Monday Robbie Caldwell Update
By: Larry Williams
With the overwhelming focus on how Dabo Swinney will fill Brent Venables' position, and how he might fill Tony Elliott's spot if Elliott departs, there's another bit of staff attrition that could be near.
For much of this season and even before the season, we picked up a consistent vibe from our sources that this was looking like Robbie Caldwell's last year as offensive line coach.
One of the prime reasons it made sense was the offseason return of Thomas Austin, who came back to Clemson from Georgia State to be an offensive analyst under Caldwell.
From a distance, Austin's move from full-time assistant in Atlanta to analyst in Clemson seemed at least a little odd.
But the finer points of his move bring it into much sharper, more sensible focus.
Former Clemson offensive lineman Thomas Austin was a two-time All-ACC selection and a strength training All-American in 2009 as a Tiger. (Tigerillustrated.com)
We were told at the time that Austin had an opportunity to go to Tennessee last offseason but that Swinney stepped in with an opportunity for Austin to return to his alma mater.
The pay was going to be well over what an analyst typically makes, and the understanding was that Austin would be the guy when Caldwell stepped down.
The feeling among contacts we have spoken with at the time was that this was probably going to be Caldwell's final season as offensive line coach, and we want to reiterate that this was the sentiment before the season started and the offensive line went through prolonged struggles.
We've picked up some information that Caldwell could move into an administrative role, though we are far from certain of that.
We're going to stop short of saying for certain that this is Caldwell's last season, because a highly placed contact we have spoken with said that might not be totally set in stone. It's possible he sticks around for one more season.
For now: It feels likely that this season, Caldwell's 11th at Clemson, will be his last as offensive line coach and that Austin will be the guy to run the show moving forward.
We would anticipate Caldwell coaching in the bowl game, by the way.
From THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Happy Holidays! Click HERE for more marked-down officially-licensed CLEMSON gear!
By: Larry Williams
With the overwhelming focus on how Dabo Swinney will fill Brent Venables' position, and how he might fill Tony Elliott's spot if Elliott departs, there's another bit of staff attrition that could be near.
For much of this season and even before the season, we picked up a consistent vibe from our sources that this was looking like Robbie Caldwell's last year as offensive line coach.
One of the prime reasons it made sense was the offseason return of Thomas Austin, who came back to Clemson from Georgia State to be an offensive analyst under Caldwell.
From a distance, Austin's move from full-time assistant in Atlanta to analyst in Clemson seemed at least a little odd.
But the finer points of his move bring it into much sharper, more sensible focus.
Former Clemson offensive lineman Thomas Austin was a two-time All-ACC selection and a strength training All-American in 2009 as a Tiger. (Tigerillustrated.com)
We were told at the time that Austin had an opportunity to go to Tennessee last offseason but that Swinney stepped in with an opportunity for Austin to return to his alma mater.
The pay was going to be well over what an analyst typically makes, and the understanding was that Austin would be the guy when Caldwell stepped down.
The feeling among contacts we have spoken with at the time was that this was probably going to be Caldwell's final season as offensive line coach, and we want to reiterate that this was the sentiment before the season started and the offensive line went through prolonged struggles.
We've picked up some information that Caldwell could move into an administrative role, though we are far from certain of that.
We're going to stop short of saying for certain that this is Caldwell's last season, because a highly placed contact we have spoken with said that might not be totally set in stone. It's possible he sticks around for one more season.
For now: It feels likely that this season, Caldwell's 11th at Clemson, will be his last as offensive line coach and that Austin will be the guy to run the show moving forward.
We would anticipate Caldwell coaching in the bowl game, by the way.
From THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Happy Holidays! Click HERE for more marked-down officially-licensed CLEMSON gear!
