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Stay Near a Computer
Normally on Friday we have our e-mail bag segment but I thought about going another direction today.

Some are shocked and most are disgusted by the events surrounding the football program at Clemson. Last night was another piece of evidence that a change had to be made.

I think a decision might have already been made or will come soon but it could take a few hours or days to iron out details of how the athletic department will handle this situation. I was around when Coach Ford, Coach Hatfield, Coach West and Coach Shyatt were fired or resigned. These things take a few hours or days to work out depending on the individuals and details of each individual situation.

I am not sure when they announce the decision. I am not sure if Bowden will be allowed to coach the rest of the season or if they will go with an interim coach. But at this point I think the powers at Clemson understand that something has to be done.

Here is what I know at this point:
*Several key players in this decision understand that a change has to be made. It is now not a matter of if but has now become a matter of when.

*I was told by a very good source that one of the board of trustees cancelled an important business meeting this morning because he had to head to Clemson. I do not know the nature of his visit to Clemson and it may be a sheer coincidence. It is not fair to assume that this concerns football but I think it is fair to be intrigued by the timing.

*I have some information about Clemson’s interest in replacement candidates and information about potential candidates’ interest in Clemson. However, until a change is made I think it is inappropriate to discuss. I hope you will agree on this policy. Believe me, the blog will discuss in detail potential candidates as soon as an opening occurs but this is not the appropriate time.

*I have been told that several key boosters, former members of the board and top university officials have been in contact with the athletic department. These contacts obviously started last week but have continued throughout the early part of this morning and more are scheduled this afternoon.

*I have been in contact with a couple of college coaches this morning (none of the Clemson staff) as they have called to see if anything is happening today.

This is a fluid situation and new information continues to come in by the hour. Please understand the need to be a little brief with the blog today in an attempt to work the telephones. However, check back as I will try to update throughout the day and weekend with anything significant. My advice is for Clemson fans to stay near a computer or telephone today and this weekend. I am not trying to be overly dramatic but instead I think we all are aware that something could happen at any time. Thanks.

****12:35 Update****
I have talked several more people since posting the first blog. Here is what I am hearing from multiple sources inside the athletic department and those close to a couple of board members:
Bowden's pre-scheduled teleconference is still on for this afternoon. This is a routine teleconference and I am not expecting a lot of news coming out of this.

From the trustees standpoint, I trust my sources and they are pretty consistent in thinking that a change is coming. However, I have not heard any news about a the "board with an official meeting" this morning.

It was reiterated to me again a few minutes ago that the details of this type of thing are complicated and no one is sure of the timing.

At this point it would not surprise me if they do something this afternoon or later this weekend. It also would not surprise me if they waited until after the season to announce the decision because at least one official thinks that is the way to handle this.

The Tigers have practice scheduled for Sunday afternoon. If an announcement is coming before the Georgia Tech game, I was told it would come before that practice.

Everyone has to consider the credibility of their sources and weigh what you say with that in mind. This is a fluid situation and I am not exactly sure when it will work itself out. As I stated earlier, I would just stay close to the computer today and throughout the weekend.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Comments:

THERE IS A GOD!!!

Posted by otisman on October 10, 2008 at 11:18 AM EDT #

I know you said there is a list of potential candidates. I really hope Bobby Johnson is NOT one of them. I feel strongly that he is not the guy to turn this thing around.

Posted by gtyoung10 on October 10, 2008 at 11:22 AM EDT #

Please tell me this is not some demented April Fools ( October?) joke. I will be terribly disappointed if nothing happens NOW!

Posted by RainyDayHillSitter on October 10, 2008 at 11:27 AM EDT #

What is the best way to keep up with the happenings? will you be updating your blog consistently today? I like many others just want to stay on top of this story....

Posted by CUTigerFan81 on October 10, 2008 at 11:32 AM EDT #

Anxiously awaiting some news. Something has got to give.

Posted by hunter61 on October 10, 2008 at 11:34 AM EDT #

Tommy, thanks for being a good man and representing Clemson in a good way. Dont worry, im sure there is a good position for you in the AD's office...lol

Posted by balllin on October 10, 2008 at 11:46 AM EDT #

cutigerfan81,
I will update when anything signficant happens. I want to make clear that I am not sure when or if they make any announcements but to be safe I would be near the computer all weekend.

Posted by Mickey Plyler on October 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM EDT #

Mickey - you can't basically say he is out based on your sources, suggesting to stay near a computer for an announcement and then say you don't know if it will happen.

If its false, you added tremendous fuel to the fire without merit.

Posted by Justwannaread on October 10, 2008 at 12:04 PM EDT #

Old Tiger05,
Please consider the language. Kids and women read the board and this is inappropriate.

Posted by Mickey Plyler on October 10, 2008 at 12:13 PM EDT #

Justwannaread,
Maybe you want to read it again. I did not say Tommy has been fired yet. Go back and read it again. I did not say TDP said this. I have not talked to TDP. However, I have to talked to a ton of very good sources with direct knowledge of the situation. I did say that many of those people understand what is happening. I did say that they are currently having high level meetings and conversations. I did say it is a fluid situation and I did say that I am not sure how or when they will announce anything. I don't know when anything will be announced but I did say I would stay near a computer this weekend.

Posted by Mickey Plyler on October 10, 2008 at 12:19 PM EDT #

Kids and women read this board? Not sure if that was supposed to be funny...but it was!

Posted by saiken79 on October 10, 2008 at 12:31 PM EDT #

TIME TO PACK YOUR SKIRT AND PANTIES TB.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 36 YEARS I WAS GLAD CLEMSON LOST-AND DIDN'T ESCAPE WITH A SORRY WIN THAT WOULD HELP KEEP TB ON LIFE SUPPORT.

HEY ROB SPENCE THERE IS NO CRYING IN FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DON'T EVEN QUALIFY TO COACH POWDERPUFF FOOTBALL ANYMORE!!

LAST NIGHT WAS THE WORST COACHED FOOTBALL GAME I HAVE EVER SEEN.I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED CULLEN HARPERS NEW MOONBALL.

HEY IPTAY NO MORE $$$$$ FROM ME UNLESS A CHANGE IS MADE NOW.

Posted by tiger7272 on October 10, 2008 at 12:39 PM EDT #

saiken79,
I do not see the humor in it. I know a bunch of women who read the board. I also know a bunch of high school kids who read it. I don;t think it is appropriate to drop an F-Bomb on here considering who reads it.

Posted by Mickey Plyler on October 10, 2008 at 12:40 PM EDT #

My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who heard Tommy was no longer going to be the coach. I guess it's pretty serious.

Posted by Ritas Boss on October 10, 2008 at 12:42 PM EDT #

Posted by Ritas Boss on October 10, 2008 at 12:44 PM EDT #

justwannaread and just_saying,

unbelievable people still support TB.

I saw this coming over 5 years ago. A lot of people on TNET owe me some cash.

I'm just-saying I just-wanna-read TB and Spence have been fired.

Posted by flatiger66 on October 10, 2008 at 12:44 PM EDT #

justwannaread and just_saying,

unbelievable people still support TB.

I saw this coming over 5 years ago. A lot of people on TNET owe me some cash.

I'm just-saying I just-wanna-read TB and Spence have been fired.

Posted by flatiger66 on October 10, 2008 at 12:45 PM EDT #

Posted by Ritas Boss on October 10, 2008 at 12:47 PM EDT #

Mickey, no offense meant, but have you walked by a middle school playground or high school recently? I don't think a few curse words on TNET are going to shock any kids, or women for that matter. Probably only offend your bible thumping, TB loving, evangelical fans. I could care less about them, they're part of the problem as far as I'm concerned.

Posted by flatiger66 on October 10, 2008 at 12:50 PM EDT #

Cody, you little sunshine pumper who likes to make fun of Mickey. You can leave with Bowden.

Posted by OldTiger05 on October 10, 2008 at 12:53 PM EDT #

For the sake of our committment to excellence in college football and a love for what we have always known as the Clemson family, CTB and RS need to be released before the next scheduled team practice on Sunday. Let Dabo be the interim head coach!

Posted by EGTiger83 on October 10, 2008 at 12:57 PM EDT #

They will not announce anything until seasons end...for the very reason you stated Mickey...."It also would not surprise me if they waited until after the season to announce the decision because at least one official thinks that is the way to handle this."
I bet that "one official" is a high ranking member. So we will all endure the pain of the pitiful coaching.

Posted by MackDaddy on October 10, 2008 at 01:14 PM EDT #

If Tommy has to stay the rest of the season, at least fire Spence immediately because he is a freaking joke. His offense is a joke. His play calling is a joke. Mad Scientist? Boy he sure pulled the wool over Tommy's eyes. My grandma who knows nothing about football could come up with more imaginative plays than this guy does.

Also, what is up with Harper? Something's gotta be wrong with him physically, this is not the same guy who played last year. And why is the staff so darn stubborn in not wanting to replace him with Korn?

Posted by drock4484 on October 10, 2008 at 01:37 PM EDT #

drock4484,
Last year Harper had to hear all the praise upon Korn and he had a chip on his shoulder. He had something to prove. Unfortunately, he knows Bowden will not bench him and there is no pressure to play like he did last year. It only takes a few games to be in the crap house at this or any other school with fans as passionate as ours. He needs to be benched not only to shake things up, but to show if you don't perform, you are not guaranteed a job. If we all sucked at our jobs we would be reprimanded or fired!
That had to be the worst game I've seen since the Tommy West era.

Posted by El_Tigre95 on October 10, 2008 at 02:23 PM EDT #

El Tigre95: Harper wants to get drafted by the NFL for millions of dollars so I'm sure that he has plenty of motivation to play even better than he did last year (regardless of whether Willy is pushing him). Harper is playing poorly due to his injuries and/or his confidence. But either way, through the last 5 games, he's disappointed, his NFL hopes are sadly gone, and so is the ACC title. Therefore the coaches need to play Korn to spark the team and prepare for him next year. Of course, a coach might be more inclined to prepare for next year if he thought he would be around next year.

The Alabama game was worse. Spence is aweful.

Posted by Razzmatazz on October 10, 2008 at 02:42 PM EDT #

Somebody please give me one good reason to stay with TB the rest of the year. I call it the the Titanic syndrome, the ship is hopelessly taking on water and we are all expected to drown with the ship, but not before our IPTAY dues are paid in full. Whoever this person of influence is, he is an idiot with too much money.Just because you are rich, doesn't make you qualifed for jack.Let's throw our recruits a lifeline. Let them see we can make a positive change and not keep ramming into the same damn iceberg over and over and over. We must now rebuild and maybe, just maybe we will be able to beat Duke. Terry Don assessing at the end of the season is the biggest crock, and he probably needs to go pack along with Tommy. Is he just waiting for a body count at the bottom of the ocean??? There are nine ruined seasons down there already.

Posted by tiger7272 on October 10, 2008 at 03:16 PM EDT #

Korn starts. You have to be threatened to be fired before you change. strange...

Posted by tanpeylan on October 10, 2008 at 03:23 PM EDT #

Alright! They just announced that Korn will start against GT. Now if they could just announce a new OC for the GT game.

Posted by Razzmatazz on October 10, 2008 at 03:42 PM EDT #

What a sorry ecxuse for a coach. They left Cullen a message saying he is no longer the starter. Hey TB we need more than a spark, we need you to pack.

Posted by tiger7272 on October 10, 2008 at 03:42 PM EDT #

They left him a message?!? Haha, should have just wrote on his facebook wall or text him... what a patsy.

Posted by RobertsonCU on October 10, 2008 at 03:55 PM EDT #

They left him a message?!? Haha, should have just wrote on his facebook wall or text him... what a patsy.

Posted by RobertsonCU on October 10, 2008 at 04:01 PM EDT #

They called him in the game also. He did answer. Oh well. Tomorrow is starting to be sunny and bright.

Posted by tanpeylan on October 10, 2008 at 04:01 PM EDT #

So...that's it!?! Mickey, you got the whole Tiger Nation riled up for a QB change???

Appreciate the effort but, DUDE...come on!!!

Posted by ATLRichie on October 10, 2008 at 04:36 PM EDT #

2 words...WILL MUSCHAMP

Posted by Prime T.+Tiger on October 10, 2008 at 05:28 PM EDT #

2 words...WILL MUSCHAMP

Posted by Prime T.+Tiger on October 10, 2008 at 05:49 PM EDT #

Does Mickey work on the weekend?

Posted by Killit on October 10, 2008 at 05:51 PM EDT #

Does Mickey work on the weekend?

Posted by Killit on October 10, 2008 at 05:51 PM EDT #

2 words...WILL MUSCHAMP

Posted by Prime T.+Tiger on October 10, 2008 at 06:06 PM EDT #

Would Bill Cowher be in the picture as the new coach? He's sat around a couple years and has to be missing the field. He has stated that he would consider coaching again, and he has the intensity and motivation on the sideline for this team. Something we haven't had in awhile. Although I do feel that Bobby Johnson might be an okay fit, it's basically a lateral switch between him and Bowden. And I heard the Skip Holtz rumor today. I know the BOT has better since than that. Mickey, if you can comment on it, what do you think about Bill Cowher?

Posted by reeltiger on October 10, 2008 at 06:21 PM EDT #

Hurry up Mickey. I've been waiting by the computer all day and I need to go to the bathroom.

Posted by Razzmatazz on October 10, 2008 at 08:12 PM EDT #

Bill Cowher would be the greatest hire in the history of hires.

Nick Saban was resistant to Alabama but eventually was seduced by power and money.

Clemson just has to get Cowher to come to Clemson.

Posted by Big Case on October 10, 2008 at 08:51 PM EDT #

For thos who argue that Cowher wants to coach in the NFL. I respectfully disagree.

The man loves power football and the NFL is morphing into a passing league
where hard hitting is starting to be discouraged.

Cowher was born to coach college football TDP just has to sell the ranch and bring him to Clemson.

Posted by Big Case on October 10, 2008 at 08:54 PM EDT #

Prime T.+Tiger is a genius.

Posted by Big Case on October 10, 2008 at 08:54 PM EDT #

I am still waiting Mickey, how long do I have to sit here?

Posted by MackDaddy on October 10, 2008 at 09:47 PM EDT #

flatiger66.....huh? What in the hell are you talking about? I would have let Bowden go to Arkansas, I would have fired him after the Bama game, after the MD and after the Wake game.....that has nothing to do with my comments that I think Mickey talked out of side of his mouth without credible info. He, being a writer on this site with 'sources' shouldn't splice words and say he is told, or not.

Just talking like his blog makes everything a mess.

Posted by Justwannaread on October 10, 2008 at 10:47 PM EDT #

Just talking like his blog makes everything a mess.

Posted by Justwannaread on October 10, 2008 at 10:50 PM EDT #

It's 2AM and I'm STILL waiting by my PC. C'mon Mickey! I have to pee really bad.

Posted by Razzmatazz on October 11, 2008 at 03:13 AM EDT #

Mickey, can you just give out your phone number?

Posted by you on October 11, 2008 at 07:52 AM EDT #

Wow, what sad souls. If you don't want to read his blogs, then don't! I never get this, why must everyone blame Mickey for YOU getting hyped up about something he states (which is never a direct statement that something is going to happen, just that something MIGHT)? Yea, sometimes he bloviates, but don't we all?

Take anything you read and hear with a grain of salt and do your own research.

Mickey, you have anyway of canceling peoples user names? I'd start with Razzmatazz.

Just a thought.

Posted by RobertsonCU on October 11, 2008 at 09:41 AM EDT #

WOW they changed the QB;S mickey; way to overreact AGAIN.

Posted by ORANGECRUDE on October 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM EDT #

The media and particularly YOU was the MAIN CAUSE that we lost the game to Wake Forest.

You can tell Tommy Bowden, his assistants and the players were tensed before the Wake Forest game was played.

It was VERY SHAMEFUL for the media particularly you that asked for Tommy Bowden's head before an important game was played. Most of the media do not love Clemson but you do. How could you do that if you love Clemson?

Your negative statements hurt the team's morals & spirits greatly and put tremendous pressures on Tommy Bowden, his assistants, and the players. They don't deserve that from a person who said that he loves Clemson.

You should know that you have a lot of influence upon tiger fans You stirred the Clemson fans up with an atomic bomb.

You basically gave Tommy Bowden a low blow and killed Our Tiger Team but gave Wake Forest a triumph because of your negative writing.

You lost my respect when you wrote that negative blog.

Respectfully yours,

John.

Posted by TIGERBOLT on October 11, 2008 at 12:03 PM EDT #

I would say tigerbolt's opinion is very much in the minority.

Posted by jabbo on October 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM EDT #

Mickey you actually earned a tremendous amount of respect from most of the Tiger nation. It can't be easy calling for TB to pack considering he has reached out to your family during your most trying time.

If you can't handle criticism do not play football and certainly do not ever go get a job. Our team should be practicing not reading blogs. SO SHUT UP JOHN- and if that makes you cry great.

WHERE IS MY FREAKING UPDATE MICKEY.

Posted by tiger7272 on October 11, 2008 at 01:40 PM EDT #

I guess John would rather be lied to, conned, BS'd, and live with his head in the sand or up his ass rather than hear the truth. Sadly, too many evangelicals and TB LOVERS think TNET is ONLY here to blow smoke up our asses and only positive things should be posted, the truth be damned. I honestly don't see how some of these people handle the real world as naive and sheltered as they are. And Rob Spence, jesus, why is a guy that emotionally unstable even in coaching? Folks, big time college football is big business and high pressure. It's a game for men, not children, or head cases.

Posted by flatiger66 on October 11, 2008 at 03:14 PM EDT #

If you can't handle criticism do not play football and certainly do not ever go get a job. Our team should be practicing not reading blogs. SO SHUT UP JOHN- and if that makes you cry great.

WHERE IS MY FREAKING UPDATE MICKEY.

Posted by tiger7272 on October 11, 2008 at 05:46 PM EDT #

FLATIGER66 u and I see the world the same way. I got a cold beers waiting for you at the next game. I will be easy to spot, cause I'm going to be leading the FIRE TOMMY chant until I get escorted out of my overpriced seat.

Posted by tiger7272 on October 11, 2008 at 05:55 PM EDT #

To: Mickey Plyler

Cris Ard of TI has the Class to judge Tommy Bowden after the season. And you don't have the Class to do that.

You act like a loose cannon and said negative things about TB before an important game.

Respectully Yours,

John.

Posted by TIGERBOLT on October 11, 2008 at 06:01 PM EDT #

THERE IS A GOD!!!

Posted by otisman on October 10, 2008 at 10:18 AM EDT

Apparently there is no God.

Posted by Fardog on October 11, 2008 at 11:13 PM EDT #

THERE IS A GOD!!!

Posted by otisman on October 10, 2008 at 10:18 AM EDT

Apparently there is no God.

Posted by Fardog on October 12, 2008 at 01:30 AM EDT #

TIGERBOLT, STFU!!!

Mickey has the balls and integrity to be honest, rather than kiss TB's ass like Ard and others. For Ard and other quasi-journalists to NOT write the truth shows a lack of journalistic integrity. The media's job is to critique, not kiss coaches' asses!!

Regarding "waiting till the end of the season" - What exactly are you expecting to change over the next 6 games that we haven't already seen over the past 9 1/2 seasons? There is NOTHING TB can do between now and December to warrant keeping him as coach. NOTHING!!! To think that TB is still the right guy to make Clemson a winner is sheer lunacy!!!

Tiger7272 - Thanks!!

Posted by flatiger66 on October 12, 2008 at 04:46 AM EDT #