate about the best reason that Tommy, or Rob, or whomever should be fired...play calling, blocking, discipline, training, etc. It doesn't really matter anymore because you either got it or you don't. The offensive coaching staff at Clemson just doesn't have it. I like the man, but the coach gives me chest pains.

10/10/08

Ryan

10/10/08

huskerdoug2009

1	If you throw out games against Citadel and South Carolina State, Clemson is 1-3 with a combined scoring output of 61 points in those 4 games. 27 of those came against NC State. That's not much offense for sure, however I wouldn't go throwing to much blame at Bowden, because the same Wake team held Florida State to 3 points and Baylor to 13 points. That's pretty good defense.

10/10/08

37_and_haye_z

huskerdoug2009 wrote:

If you throw out games against Citadel and South Carolina State, Clemson is 1-3 with a combined scoring output of 61 points in those 4 games. 27 of those came against NC State. That's not much offense for sure, however I wouldn't go throwing to much blame at Bowden, because the same Wake team held Florida State to 3 points and Baylor to 13 points. That's pretty good defense.

Agreed, nothing against Wake, that is an excellent defense that Brad Lambert has put together. However, Baylor and Florida State? Let's not go overboard on the praise considering who they've played.

I can't agree more with Ryan on his feelings regarding Bowden but when it comes to decisions in sports, you've gotta take out the emotions. What you see on the field is reality...and reality is a 3-3 team with a beleaguered offense, 2 wins over D1-AA teams, and a coach obstinate against change. So it's time for someone else to make the changes.

10/10/08

huskerdoug2009

37_and_haye_z wrote:

My only point in bringing up Wake's D is that when Florida State averages 48 points per game in their 4 victories and puts up 3 against Wake, and hold Baylor which averages 35 points a game to 13 that's pretty good.

10/10/08

tpowell25

*Selfish statement*

This does absolutely nothing to help Alabama's BCS score. I was really hoping Clemson would end the season on top of the ACC.

*Back to being an overall college football fan*

I'm clueless about this team now. I don't necessarily think they should be dominating everyone they play, mainly because it's really difficult to be successful with a weak offensive line. But with all of that talent that they have, you would think that they would squeeze out some of these close games against average teams. Then again, so much goes on behind the scenes that we fans will never know or understand. Mainly, the psychological side of it. There is no telling what is going on in their heads this season. Well, I have a good idea. But you know what I mean.

Sports are extremely fickle when it comes to the minds of young men. One pebble in the road can offset so many things.

(you can call me Confucius, or confused. whichever works)

10/10/08

kenroy2

Tommy Bowden and his entire Coaching staff are inept. Clemson football has some of the nations best athletes but the coaching staff is not much better than some high school's. I personally think that Terry Don Phillips should replace the Head Football Coach and most of the staff. It will be costly but it should be worth it.
People are demanding their money back for the season tickets for which they paid a hefty price to see a very "uncoached" club that had expectations of being ACC Champions for the first time under Bowden. Bowden is not a very good leader and should be replaced today....not after the Georgia Tech defeat...but now.

10/10/08

marsengill5150

Ryan wrote:

With the new contract they just gave Bowden last winter, it's going to be a very expensive pill for Clemson supporters to swallow.

I doubt IPTAY cares too much this morning.

I agree with you, as it turns out, Bowden either starts out great or fineshes great, there is no GREAT season for Tommy all season, so, in my opinon its time to get rid of al the coaches and start fresh, but thats just how i see it, I went to Clemson and now i'm employed by them, if they ever want to see a REAL BOWL..get rid of BOWDEN