The Latest List

This list includes names I have heard are interested in the Clemson job in an order that is a combination of Clemson's reported interest and my interest in having them be the next head football coach at Clemson University.

In addition to those listed below, there seems to be a rumor that a big name coach has shown interest. Who that may be is up for debate, as is if the rumor is even true. We'll mention it here, but with an eye towards being skeptical about the validity.


1. Will Muschamp - Defensive Coordinator, University of Texas.
Muschamp has long been my number one choice, but is beginning to slip some with the recent performance of his defense. Sure, it's the old "is it bad defense or the other team's great offense?" argument. At some point though, like this week's game against Baylor, his defense needs to shut someone down.

Other concerns would be an open position in the SEC (Tennessee) and perhaps another soon to follow (Auburn). Additionally, even if he did come to Clemson would he be in it for the long haul, say 10 years, or would it be 3 years or less and on the a "better opportunity"? Things to think about.

2. Dabo Swinney - Interim Head Coach, Clemson University
I was originally going to wait to write this until after Saturday's game so as to not appear to be a bandwagoner if Clemson somehow wins. Swinney has done a remarkable job considering what he inherited. He lost in the 4th quarter to the division leader 4 days after taking over a train wreck of a team. After he week off, he followed that up with a comeback victory on the road against a team Clemson has lost heart breakers to the last three years. The players swear by him. The coaches and team have rallied around him. He appears to have "it". Even if the Tigers lose to FSU he has a decent shot at going 3-3 or maybe even 4-2. That would be remarkable. Win at Florida State and the bandwagon begins to fill up a bit.

3. Tommy Tuberville - Head Coach, Auburn University
Something about this just doesn't excite me. Tuberville is a solid coach. But is he what Clemson needs? The two guys above are 37 and 38 years old. Tuberville is in his mid 50's. Still his teams play solid defense and until this year were rock steady. Is that an anomaly or a potential trend?

4. Todd Graham - Head Coach, Tulsa
One remarkable year at Rice and now in his second at Tulsa. Clemson would be his third job in four years, but certainly the most attractive. If he had immediate success would he move on to the SEC or Big 12?

For a defensive coach his team doesn't have very good defensive statistics. Is it Graham or the OC that is the brains behind this operation?

He'll be 44 in December, so he has some good years ahead of him. Interesting name to keep an eye on.