Actually guys, we don’t have a new DC. They have made no hire, although John Chavis, Joe Kines, and Ellis Johnson have been mentioned. It looks as though its Chavis’ if he wants it.

Nevertheless, its unlikely Chavis will take over for the Bowl game, three weeks is not enough time to install a new scheme.

In the interim, the LB Coaches Ron West and David Blackwell are running the defense for the bowl game.

West was a former DC at ULL, Blackwell has no DC experience that I know of. Both prefer a more attacking style than did Vic Koenning.

The major knock on Bowden was that the team either looked like chicken salad or chicken shit. We were a very streaky team, but one that could never win the biggest games. Thus, no championships despite the arguably the best skill position talent in the league (FSU has fallen in recruiting lately). The coaches could always bring in top talent, but development and PROPER USAGE of their talents was woefully inadequate.

For example, one of our two best RBs, James Davis (power runner, inside) and Spiller (speed rusher, sweeps, wheel routes, outside rushes), would be used in situations that called for the other’s particular skillset, with no obvious reason.

I am one of those who will accept D. Swinney only if he wins championships, thats all he has to do. I’m not what we call a “sunshine pumper” who believes Clemson’s administration always makes the right decisions and blindfully supports the head coach in everything he does. People like that are why Bowden was given 10 years, when I wanted him out after 2004. Dabo has done all the right things to get the job, and the team has improved. There was always the inability to “out-tough” our opponents under Bowden, and Swinney is making strides in fixing that. In some ways the team looks much different, much less finesse, and more of a mean streak that Bowden’s teams never had.

That lack of toughness is one reason why our OL has been unable to properly gel, and the massive injuries we’ve had up front really killed us in the losses we’ve had this season. I would say this team would be at 9 or 10 wins if we had an OL this year.

Koenning is someone who coaches best when he keeps his mouth shut. He’s always been a big talker who tends to open-mouth-insert-foot whenever you put a microphone in front of him. He clearly felt slighted that he didnt get the interim job (despite his woeful record at Wyoming as HC), and his soft zone coverage is not what Dabo (or alot of Tiger fans) want. He essentially refuses to call blitzes, and drops 7 every play (thus our good passing stats). Another major knock against his defense was their inability to get off the field on 3rd downs.

But our D has saved us all year, and VK is a pretty good coach. I wish him the best and you can always expect his defenses to be at the top statistically. I just think its a combination of philosophical differences, and VK’s apparent disrespect of Swinney.

I believe Swinney’s intention is to go after someone who will play press-man/bump&run and blitz more often.