| | | |
Friday, December 13, 2002
Bowden feels Tigers ready for next step
Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Coach Tommy Bowden says his football staff
is on the same page. He's not vouching for anyone else at Clemson.
Bowden said Wednesday that his assistants and staff all know
what's expected of them and how to conduct business within NCAA
rules. It's been that way "for 24 years," he said.
Bowden, entering his third year with the Tigers, said he would
take all questions about Clemson's investigation into three NCAA
secondary violations it reported last month. "You may not like my
answers, though," he said.
Bowden restated his view that his staff operates within the
rules and is working to bring the Tigers a championship program.
But what of the reports of friction between the football staff
and the athletic administration, including Clemson athletic
director Bobby Robinson?
"I handle the football team," Bowden said. "Mr. Robinson
takes care of the internal stuff. You'd have to ask him."
Internal documents released last week by the university as part
of a Freedom of Information Act request showed possible disputes
between the administration and football coaches. Last week, Clemson
assistant athletic director Tim Match said two internal memos, both
dated May 25, indicated that all disputes were past.
Robinson says in one note it "was good to have our meeting of
May 21st with President Barker and our meeting of May 25th to
clarify any issues."
In an unnamed memo from a coach Robinson is thanked for the
meetings. "I appreciate the support you and President Barker are
giving the football program. ... Your confidence is (sic) my
leadership is appreciated," the writer concludes.
Clemson penalized itself by reducing scholarships from 85 to 83
in 2002 and freezing one football assistant's salary for 18 months
after its recruitment of Gaffney High prospects Jeff Littlejohn and
Roger McIntosh. Now, Bowden says he, his staff and players are
ready to focus on the season.
"It's not something that affected the players on this team at
all," Clemson quarterback Woody Dantzler said. "I didn't even
know about it until someone asked me."
Dantzler, who's scheduled to graduate in August, said he and his
teammates are showing the work ethic it will take to follow the
Tigers' 9-3 season.
"You look around," he said. "About 80 percent of us stayed here for summer school. That gets us going in the right direction."
Bowden says Clemson may have trouble taking that next step to
double-figure wins this year.
The offense features several solid returnees. Dantzler, who is a
Michael Vick-style double threat, will be among the preseason
favorites for the Heisman Trophy. He says he is about 100 percent
recovered from off-season ankle surgery. The injury last season
kept him from being the first college player to throw for 2,000
yards and run for 1,000 yards.
"He would have had it easy," Bowden said. Dantzler, who
injured his ankle in game eight, had 1,871 yards passing and 1,028
yards rushing.
The veteran offensive line returns massive star Akil Smith. And
several high-profile freshmen include South Carolina's high school
Mr. Football, receiver Roscoe Crosby, who was selected by the
Kansas City Royals in last week's Major League Baseball draft.
"That should really help Woody as we show some things in this
offense," Bowden said.
Where Clemson's questions will be this year are in the defense.
Gone are star linebacker Keith Adams and defensive back Alex
Ardley. Standout lineman Nick Eason is recovering from surgery to
fix the Achilles' tendon injured during bowl workouts last
December.
"We're coming closer to the having the quality depth we need,"
Bowden said.
| | | |
|
|
