Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008

Gillespie: Scott family looks back, then ahead

CLEMSON

STANDING AT MIDFIELD of Clemson’s Memorial Stadium on this rainy Saturday, Jeff Scott flashed back half his 27 years, recalling his first South Carolina-Clemson game here.

The Tigers’ receivers coach smiled at the memory of himself as a 14-year-old, hauling headset cords for his father, who in 1994 was the Gamecocks’ first-year coach. Mostly, he said, he remembered his first taste of this bitter rivalry.

“Clemson waited until the first series when we got the ball, and their security guys tried to kick me off the field,” he said as celebrating Tigers fans pounded his back following Saturday’s 31-14 win. “They said I was too young; I was 14, and they said you had to be 18.

“There was a big war between the Clemson police and the S.C. Highway Patrolmen” who formed Brad Scott’s security detail. “Luckily, I got to stay after a call to (then-Clemson athletics director) Bobby Robinson.”

Memories. There were plenty of those this week at the Scott households — and questions about what the future holds.

While everyone debates the future of coach Dabo Swinney, Clemson’s staff left behind by former coach Tommy Bowden faces the grim prospect of being out of jobs by Christmas.

For Brad, offensive line coach and assistant head coach, fond memories of the rivalry from both sides are accompanied by that reality. The elder Scott, 54, came to Clemson 10 years ago after being fired by the Gamecocks. Clemson was his salvation in 1998; what will it be a week or so from now?

“You don’t know, but you hope this is not the last game you coached in Death Valley,” he said. “You get to this point in your career, the way this season has been ... but we played good today versus a good defense. That shows me we’re getting there.”

Indeed. If the Scotts wanted to help Swinney make a statement, they succeeded.

Especially Brad, whose offensive line, blamed for a balky offense much of the season, cleared the way for James Davis and C.J. Spiller to recapture their “Thunder and Lightning” personas.

“That was sweet,” Brad said. “They’ve got a chance now, and I’m glad (the linemen) had a chance to get over the hump.”

Jeff’s receivers were also effective. Aaron Kelly had four catches for 76 yards, and Jacoby Ford’s lone catch went for 50 yards and Clemson’s third score.

But what will that mean when Swinney and athletics director Terry Don Phillips meet today? Neither Scott knows.

And so they did the only thing they could do: their jobs.

“We’ve known since coach Bowden resigned, our futures might be in doubt,” Jeff said. “(They said), ‘Just enjoy these seven weeks we get to coach; go out and have fun, and let God take care of everything else.’

“He’s got a plan for us, just like 10 years ago when Dad was fired at Carolina. You think then it’s the end of the world, but 10 years later, we wouldn’t have traded it for anything. So have a good time and see what happens.”

For all those reasons, this Thanksgiving was a special time for the family. All the worries took a back seat to knowing they face those worries — and the memories — together.

“It’s funny; we’ve been watching my dad, looking for a sign from him” of concern, “but he’s the same as always,” said John Scott, Jeff’s younger brother and a pre-med student at Vanderbilt. “I said, ‘Dad, this could be another Carolina-Clemson game or the last one.’”

Brad said he didn’t allow himself to look beyond Saturday. He has reveled in Jeff’s chance to be a full-time coach the past seven weeks after starting the season as a graduate assistant.

“I step back and hope this can continue for him,” Brad said. “For me, after 30-plus years (coaching), I hope things turn out well; I hope (Swinney) is named head coach and maybe I’ll be a part of that. But it’s like I told the offensive line: You can’t take anything for granted.”

Maybe father husband and son will be here next fall, maybe not. But they hope so.

Swinney understands. If he is Clemson’s coach next year, he said, he wants both Scotts on his sideline. Especially Brad, whose arms he leaped into following a Tigers touchdown on Saturday.

“He’s the biggest guy we’ve got. He won’t drop me,” Swinney said, laughing.

Of such moments are memories made.

Postgame interviews: Swinney, Clemson players

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