Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008

Five keys could help Swinney heal Clemson

CLEMSON — If Dabo Swinney had not captured his players’ attention when he first addressed the team as Clemson’s interim coach, he apparently did so shortly thereafter.

Swinney opened by declaring that it did not matter who was at quarterback — Willy Korn, Cullen Harper or whomever — the Tigers were going to throw the ball deep.

We might overthrow it, Swinney said. But guess what? The Tigers were going to throw deep again.

Most players have said Swinney’s blend of charisma, optimism and sincerity earned their individual trust and infused new life during Clemson’s two practices since he replaced Tommy Bowden.

Based on the small sample available, Swinney apparently is justifying the belief that he stands a better chance than most interim coaches of earning the permanent coaching job at season’s end.

Here are five things Swinney figures to need to accomplish if he is to still merit consideration come December.

1. WEAR A LOT OF HATS

Swinney’s most daunting task arguably is organization.

As the interim coach, Swinney is in charge of all managerial decisions during a game.

He also is sharing play-calling duties with former tight ends coach Billy Napier, who likewise has never served in that capacity.

Plus, after promoting a pair of graduate assistants to the vacated receivers and tight ends coaching jobs, Swinney must help them adjust to new roles and responsibilities.

That is a lot to put on the plate of a veteran coach, much less a 38-year-old position coach.

2. SCORE, THEN SCORE SOME MORE

The prevailing criticism of Bowden was he got less out of more, and Clemson’s offense serves as Exhibit A.

The unit has failed to score more than two touchdowns in each of the team’s past seven losses — a fact hard to reconcile with the skill-position talent available to former offensive coordinator Rob Spence.

The knocks on Spence were that he was predictable and conservative. His passing game worked off a productive running game, and if the running game was not effective, the Tigers couldn’t move the ball.

There is not enough time to implement a new system, but Swinney might not have to. Spence was crafty with X’s and O’s and put in many trick plays he never used during games, including several that blend well with Willy Korn’s running abilities at quarterback.

That said, junior running back C.J. Spiller’s hamstring injury could handicap Swinney’s ability to compensate for a patchwork offensive line.

This stat speaks volumes: When facing third-and-7 or longer this season, the Tigers have converted 2-of-34 chances (5.9 percent), which ranks 118th out of 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams, according to ESPN.

3. CREATE THE PERCEPTION THIS TEAM IS TOUGH

Toughness is one of those traits that can be measured only when one sees it.

No matter how toughness is defined, it would be hard to argue the Tigers have consistently shown it.

From a physical standpoint, opponents with big, physical defenses have owned Clemson. In terms of mental toughness, the Tigers’ defense seems to yield one costly, fourth-quarter drive. In the bigger picture, Bowden’s teams routinely have struggled with prosperity.

That did not sit well with a fan base that seemingly covets a smashmouth attitude reminiscent of the Danny Ford era.

Until the results merit otherwise, perception will remain reality.

4. OVERCOME THE SCHEDULE

It sounds dandy that Swinney and athletics director Terry Don Phillips still consider the Orange Bowl an attainable goal. But with the mess Swinney inherited, the Tigers might be fortunate to reach any bowl.

Only one of two wins against Football Championship Subdivision teams can count toward bowl eligibility, so Clemson must finish with a 7-5 record to reach the postseason. Without a bowl berth, Phillips likely moves forward with his replacement search.

That means the Tigers must win four of their final six games — and none look like easy wins.

Georgia Tech has an unorthodox offense and the league’s marquee defensive line — making it the least ideal team for a staff both scrambling to prepare and breaking in a new quarterback.

Then Clemson has road games at Boston College and Florida State, a home game against improved Duke and a road game at rejuvenated Virginia before the USC finale.

5. HEAL THE RESIDUAL WOUNDS

In order to get some or all of these targets accomplished, Swinney has to quickly unify a divided locker room.

Some coaches believed certain players were giving less than their all because of a sense of entitlement. Some players viewed increased scrutiny at practice as a sign coaches were trying to avoid accountability.

Some veteran players construed Friday’s benching of senior starting quarterback Cullen Harper as a scapegoat tactic. But Harper’s critical comments about Bowden’s leadership — later echoed by Harper’s father — opened a another can of worms.

Swinney, a former real estate developer, has made his name as a top-flight recruiter.

So he can make a sale.

But can he convince the Tigers they have something worth bonding together to play for?