Many have surmised (by even quoting the man himself) that Dabo might retire soon. And while I don't think he loves the state of CFB right now (who does), he has mentioned multiple times that now that Schools can directly pay players/recruits/transfers through their Athletic Funds and otherwise, that Clemson will be back on track. He ain't going anywhere.
I think Dabo is realizing the model he built, including recruiting "culture fits" and "high quality" men and retaining them and growing them as men and students, hiring former players and elevating Coaches with potential to "build a culture and program from within," and recently only paying NIL based on merit and not being aggressive (or barely trying) in the Transfer portal, just didn't work. Maybe it would've worked pre 2020 had everything stayed the same. But it didn't. And it's changing. And Dabo is changing too, I think, if you read between the lines.
The recent hires have shown this. The comments about NIL rules changing have shown this. Even his comment about the playoff being a Big 10 vs. SEC Invitational shows that he still has the fire and is adapting to the current landscape; he was essentially advocating for Clemson.
With all that said, I really think these things will happen post season:
- Wes Goodwin will be fired, unless the defense plays absolutely lights out and carries us deep in the playoffs. Otherwise, he's gone. He's a retread from the old pre-2020 culture Dabo thought would work, but doesn't in today's CFB.
- Grisham and Spiller will not be going anywhere, and I think he will hold onto them as former players who he loves. He probably won't be hiring any other first time coach former players, however.
- We will begin to take a few transfers from the portal, maybe even 2-3 next year to start. This is a hunch, but I think the fever pitch of it being used against us, and fans and critics alike calling for it so much has gotten too high. He will have to start using it or not get back to the elite status he wants to get to.
- We will be more aggressive with NIL, using the Collectives and Athletic Funds as necessary. Don't forget, Dabo was cutting edge on facilities, recruiting, training table, and other things when he took over to get us here. He will do it again, its just taken more time since the Portal/NIL were not his ideas and not as much in line with his personality/morals. But I do think he will come around, and knows to be competitive and cutting edge, he's got to utilize NIL and not just "performance based NIL."
Will it be enough to get us back to elite level? I'm not sure, and our recruiting class next year is rough. But I do think it will begin to be turned around starting this post season.
TL;DR: Dabo will make the necessary changes this offseason to begin to get Clemson Elite again- this could almost be like the 2012 season en route to 2014 and 2015 and beyond.
I think Dabo is realizing the model he built, including recruiting "culture fits" and "high quality" men and retaining them and growing them as men and students, hiring former players and elevating Coaches with potential to "build a culture and program from within," and recently only paying NIL based on merit and not being aggressive (or barely trying) in the Transfer portal, just didn't work. Maybe it would've worked pre 2020 had everything stayed the same. But it didn't. And it's changing. And Dabo is changing too, I think, if you read between the lines.
The recent hires have shown this. The comments about NIL rules changing have shown this. Even his comment about the playoff being a Big 10 vs. SEC Invitational shows that he still has the fire and is adapting to the current landscape; he was essentially advocating for Clemson.
With all that said, I really think these things will happen post season:
- Wes Goodwin will be fired, unless the defense plays absolutely lights out and carries us deep in the playoffs. Otherwise, he's gone. He's a retread from the old pre-2020 culture Dabo thought would work, but doesn't in today's CFB.
- Grisham and Spiller will not be going anywhere, and I think he will hold onto them as former players who he loves. He probably won't be hiring any other first time coach former players, however.
- We will begin to take a few transfers from the portal, maybe even 2-3 next year to start. This is a hunch, but I think the fever pitch of it being used against us, and fans and critics alike calling for it so much has gotten too high. He will have to start using it or not get back to the elite status he wants to get to.
- We will be more aggressive with NIL, using the Collectives and Athletic Funds as necessary. Don't forget, Dabo was cutting edge on facilities, recruiting, training table, and other things when he took over to get us here. He will do it again, its just taken more time since the Portal/NIL were not his ideas and not as much in line with his personality/morals. But I do think he will come around, and knows to be competitive and cutting edge, he's got to utilize NIL and not just "performance based NIL."
Will it be enough to get us back to elite level? I'm not sure, and our recruiting class next year is rough. But I do think it will begin to be turned around starting this post season.
TL;DR: Dabo will make the necessary changes this offseason to begin to get Clemson Elite again- this could almost be like the 2012 season en route to 2014 and 2015 and beyond.
