Varsity [206]
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Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:05 PM
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I thought this story might interest some of you old timers on TN. I dont usually post much here but with all the new changes for our football program I figured I would share a true story that happened in South Georgia back in the late 90s. I live in South Georgia and have attend many high school football games over the years. On several occasions I have ran into a former Clemson assistant coach Rick Stockstill, a super nice guy and I was sorry when he left Clemson. My daughter was in the local high school band and this particular rainy and foggy Friday night the local high school was playing a football power house just from up the road. Even though it was a home game I knew we would get waxed which we did. On the way to the game we stopped at a local service station for gas and I had just finished pumping my gas when I looked up and there looking me straight in the eye was Rick Stockstill. I had on my Clemson hat and I said "Rick"? and much to my surprise he responded "Is that you Gus"? He remembered my name even though it had been a couple of years since we had bumped into one another. He told me he had flown down to the local airport so he could recruit a player from this out of town high school and if we could give him directions to the football field. I told him we are going to the game and he could follow us. When he got back in the Old clunker he had borrowed from the airport it would not start and he very hurriedly flagged me down and asked me if I could take him to the game. I very enthusiastically said "Oh Hell Yes". Before we went to the game we went back to my house to get my truck (a 1978 Clemson orange Datsun pick up)so my wife and daughter could go on to the game and we would follow and Rick and myself would have a vehicle after the game to deal with the old clunker. Rick's flight plan was to take off at 10pm and fly to Maryland because the next day the Tigers were playing the Terps. We went to the game and Rick spent all of the first half recruiting on the visitors side of the field. We went back to the old clunker after the game and got it started and Rick was on his way. About 3 weeks later I found a package in my 1978 Datsun pickup from Rick and it was 4 Clemson football Tee shirts! Dont know how or when they got put there and I tell people when I wear them that these are My "Nick Eason" tee shirts. Our new offensive line coach was the player that Rick was recruiting that rainy Friday night in the Bacon County vs Toombs County football game.
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Oculus Spirit [40103]
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:08 PM
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That is a great story! Thanks for sharing!
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Fan [38]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:20 PM
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i think Rick was one the best coaches every at Clemson I got to be a good friend with him They call me the peanut man
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Head Coach [970]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 7, 2022, 7:53 AM
[ in reply to Re: Rick Stockstill Story ] |
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I love this story and a breath of fresh air in this social media climate.
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110%er [3720]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:17 PM
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Cool story!
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CU Medallion [18550]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Great story!
Jan 6, 2022, 5:19 PM
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Tiger Spirit [9986]
TigerPulse: 57%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:20 PM
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Coach Stock was a good one and Coach Eason will be also.
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Orange Phenom [14808]
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I'll be dang...
Jan 6, 2022, 5:21 PM
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Love it! Thanks for sharing that story!
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Clemson Icon [27840]
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:22 PM
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Great story!
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Orange Blooded [2535]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:23 PM
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Great story. You should post more. Enjoyed it.
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Clemson Sports Icon [58850]
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:53 PM
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Thank you for sharing!
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Rival Killer [2747]
TigerPulse: 92%
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Why do I feel like Francis Marion is going to
Jan 6, 2022, 5:57 PM
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Hijack this story and create a spin-off for himself in 3, 2, 1….
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Clemson Sports Icon [55733]
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 5:57 PM
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Awesome. You should post more. Let's make this the POTD. I hope this gets to both Nick and Dabo. I'm sure both would love to hear/read it.
Spot the ball !!!!!
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110%er [6938]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 6:05 PM
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What a fun story. Thanks for sharing! Go Tigers!
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All-American [582]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 6:08 PM
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Great Story , Thanks
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Freshman [10]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 8, 2022, 8:47 PM
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Really a cool story!!
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Rival Killer [3078]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 6:26 PM
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Great story... Stockstill and Herring were the only two holdovers from West's staff to Bowden and they were both great coaches. Rich Basacha left when Bowden came in and I think went to the NFL and has been there ever since. Think he started at the Cowboys and is now the interim head coach at Las Vegas, taking over for Gruden.
Its crazy to think Bowden didn't hold onto him, but he brought in Burton Burns in to coach the RBs. Burton Burns ended up at Alabama and we never would have gotten ETN if it wasn't for Burton calling Clemson to let them know he wanted ETN, but didn't have a scholarship for him.
Its fun reflecting back on how far we have come and some of the people that made it possible.
Another one is Ren Windam.... the glue that held the Clemson program together for so many decades. She is retired now but if you ever get a chance to grab a drink with her, it will be time well spent.
Message was edited by: bobbyb99®
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Game Changer [1891]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 6:35 PM
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Awesome story. Thanks for sharing.
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Head Coach [978]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 8:12 PM
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Great story…thanks!
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Team Captain [481]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 8:39 PM
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Great story. I have heard several stories through the years about what a wonderful person he is.
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Tiger Titan [47666]
TigerPulse: 77%
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Joined: 2003
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Rick Stockstill was a relentless recruiter.
Jan 6, 2022, 6:35 PM
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I remember hearing stories about him writing prized recruits handwritten letters daily. He really made them feel special and valued.
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All-In [10497]
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Joined: 2021
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 6, 2022, 9:17 PM
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It is rare to be able to read such an enjoyable in-person account.
About Rick Stockstill, no less!
Thanks very much for sharing it!
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Varsity [240]
TigerPulse: 86%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 7, 2022, 7:34 AM
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Fabulous; thank you!!
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All-Conference [404]
TigerPulse: 97%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 7, 2022, 8:27 AM
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Always cool to hear stories like this. Thanks for sharing.
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Rival Killer [3057]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 7, 2022, 9:34 AM
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Holy cow. I had no idea where this was going and got goose bumps at the end. Thank you for taking the time to share this story.
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Orange Blooded [2693]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Rick Stockstill Story
Jan 7, 2022, 10:45 AM
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This is POTD, and one GREAT thread too. THANKS for sharing and to others who shared also.
GO TIGERS!!!!!
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Freshman [-94]
TigerPulse: 68%
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Hopefully on his death bed he will pull a deep throat
Jan 7, 2022, 10:13 AM
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And finally reveal why Tommie Frazier at the last minute signed with Nebraska after being committed to Clemson. Supposedly he told Stock and Stock promised to never tell anyone. Although I would think he told Danny Ford. But that has been a mystery Clemson people have wanted to know the answer to for a long long time!
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All-Time Great [91573]
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Joined: 2006
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Rick is a true gem and still thought of very highly to this day.
Jan 7, 2022, 10:49 AM
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I remember when he left Clemson, at that time he was our best recruiter, and most of us worried how that might affect our recruiting. Then his replacement turned out to be Dabo Swinney and he turned out to be pretty good too. ??
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Valley Protector [1440]
TigerPulse: 87%
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Great story****
Jan 8, 2022, 11:09 AM
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Valley Protector [1440]
TigerPulse: 87%
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Great recruiter in his day****
Jan 8, 2022, 11:10 AM
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