The Candidates

Here’s a look at the most likely candidates to replace Tommy Bowden with my thoughts on each.

1. Will Muschamp – Defensive Coordinator, University of Texas
There are two major concerns with Muschamp. First, he has never been a head coach so no one really knows how he will do as the head man. As a defensive coordinator your main job is to plan and scheme for your opponent and focus solely on defense. As the head coach you need to worry more about the team as a whole and make decisions in the CEO mode. When to go for it or punt, call a timeout or kick the field goal.

Also, a large part of the head coaching role is to placate boosters and fans (aka “glad handing"), not to mention the AD and the school’s administration. In other words, things not directly related to the football field. Is this something Muschamp wants to do and will be able to do? Will his personality allow him to do this effectively? Huge question.

Which leads us to issue #2 with Muschamp: His fiery personality resonates with players and fans like no other – as the defensive coordinator. Would that translate to a head coaching position? There’s a train of thought that the head man needs to be cool, calm and collected. Not a head butting maniac.

He’ll get his chance next year – somewhere. The question is will it be at Clemson. In a lot of ways, it’s a natural fit. In some others, it’s questionable.

Status: Muschamp is aware of Clemson’s interest.

2. Gary Patterson – Head Coach, Texas Christian University
What does a 68-26 record in the Mountain West Conference get you? Tons of respect nationally, but plenty of questions from the Clemson faithful. He’s beat good teams, in much better conferences, but that’s not enough for some. He’s been in Texas for too long. Why hasn’t someone else picked him up if he is so great (Minnesota did offer him $2 million, which he turned down)? Can he recruit in the southeast?

Status: Patterson is aware of Clemson’s interest.

3. Dabo Swinney - Interim Head Coach, Clemson University
Talk about having your hands full. Taking over a team in disarray in the middle of the season 5 days before a game with a divided locker room and a worried coaching staff. Oh yeah, the team is all beat to heck, too, and will be without its marquee player for his first game.

What has Swinney done in those 4 days since becoming head man? He’s been a refreshing breath of fresh air. Attempted to unite the fans, team, administration and entire Clemson community. He’s said all the right things. He’s funny. He’s likable. He’s a winner.

Swinney is auditioning for a head job, whether it is the Clemson gig or another one. Make no mistake – the next 7 weeks will go a long way towards determining Swinney’s future. If the first few days are any indication his future is bright, whether it’s at Clemson or somewhere else. Swinney has nothing to lose and is going for broke. Which begs the question – if he is hired permanently will he go for broke next year, too or will he retreat to coach speak, non-answers, and the conservative game plans that we’ve seen for 10 years?

Status: As interim head coach Swinney is auditioning for the head job and has a slight inside track. Terry Don Phillips wants Swinney to succeed and will have a tough tough decision to make if he does.

4. Jim Grobe - Head Coach Wake Forest University
For all the talk about the great job Grobe has done at Wake, his record in 6 plus years is only 50-40 overall and 26-32 in the "weak" ACC. His reputation took a huge leap when he led Wake to the 2006 ACC title. You know, the ACC that everyone says may be the worst conference in big time football. So which is it? Is he a great coach who led the smallest 1-A school to a championship or is he an average coach who led a redshirt-senior laden team to a conference championship in the worst conference in America?

Probably a little of both. Not many people argue that the ACC is down as a football conference. Still, he won the ACC at Wake Forest. On the other hand, he had three straight losing seasons at Wake before breaking through and multiple losing seasons with a .500 overall record at Ohio University before Wake. Not very enticing for Clemson fans with ideas of grandeur and big name coaches.

On the other hand, Grobe’s teams are focused, well coached and make few mistakes. Something Clemson fans pine for. The Clemson nation is torn on this one.

Status: Reports have surfaced that Grobe was interested in Clemson last year when it was rumored that Bowden was moving on to Arkansas. Whether that interest remains on Grobe’s side is unknown. I believe it does remain on the Clemson side.

5. Bobby Johnson - Head Coach, Vanderbilt University
What’s not to love? He’s Clemson alum and former player who had the best national story going at Vanderbilt until last weeks upset loss.

Clemson fans are lukewarm at best to Johnson. Some LOVE the idea. Most HATE it. The knock? Start with this being his 7th season at Vanderbilt and none of the others finished with more than 5 wins. There are two 2-10 seasons in there, along with an 11-40 SEC record. And oh yeah, he’s 57 years old.

There is very little slack cut for him with respect to Vandy’s competing with the big boys of the SEC while adhering to Vandy’s strict academic standards.

Status: Surprisingly little support for a Clemson alum and former player.

6. Tommy Tuberville - Head Coach, Auburn University
Wow! A head coach from an SEC school wants to come to the lowly ACC? Apparently Tuberville is interested in getting out of the chaos at Auburn. Reportedly he was interested in the Florida State job before Jimbo Fisher became crown prince in Tallahassee.

He’s 82-34 at Auburn and 51-25 in the SEC, has an undefeated season, one SEC championship and 2 SEC west titles.

What’s not to love? He’s 57 years old and many believe his best years are behind him. 9-4 last year and 4-3 so far in 2008. Some see him as a Tommy Bowden clone in more than just first name. Does he have the fire that Clemson needs or is he just trying to get out of a bad situation?

Status: The Tiger Nation is lukewarm on Tuberville. He has a few supporters, but many more detractors.

7. Lane Kiffin - Unemployed.

What has he ever done to be mentioned with the guys above, who all but for Swinney have actually won a college football game as a head coach. Being a puppet for Al Davis doesn't really mean you were an NFL head coach.

Still a significant number of Tiger fans are on this bandwagon, I'm guessing because he is young and spent some time at Southern Cal.

Status - Unknown.