After Dabo was hired Dabo was hungry, Clemson fans were hungry, and AD Terry Don Phillips was a big part of just about every early decision that Dabo made. TDP was known all over the country as a great business man and had many contacts. Then we had Jeff Scott who related to recruits and IMO was a big part of getting some of the top talent to Clemson. We had W McCovey (sp) and Dan Brooks who were mentors to Dabo on the defense. When we got DW generally because of Jeff Scott. Then add TL, ETN, Mike Williams, Tee Huggins, and a lot of other good WR's. Then we got BV as DC around 2012 or 2013 and many great DL signed.
From around the end of 2012 (LSU win) through around 2019 Clemson was one of the top teams in the country. Then many key staff members left for various reasons. and many of these vacanies were fillied with "friends or family" or others who had little experience and it showed. No one should blame COVID, or NIL, or the portal. Every school had to deal with this.
What separates the top teams today from the rest of the pack was HOW they dealt with these issues. IMO Dabo is the best football coach in Clemson history or maybe (John Heisman sp). However IMO after around 2019 Dabo is not earning the $11,300,000 we pay him. He does not use all the "tools" available to college coaches now (like them or not) but they are part of college football.
The final question is, "Who is responsible for Clemson NOT using all the "tools" in the tool box? Does Clemson Universary limit Dabo? Does the Board of Trustrees limit Dabo? Does the AD limit Dabo? Does the lack of $$$ limit Dabo? Or does Dabo limit himself by not using all the "tools" in the toolbox just because he does not want to play that game? For whatever reason Clemson football will not be a top notch football team again until things change.
From around the end of 2012 (LSU win) through around 2019 Clemson was one of the top teams in the country. Then many key staff members left for various reasons. and many of these vacanies were fillied with "friends or family" or others who had little experience and it showed. No one should blame COVID, or NIL, or the portal. Every school had to deal with this.
What separates the top teams today from the rest of the pack was HOW they dealt with these issues. IMO Dabo is the best football coach in Clemson history or maybe (John Heisman sp). However IMO after around 2019 Dabo is not earning the $11,300,000 we pay him. He does not use all the "tools" available to college coaches now (like them or not) but they are part of college football.
The final question is, "Who is responsible for Clemson NOT using all the "tools" in the tool box? Does Clemson Universary limit Dabo? Does the Board of Trustrees limit Dabo? Does the AD limit Dabo? Does the lack of $$$ limit Dabo? Or does Dabo limit himself by not using all the "tools" in the toolbox just because he does not want to play that game? For whatever reason Clemson football will not be a top notch football team again until things change.
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