Clemson coordinators talk coaching rumors, future coaching plans

All three of Clemson’s coordinators were rumored to be head coaching candidates over the past couple of weeks after the Tigers defeated Miami in the ACC title game.

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables and co-offensive coordinators Jeff Scott and Tony Elliott spoke with the media on Thursday for the first time since the rumors started.

Venables, who was believed to be in play for the Arkansas, Mississippi State and Tennessee jobs, confirmed that he had several opportunities but did not find the right fit.

“There’s nothing that was just too good to pass up. Great opportunities, but just not the right ones for me right now,” Venables said. “All of those things, again, you never say never, but man, it doesn’t get much better, if at all, than what we have. Again, like I said, I’m thankful for what I have and just have a very good perspective on what we have. There are thousands of guys that would love just the opportunity to be a very small part of this program, so it’s a great situation.”

Venables responded, “I don’t know,” when asked if he would want to become a head coach down the road.

“I’m a simple guy ... We all want to be where you feel valued. You want to feel like you’re good at what you do, that you’re contributing and that people recognize you,” Venables said. “You don’t ever want to overstay your welcome anywhere, but I think if again, the right people are keeping the right focus, then good things don’t have to come to an end.”

Elliott, who was rumored to be a head coaching candidate at UCF, did not confirm if he interviewed for the job but did say he was considered.

Elliott added that he has thought about becoming a head coach down the road.

“I think anytime you’re in this position you want to aspire to reach the highest level, so it was a tremendous honor to even be considered,” he said. “I’m still trying to be the best offensive coordinator I can be. Clemson is home. Coach (Dabo) Swinney’s been unbelievable to me and my family. The timing wasn’t right. But it was an honor to have my name in consideration.”

Elliott went on to say he has work still to do as an assistant before he is ready to become a head coach.

“It just illustrated to me that opportunities may be available to me in the future and that I’ve got to prepare myself,” he said. “It did open my eyes at some point in time down the road, if that is an aspiration I have, to ready myself because I’m not prepared to go in and interview as a head coach because I still don’t know enough as a head coach about that process and what they do on a daily basis.”

Scott was rumored to be a candidate at South Alabama and also did not confirm if he interviewed for the job, but did discuss his coaching future.

“I’m a man of faith and so I’ve been able to look at my entire life, not just my career, and I’ve been able to see how the Lord has a plan, and he’ll speak and he’ll let me know when’s the right time,” Scott said. “I love my position at Clemson. I don’t take it for granted. I feel very blessed … I’ve never been in a hurry to take off and leave … If that opportunity comes one day, then I’ll know it, but right now I’m really excited about the future. I’m thinking about the younger group that’s going to be coming here in the next two or three years, and that really gets me excited. As long as that happens, I hope I get to continue to come to Clemson to work every day.”

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 9:08 PM with the headline "Clemson coordinators talk coaching rumors, future coaching plans."