Bigger news than the economy, the election or real estate in SC! (At least for today.)

Clemson University has forced out head football coach Tommy Bowden after an abysmal start to the 2008 season.  Assistant coach Dabo Swinney will be the interim head coach.  Swinney dismissed Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence, and will take over the play-calling duties along with recruiting co-ordinator Billy Napier.

In a couple of previous posts I had talked about fall meaning football in the Palmetto State.  Well, it's true!  Bowden had Clemson off to a 3-3 start this year, which was not nearly good enough, given the history of his relationship with the school and his inability to put the program in a top-tier bowl game or win Atlantic Coast Conference championships. 

The University's booster organization IPTAY* sent out this e-mail:

Bowden  Steps Down as Head Coach at Clemson
October 13, 2008
Clemson, SC-Clemson University and Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden parted ways on Monday. After two meetings on Monday morning between Bowden and Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips, it was agreed upon that Bowden would no longer be the Clemson Head Coach.  He will be  replaced by assistant head coach Dabo Swinnney on an interim basis.
            "Terry Don Phillips approached me this morning and we agreed that this is the best solution for the direction of the program," said Bowden.  "Clemson has been very good to me and my family.  Both of our children are Clemson graduates.
            "I appreciate the opportunity Clemson University gave me and the support of the administration while I was here.  I also want to thank all the student-athletes and coaches who worked so hard for this program the last 10 years.
            "I wish Clemson University nothing but the best in the future."
            Bowden coached Clemson for 10 seasons (including 2008) and posted a 72-45 record for his 117 games.  He never had a losing season.   Including his two years at Tulane when he posted an 18-4 record, Bowden has a career record of 90-49, a 65.2  winning percentage.
            He leaves Clemson third in school history in wins with 72, games coached with 117, and wins over top 25 teams with 13.    Included in the list of ranked wins are three of Clemson's six top 10 road wins in history.  He led the Tigers with a win at ninth-ranked Georgia Tech in 2001, 10th ranked Miami (FL) in 2004 and ninth ranked Florida State in 2006.
            Four of his nine previous teams finished the year ranked in the top 25 of both polls.  His highest ranked team was the 2000 edition that finished with a 9-3 record and a number-14 ranking by USA Today and number-16 by Associated Press. That team began the year with an 8-0 record and reached a number-four national ranking by USA Today.
            While Bowden never won the ACC Championship at Clemson, he never had a losing record in ACC play when he coached a complete season.   He was 43-32 against ACC competition overall.  His best ACC record was the 6-2 mark posted in 2000.
            The Tigers are 3-3 so far this year, 1-2 in the ACC.  The Tigers have wins over NC State, South Carolina State and The Citadel, with losses against Alabama, Maryland and Wake Forest.   Alabama is currently ranked second in the nation and Wake Forest is 21st.

*IPTAY originally stood for "I Pay Ten A Year."  Now there are different levels of giving.

  TOMMY BOWDEN