Failed expectations and a lack of team energy lead Bowden to resign at Clemson
By John Kelly-Senior Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

If all of America were to read Tommy Bowden’s eulogy following his resignation it probably would say “Bowden a man who could recruit the athletic studs to exceed expectations but could never seem to fire them up to fulfill them”. In the middle of his tenth season after being routed by Alabama and back-to-back conference losses to Maryland and Wake Forest Bowden decided to step down.
In an earlier Clemson article I wrote in July I stated that if the tigers failed to win the ACC Title then Tommy Bowden’s seat could combust into flames.
Clemson went from ACC favorite and National title dark horse to a team in turmoil within 6 games. Receivers coach Dabo Swinney will be taking the headset for the remaining games.
I was a possible believer along with the great Brent Musberger on the first Saturday that Clemson could be a dark horse National title candidate. The question all people are asking how did it get so ugly so quickly for the Clemson Tigers after most people penciled them in as the ACC favorite?
Well the definite calling card had to be the Alabama game in which the Tigers were thumped 34-10 and lacked any cohesiveness on the sideline. I know that Alabama team is now current ranked 2nd in the nation and no one expected them to rise so quickly but, it was that game alone that told the nation that Tommy Bowden and the Tigers were on separate wavelengths.
The most disappointing part of their opening game was not on the scoreboard but the mood of the players throughout all four quarters. They seemed in shock and had their heads down the whole game like an emotionally broken mutt. Coaches were yelling at them and they were jabbering back.
Even when C.J. Spiller took the opening kickoff of the second half 98-yards to pay dirt it seemed like the Clemson sideline was energized but never fully enthused.
Bowden departs Clemson with a 72-45 record including 43-32 ACC. He also made 8 bowl appearances and received ACC Coaching of the Year honors in 1999 and 2003.
To make matters worse after Wake Forest Bowden benched Cullen Harper and named high touted Quarterback Willy Korn starter, this was the last straw for Tiger fans.
C.J. Spiller claimed he liked Bowden but never felt that he truly motivated his teammates game in and game out. In the end Spiller pointed out that the players in the end they were not buying into his system. Spiller was also displeased that Bowden refused to utilize his talented backfield every other play and got away from running the football with the success that both Davis and Spiller had on the field in previous seasons.
"He was yelling at us to be leaders and it wasn't working. He did all he could to motivate us but guys weren't buying into what he was saying. And he said a lot of the same things over and over again” said Running Back C.J. Spiller. "He let the offensive coordinator [Rob Spence run the show and we got away from me and James Davis. I think part of the problem was when he benched Cullen” Spiller said.
It seemed like his team was the class of the ACC at certain points while looking like underachievers at other points.
His exit marks 10 years of a Jekyll and Hyde team that seemed to be on the cusp of being an elite team but never seemed to take the next step. With recruits decommitting and James Davis, and C.J. Spiller playing on Sunday’s next year it is going to be a tall order for the new Clemson head man to get the team rolling in the right direction again.