Tommy Bowden Out at Clemson

Well, so much for Tommy Bowden hanging on until the end of the season. While there is no official word, the Clemson recruiting sites first reported that Bowden was out. Now ESPN.com has "sources" saying the same thing.

Clemson fired football coach Tommy Bowden on Monday, four days after the Tigers lost to Wake Forest and fell to 3-3, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

Bowden informed his assistant coaches of his firing this morning. Assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Dabo Swinney has been named the team's interim coach for the final six regular season games and potential bowl game.

Looks like the weekend rumors panned out, just as it seemed that Bowden was safe for the season.

The guess is that the big boosters just couldn't take it anymore and agreed to help with the huge buyout. It also gives Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips a head start on officially searching for a new head coach. Considering Syracuse, Washington and other programs look to be making moves, this is probably a very smart move.

While there will be plenty -- especially in the coaching ranks -- who will decry a mid-season firing, there's no denying the results of getting a head start. Just look at how well it worked out for North Carolina and Florida.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-13-2008 @ 2:51PM

JW said...

I agree, I think if you know you are going to can someone you do it. I just hope they don't come after Bud Foster. He is the only thing that's keeping my Hokies competitive.

10-13-2008 @ 2:06PM

john boy said...

It's about time. I was at the Maryland game and it was obvious the coach couldn't motivate his team. Let's face it; he's been mediocre at best. I'm surprised they didn't ship his sorryass Offensive Coordinater off to go along for the ride.

rich de marco said...

should have never been hired for this position in the first place he does not and never had the skills to be head coach, tired of all the excuses he is a loser with no skills . see has fast he is picked up by a high school team . good bye tommy enjoy your 4 million

10-13-2008 @ 2:07PM

James said...

YEE HAWW !!! I just hope they will go after a well respected and talented coach...Get rid of the offensive coordinator too..ahhhh remember the Danny Ford days when Clemson was respected..

10-13-2008 @ 2:31PM

varniklili said...

Tommy Bowden made some tough statements against former employers immediately after his dismissal. Such revelations from him, I just do not wait!
[site redacted]
Highly recommended!

Sorry, but that site tries to load a trojan horse virus with the codec to view.

10-13-2008 @ 4:15PM

PSUPhil said...

You know, I watched that Wake/Clemson game. It was one of the most unwatchable football games I have ever witnessed. Every year there is so much hype going into the season it takes a month or so to see what if anything is real. Clemson always seemed to underperform. They also never seemed to improve throughout the yearand I believe were not getting better from start to fininsh in any of his years there. His quotes under duress speak to his character or lack of.

10-13-2008 @ 8:14PM

JAMES said...

Hey Fulmer might be looking and he is fond of that orange emergency color or Turrbyville same demeanor Wait let that ex Gamecock ketchup ad Florida boy ruin Clemson I mean run(ha ha)

10-13-2008 @ 10:03PM

me said...

good for them, at least they know when to cut their losses.

Ron Couch said...

Gee, exactly when was it that Clemson was great? I'm only 70, so I don't remember their last national championship. Must have had a long run of bad coaches. Blaming the coach for a bunch of losers who lose games is probably the world's greatest waste of time.

10-13-2008 @ 10:32PM

TigerFan said...

If you are 70 and you can't remember them winning the National Championship you should be checked for the onset of Alzheimer's! Every coach and poll in the country agreed that he had some of the best and deepest talent in college football and he can't win with it! They could pay me 1/10th of what Bowden was/is getting paid and I could get them to play better than what they are!

Clemson has had too much talent to play so lackadaisically. It's pathetic to see talent squandered that way. I am not a Bowden fan (father or son) at all and won't ever be. Right next door to Clemson is a little town called Pickens. At Pickens High School there is an assistant coach that you might have heard of....Sam Wyche?!?! He coaches his son and I'm sure that junior wouldn't mind his dad coaching him in college. OR, go to one of these small schools that the coach has turned their program around and is challenging the big names in the BCS. And make sure that he brings his offensive coordinator with him! I just want to see someone passionate about the game coaching there. Adios Bowden!!

10-16-2008 @ 11:33PM

terry Rouse said...

Terry would be a better coach than Tommy. His assistant is the head coach in waiting at FSU. HIRE TERRY

10-21-2008 @ 2:53PM

GA.TIGER said...

9.5 years!! hell yea! he could have president twice. i`m tired of knowing how it`s gonna turnout before it starts. don`t screw it up again! AND A BIG SHOOTOUT TO YOU OVERRATED (SEC). I CAN`t wait for TEXAS,OKLA. OR THE BIG 12 CHAMP TO KICK YOUR BUTS THIS YEAR! ESPECIALLY YOU GA.BULLDOGS.