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TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson
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TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

40

Jan 22, 2024, 7:00 AM
Reply

 
In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

Full Story »


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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

28

Jan 22, 2024, 7:15 AM
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Couldn't agree more, David! When the dust settles, running this program the right way will succeed. OSU currently dropping $13M on NIL... trying to buy a championship... no thanks. You can't buy character, and that's what Dabo is all about. If other people would like a team that will win at any cost, there's plenty of schools out there to choose from. But, if you want consistency and character, there's no place like Clemson and there's no coach like Dabo! Go Tigers!

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Thank God we have Dabo who works for free!***

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13

Jan 22, 2024, 7:21 AM
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Re: Thank God we have Dabo who works for free!***

3

Jan 22, 2024, 7:41 AM
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You got some splanin to do.

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Re: Thank God we have Dabo who works for free!***

4

Jan 22, 2024, 12:07 PM [ in reply to Thank God we have Dabo who works for free!*** ]
Reply

The players aren’t working for free they never were but let the disingenuous arguments ensue

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Re: Thank God we have Dabo who works for free!***


Jan 23, 2024, 2:02 PM
Reply

MJC,

The NCAA makes over a billion dollars a year. I think the players deserve a sizeable slice of that pie.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

2

Jan 22, 2024, 11:10 AM [ in reply to Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson ]
Reply

Thank you.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

18

Jan 22, 2024, 7:19 AM
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Great article David!! Thanks for putting into words the way most of us feel that Clemson should continue. The Clemson experience is one of a kind!!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

1

Jan 22, 2024, 7:22 AM
Reply

Well said. Like I said 2 days on this board- each of us has a choice. A (the Dabo way) or (B) demand he get replaced with a “win at all cost coach”.
I have chosen A and will stick to that.

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Harrumph!!! Harrumph!!!

23

Jan 22, 2024, 7:30 AM
Reply

Thanks David for a great great article. I think most of us feel the same way while only a few have that "win at all cost" attitude. I think there's always a good reason to go to Clemson. I look for reasons to visit Clemson... whether it be to visit my son (who's a senior now), go to a ballgame, or just walk around campus.
I hope Clemson is always a place the graduates can be proud to say "I went to Clemson."
Go Tigers!!!

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"If a pig had a better personality, he would cease to be a filthy animal."


Harrumph!!!

10

Jan 22, 2024, 8:47 AM
Reply

Gotta have three Harrumphs in there.

:)

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Re: Harrumph!!!

11

Jan 22, 2024, 9:15 AM
Reply

I didn't get a Harrumph from that guy!!!

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"If a pig had a better personality, he would cease to be a filthy animal."


Re: Harrumph!!!

7

Jan 22, 2024, 10:22 AM
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+1 for Blazing Saddles reference

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Great article

4

Jan 22, 2024, 10:55 AM [ in reply to Harrumph!!! Harrumph!!! ]
Reply

Thumbs up...

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

13

Jan 22, 2024, 7:39 AM
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Well said.

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Most Clemson folk agree.

13

Jan 22, 2024, 7:53 AM
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Just like all other programs we have among us those who think throwing money solves all problems. Their economic philosophy is strictly short term.

My grandmother, rest in peace, would say 'You can't see past the end of your nose.' Life had a way of taking care of that issue for me. I reckon she probably understood that from experience.

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Re: Most Clemson folk agree.

7

Jan 22, 2024, 11:59 AM
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In other words, "Mine! Mine! Mine! Me! Me! Me! Now! Now! Now!" is not a very good long-term strategy.

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Re: Most Clemson folk agree.

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Jan 22, 2024, 2:56 PM
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Nor is this a good strategy for the citizens of this country.

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The hope is that whatever Dabo is doing moving forward works....

2

Jan 22, 2024, 12:34 PM [ in reply to Most Clemson folk agree. ]
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...and we can win at a high level without jumping into the fray.

Unfortunately, the numbers are not playing out in this scenario. I wish it were.

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Re: The hope is that whatever Dabo is doing moving forward works....

6

Jan 22, 2024, 1:56 PM
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Which numbers?

Just two season ago Clemson likely makes the playoffs without a collapse to Carolina. Had Clemson made that playoff, how many would still be on Dabo for the way he runs the program?

So much difference one game means to so many.

When the Tigers make a run next season, does that mean Dabo must play the portal lottery game in hopes of improving on the men that are All In?

It is fairly common sense the approach Dabo is taking: If evaluations are sound as the coaches believe them to be and the roster is full, why would you pull a scholarship to chase a player that is at least equal value to the program? What message are coaches sending when their scholarship offers are only contingent upon a Johnny-come-lately free agent looking to make a buck?

Dabo cannot be a man of character and a hypocrite at the same time. Dabo cannot install a family atmosphere and culture of brotherhood while players see that he cuts them loose on a whim.

Trust is earned.

In Dabo we trust.

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It seem like those doing the most complaining are also calling it unsustainable.


Jan 27, 2024, 8:15 AM [ in reply to The hope is that whatever Dabo is doing moving forward works.... ]
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I agree with the opinion on sustainability and that's why I support Dabo's position.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

12

Jan 22, 2024, 8:02 AM
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David - wonderful and timely article! I'll do my best to distribute your words through social media and implore others to do the same.

DavidHood®

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

12

Jan 22, 2024, 8:07 AM
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Excellent article David! It should never be about money. It should be about character. With good character comes success and that success will breed the other things that come their way. One of those things will be financial stability. Looking forward to next season. See you at camp in June!!

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The Silver Lining In The Grey Cloud

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Jan 22, 2024, 8:09 AM
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Whenever College Football becomes all about the money it will die. Just like the NFL which is now obviously rigged, the powers that be will use their money and influence to rig the outcomes of seasons. A hard lesson to learn but without fans packing the stadiums, the money dries up and everyone will have learned a valuable lesson. This may not happen in my lifetime but eventually everyone will grow sick and tired of the game being rigged. This is my take on it, but I don’t make this argument without any evidence. For example, in the NFL the games in the playoff are undecided allegedly but a news outlet said that the 49ers and Ravens are set to play but the preemptive games haven’t even been played yet. It’s rigged folks. Nothing is left to chance anymore and professional football has died. I stopped watching after the lights went out in the stadium and Tom Brady started deflating footballs with impunity. For the sake of Clemson football tradition and good times for decades to come, I pray that I’m wrong. However, where there is smoke 💨 there is fire 🔥.

Go Tigers 🐅

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Our country won't go on forever, if we stay soft as we are now. There won't be any America because some foreign soldiery will invade us and take our women and breed a hardier race.

~Chesty Puller
Lt.General United States Marine Corps


You think the NFL is rigged?

14

Jan 22, 2024, 8:15 AM
Reply

Delusion is at an all time high here.

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Re: The Silver Lining In The Grey Cloud

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Jan 22, 2024, 12:26 PM [ in reply to The Silver Lining In The Grey Cloud ]
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Those are the 2 best teams and the betting favorites. I don't think nfl is rigged.

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Re: The Silver Lining In The Grey Cloud

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Jan 22, 2024, 2:01 PM [ in reply to The Silver Lining In The Grey Cloud ]
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Give me a break, Chesty! I suppose that we didn’t land on the moon either! The NFL games are not rigged! I guess that poor kicker for the Bills missed that field goal on purpose!? I hope to see you comment again next week when the Lions are headed to the Super Bowl!

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Re: The Silver Lining In The Grey Cloud


Jan 23, 2024, 6:24 AM
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I find it odd that we put men on the moon in the 1900s but have no way of doing so now in 2024. It’s weird that nobody else has put men on the moon either. I digress though.

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Our country won't go on forever, if we stay soft as we are now. There won't be any America because some foreign soldiery will invade us and take our women and breed a hardier race.

~Chesty Puller
Lt.General United States Marine Corps


Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

7

Jan 22, 2024, 8:20 AM
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I agree with 100% of this. Most of us like Clemson the way it is and aren’t interested in becoming a “portal” school. We just want to fill a few holes here and there with the right people. Not every dude in the portal is bad news. But that’s secondary. #1, I agree with the way Dabo is running the program.

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Pulitzer material right there, Mr Hood!

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Jan 22, 2024, 8:20 AM
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Well said and well written.

I don't WANT to be like the OTHER programs, who live by the portal, then die by the portal. I don't know that any (or many) of us want to "buy" a championship with a bunch of ringers who don't give a rip about Clemson and it's history and traditions and identity but who just want to increase their worth in the NIL market. I would honestly rather play in the "meaningless" bowls ever year (I thought the majority of them were a lot of fun to watch this past season, btw, and loved how the sponsors were making them fun, like the Pop Tart Bowl!) than win a natty with a bunch of ringers who just played for themselves.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, what defines Clemson from the student athlete perspective, to me anyway, is Ben Boulware's speech after the 2016 natty. That's the kind of player I want at Clemson. One who appreciates Clemson University, the Clemson football program, and the Clemson fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_10S6yQhK4

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Clemson is

8

Jan 22, 2024, 8:44 AM
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And has been for a long long time a unique university. If coach Swinney wants to keep it that way he certainly has my total support.
Rarely does it mean success to just follow the crowd. Unfortunately the college sports world has decided that success on the playing field can be bought. It’s likely that wins can be bought but I hope that the team I follow AND have $upported for many years can prove that there really is something in these hills.

Get behind this university now more than ever. Leadership as we have in place Now at Tigertown is unique and genuine. Don’t allow greed to spoil that!

GO. TIGERS

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

11

Jan 22, 2024, 8:39 AM
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Exactly, I’ve been a Clemson fan since I was a kid in Charleston. I’m happy with the Championships we’ve had under Dabo. I’m happy with our program and how Dabo treats these young men. He’s a leader.

When we first hired Dabo, I found myself arguing with another Clemson fan about how we made the right hire. It was a gut feeling. This guy was just trashing Clemson, I told him he wasn’t a fan and threw a drink in his face.

So yea, all these people can moan about Nil and not using transfer portal. In the long run, it doesn’t matter. Clemson will always be Clemson and Dabo is exactly the right man for not changing that, and actually enhancing it.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 10:20 AM
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im dying to know what happened after you threw the drink in his face

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In his hiring presser way back in 2008, Dabo said his goal was not to make

8

Jan 22, 2024, 8:51 AM
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Clemson be like any other successful program out there. His goal for us was to build a program that OTHER programs wanted to copy, and be like US. To a very large degree, prior to NIL and the Portal, he did exactly that. And, he is staying his course, while the landscape shifts wildly all around us. I say we keep riding with him, he may just turn out to be right once again, once all the dust settles. It's hard to build a great culture, but, as we have seen other places, it is NOT hard to destroy it.

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If you're going to play, play to win


Jan 22, 2024, 3:32 PM
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nm

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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4

Jan 22, 2024, 8:54 AM
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Things change. Try a fun exercise and look around your house and yard and write down all the "modern" inventions that nobody would have believed before they were invented. Where is there "chaos" in football? The Portal and NIL are a way of life today just like the internet, cell phones, air fryers, electric cars and on and on. Life goes on.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

6

Jan 22, 2024, 9:09 AM
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You serious? Where is there chaos in college football? The NFL is more organized and less chaotic. College football has unproven players coming out of highschool demanding millions and then go to the highest bidder. Players can transfer at will without any financial penalties. At least in the NFL players first get drafted and have to prove themselves to get a new contract. Coaches can actually build rosters and plan ahead. College coaches don’t have that luxury. If a rich group of alumni doesn’t come up with a large sum of money, players leave. NFL teams are organizations who pay players based on achievement and have a salary cap. They pay those players off of the money they bring in from ticket sales, merchandise, and national media rights. You see how it is chaotic now? We have rich alumni paying players. It’s unfair. Some schools have more money than others. It’s not a level playing field.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 8:57 AM
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Doesn’t NIL stand for “not interested long”. I will take loyalty over money.

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Who was the coach mentioned in the article - Saban?

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Jan 22, 2024, 8:57 AM
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It kind of sounded like the Alabama situation, but David didn’t mention the coach quitting.

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J. Marc Edwards
Cary, NC


I don't think it's Saban . . .

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Jan 22, 2024, 10:38 AM
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the phrasing made it sound like it was not a perennial power. It said the coach felt like he had the type of team that could "make some noise." That sounds like a team that hasn't made much noise recently, but may/might have potential to if the chips fall well for them. The first team that jumped to my mind was Louisville . . . and admittedly I was assuming that maybe Hood might be more likely to be rubbing elbows with fellow ACC folks than others. Who knows, though.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 9:00 AM
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David Hood, you nailed it, Tiger-buddy!!! I would also add that beside the “well meaning” gift of NIL money to these young people which will only be a trap door for many of these athletes; I find it reprehensible that the universally acknowledged benefits of advanced education is being totally downplayed and devalued in this unsustainable process. How many of us (🐅Clemson grads🐅) would have been forever grateful to have been able to have a Clemson degree offered at NO COST? Uniquely Clemson… there’s something special in those hills!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

5

Jan 22, 2024, 9:05 AM
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Fully agree. David is 100% spot on.

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Lets see what the results on the field this fall are like.

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Jan 22, 2024, 9:06 AM
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I’m afraid we’re in for some disappointment. We’ll see. F St, Louisville, and NC State loaded up in the transfer portal. We chose not to. So time will tell.

Go Tigers!! One thing that’s undeniable! There’s nothing better than a fall day in Death Valley!!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

7

Jan 22, 2024, 9:12 AM
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Clemson is unique in it's own way. Dabo is unique in his own way. But don't think he's a pioneer and that Clemson is the only program that operates the way we do. Penn State, Clemson , and it used to be Texas A&M were all very similar. Seems like a&m sold out in football chasing the dream. But with the hire, it's apparently the adults in the room hopefully won out.

But yes, good article but let's not act like we're the only ones.

As for Bama, quit lumping them into the "other " sell out, win at all costs programs. They're not. In fact, Bama and Clemson are more alike than most on here think.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 10:13 AM
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Penn State is the example when I think about success in terms of competitiveness. They have a large alumni base, pretty good coaching, great facilities, and they graduate players, and put a lot of players in the NFL. The problem is they are nearly always a perennial #3 behind OSU and MI in the B1G and the biggest reason is talent disparity. They just don't seem to be able to bring in enough elite talent to compete effectively with the other two.

I only think about this for us, purely from a competitiveness perspective. I love who we are and what we represent and I just hope we can keep ourselves elite doing it the Clemson way.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

4

Jan 22, 2024, 9:13 AM
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Boom!!!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

3

Jan 22, 2024, 9:15 AM
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It's really hard to take in that one federal judge all by himself with a swing of his gavel ruined college for ever for everyone, an I truly believe that he done so without the slightest clue in his mind of what he had just done....

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The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in favor of NIL, so get your facts straight.***

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:52 AM
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Re: The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in favor of NIL, so get your facts straight.***

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Jan 22, 2024, 12:41 PM
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That is true. NIL. Which means players will receive compensation for their name, image, and/or likeness being used. Specifically for profit.
The problem is that’s not what is happening in college football right now. What’s happening now is groups of rich boosters are forming LLC’s, under the guise of “collectives”, and bribing players to come to their respective schools. Player whose name, image, and/or likeness is unknown to the public and the majority of college football fans.
It’s a joke and basically legalized bagmen.

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Great article, one thing I would add is that Clemson also has had a good

5

Jan 22, 2024, 9:16 AM
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amount of players ask for more nil $ in order not to transfer out of the program to a a higher bidder.

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If the football team is all you care about, this is prolly not the right team

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Jan 22, 2024, 9:17 AM
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for you to pull for. There are so many more facets to the University than football. I'm OK with forsaking NIL and portal crap to maintain integrity.

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Re: If the football team is all you care about, this is prolly not the right team

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Jan 22, 2024, 9:52 AM
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It it really impossible to maintain integrity and use the portal the right way? The commentary seems to be that these 2 things simply cannot co-exist and still maintain the right culture.

I fully support Dabo making the call to do it his way. All I am saying is that if he did decide to open things up a bit, I have no doubt he would handle it the right way.

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He has handled it the right way. But still gets criticism from Portal Addicts

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:21 AM
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I am for someone coming in if it's for the right reasons. Being a part of the University. Not for NIL and being in it only for yourself. No thank you.

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Clemson is Holier than thou and Dabo still uses a Blackberry***

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Jan 22, 2024, 9:19 AM
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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

4

Jan 22, 2024, 9:21 AM
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Thanks David, well said. Football is a game we enjoy playing and watching until we are professional athletes and then it becomes a business.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 9:26 AM
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Maybe your best article ever. Those who can’t appreciate the unique nature of Clemson should find another to support. As for me, my Clemson degree earned 50 years ago becomes more valuable every day.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

4

Jan 22, 2024, 9:27 AM
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Excellent article! Well said...Why US Tiger Alum
Love Our "University" Always Remember Clemson University IS a Place for Young & Old to Learn and ....Become Pluses to Society☝️
Go Tigers!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

4

Jan 22, 2024, 9:33 AM
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A great article David. Thank you

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YES! Thanks David.***

4

Jan 22, 2024, 9:40 AM
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As an 89 grad, this is what I can support! Do not lose

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Jan 22, 2024, 9:44 AM
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your values over win at all costs mentality and don’t sell your soul to the devil. Be the quality alternative. Clemson men will appreciate this and continue to be attracted to it!!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

4

Jan 22, 2024, 9:51 AM
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That was a great read.

I guess we'll see if Dabo's way works. Until the NIL and transfer portal gets sorted nobody can say with any amount of certainty which way works best. I am betting Dabo is a step ahead of everyone though.

Your average bear doesn't see things coming down the pike the way he does. Just my .02 worth.

There will be bumps, but we'll be fine. I think Dabo wins 1-2 more NC's at Clemson before he retires.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

4

Jan 22, 2024, 9:58 AM
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This is the best article I've read in a while! We need more positivity and I totally agree with everything you said. I'm a 72 year old female who has been going to Clemson games since I was 18 years old so I've seen and heard it all. I still have season tickets and I'm at every home game supporting the Tigers, no matter what the crazy NCAA does. Clemson without a doubt is a very special place and I hope people will step up and support this excellent school, our awesome coach, and his staff. GO TIGERS!!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

3

Jan 22, 2024, 10:04 AM
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I really wish he hadn't brought Judge Keller into this... ;)

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

1

Jan 22, 2024, 12:31 PM
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Hahahahahaha... I knew someone would say that sooner or later.

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"If a pig had a better personality, he would cease to be a filthy animal."


Great piece David.

3

Jan 22, 2024, 10:08 AM
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This mirrors a lot of my recent thoughts and feelings.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

3

Jan 22, 2024, 10:08 AM
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halcyon??? lol---i like it

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

1

Jan 22, 2024, 4:16 PM
Reply

I also had to look it up but great word

and I like the Yankee icon

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Hear Hear!!! Thank you, David!!! ******

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:04 AM
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2023 was a poor year

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:06 AM
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The article is nice off-season fluff DavidHood®, but it has some elements of “It’s OK to lose when you are morally superior to other teams.” The coaches remain among the highest paid, and the coaching efforts are greatly reduced by eliminating portal recruiting. Less effort. More money. Higher level of ethics. It’s a challenging environment for a great HC.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:10 AM
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"Team" development goes through stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing. And each stage takes time and process for the human elements to be sorted and realized. Ky BB Calapari found that the one and done 5 star players didn't win a championship and Duke's Coach K had similar experiences. For teams to form cohesiveness, trust and communication, it takes time spent working together. I've always appreciated Dabo's plan for our team. I believe it has already proven to be worthwhile, and will continually do so.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:12 AM
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Thank you.

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Totally agree. I want things done the "Clemson Way" as well. BUT those of us who

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:33 AM
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want this will need to accept that the "Clemson Way" is a long shot to work - as far as competing for National Championships go.

For every 4*-5* player who falls in love with Clemson like we've all done, there will 10 others shouting "Show me the money!"

It's going to be tough to compete with that - but I'm all for trying. I can't see success being that much fun if you achieved that success by being the most willing to buy better players...

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Could be a short-term issue by nature

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:54 AM
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We're talking about pay-for-play, though (rather than NIL, which Clemson has participated in since the beginning).

To be clear, pay-for-play as it functions today will likely not work that way ever again; the only question is when it changes & how much it depends on a collective bargaining agreement.

The reality is it will likely take a few more years, perhaps even an entire recruiting roster cycle just by nature of likely requiring a player-led union first & then at least two provisions getting through Congress & consequently being executed.

What it means is Clemson alone could come out looking like genius-level visionaries, albeit that will likely take time is all.

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"It's OK to be different."

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:48 AM
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I agree it's OK to be different & personally I admit I actually like that about Coach Swinney & his program.

The legitimate reality is Clemson nation largely doesn't want to be different; we want to be like other programs in the sense of competing the same way with things like the transfer portal.

I don't like the idea of being more like everyone else any more than I like the spelling, grammar & punctuation errors throughout this article (seriously, I'd love to help proofread & edit crucial articles like this one for free just so it represents Clemson University a bit more literally), but I also can't ignore that's what the vast majority of the voices in Clemson nation actually want, notably with pay-for-play and taking transfers.

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They key difference is paying for disloyal mercenaries or not. I say NOT.

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:53 AM
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https://www.tigernet.com/clemson-forum/message/i-dont-want-clemson-paying-people-hundreds-of-thousands-of-$-to-transfer.-34298597

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:57 AM
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Set a man a fire, and he's warm for the night. Set a man afire, and he's warm for the rest of his life.

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Did I read that last paragraph correctly? Is JK

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Jan 22, 2024, 11:58 AM
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a little girl in a Clemson cheerleading outfit?

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Sounds right.***

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Jan 22, 2024, 12:38 PM
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Brad Brownell: Only Larry freaking Shyatt has a WORSE overall winning percentage among Clemson basketball coaches since 1975. Let that sink in. It's Larry Shyatt & then Brad Brownell.


Great article. I think Dabo is well positioned...

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Jan 22, 2024, 12:05 PM
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.... to weather the turmoil and chaos of the present day college football, for a few years. If this chaos and confusion and extreme difference in revenue (SEC vs. ACC) lasts for 5-10 more years, then the outlook isn't as bright.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 12:11 PM
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I’ve felt for a while that the Clemson way is the core of the school’s identity. I had a friendly debate with an Ohio State fan recently who commented thatDabo’s way was old school and in the past, while spending money on the portal was ok because it was within the rules. My point was, until college football becomes professional football, the school has a responsibility to families to develop young people. Florida State and Colorado can buy players but they can’t buy loyalty to a program. Unfortunately kids are easily swayed by money, and we will continue to lose players to the portal because of this. But at the end of the day, Clemson is still in the business of building people. Are there improvements to be made? Of course. But I’d rather be a Clemson fan than any other fan in the country. I believe in Clemson.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 12:36 PM
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I love the fact that we are who we are and how we are and Paw journey being one of the biggest reasons just the way that we conduct ourselves differently

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 12:45 PM
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Perfect. My feelings exactly.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 1:06 PM
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Well done David! Well done!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 1:14 PM
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Nice.

My only comment is tighten up and don't mix up the comparisons of the old saying...

Example..

"Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime."

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 1:34 PM
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Great article David. I was wondering about what HLRT posted back in December, that Clemson football players were requesting more NIL money and that an insider of the program described it as a “shakedown”. If true, that sounds alot like what the head coach at that other school experienced.

I do wonder how well finding players who want to stay and win championships is going to work if the Tigers roster is so far behind some of these P2 bluebloods that are recruiting both high school and the portal better than Clemson. Fortunately, I think Dabo has admitted he can’t simultaneously develop inexperienced coaches and players. At Clemson development of young coaches should be selectively used among the analysts (eg Boyd and now Nolan Turner). It’s unfair to the young players for a program like Clemson to not pay for the best and most experienced field position coaches if you are asking them to come to Clemson and stay while turning down bigger NIL contracts.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 1:35 PM
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David Hood thank you so much for your poignant prose. As usual you not only are insightful and spot-on, but also really get Clemson in ways few can express.

I want to believe and hope that NIL/portal mess will eventually be address by NCAA leadership, though I don't know that they can fix it at this point. And I want to believe that we can rise above all of that mess and still win. We'll see. I guess all things considered, I would rather have an outcome like we did last year building for a longer term, than a flash in the pan year like FSU, which crashed as quickly as it rose.

I definitely believe that players need to get some sort of compensation, particularly when coaches and administrators are raking in millions from the play of those players. I have thought for a while that the NCAA should have ensured that universities and conferences got ahead of this mess by setting up trusts for the players, rather than let them have millions in immediate NIL money. I wouldn't have wanted my own son making spending decisions with that kind of money!

And Johnstone... freshman year in 1983. Wow I sure remember those halcyon days!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 2:20 PM
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I could not agree with you more. I love the way Clemson is being managed by Dabo. I realize it may result in some disappointment in the win loss columns from time to time, but at least I can root for a team that I believe loves, and wants to be a part of, Clemson. I know I am naive, but this is what I loved about College Football. Players who actually go to school, love the school's traditions and history and graduate from the school. I am not a fan of bringing in hired hands who don't care about anything but their monetary gains, even if it can lead to a better record. I know I may be very much in the minority when it comes to that position

NIL, while well intended and useful as originally intended, has turned college football into a true minor league for the NFL without the rules and constraints imposed by the NFL on player contracts and movement. I support players capitalizing on his/her fame and notoriety from college. I am fine with them making money on Tik-Tok, Instagram or via legitimate commercial endorsement. But the transfer portal and NIL have taken away any facade that this is "college football". It's now truly a minor league football "entity" and the NFL enjoys the benefits of having this feeder program. Why not, its a free feeder system! How nice for the NFL. I know a lot of people will not agree with me, but I think it's time for the NFL to pony up and create a developmental/farm team system so that players who only want money and and a path to the NFL, versus a college education and college experience, can go straight to this league after high school. They can enter a draft just like HS baseball players and focus on making the big leagues. Maybe, if they are lucky, they will play in front of 10,000 people during their games, but they will have what they want. A salary and a way to the NFL without the pesky need to attend classes. Those that want a college career, can do so, but without these new crazy NIL and portal rules as they exist today. IE make college football, college football again. But that won't likely happen, so something has to be done in order to tame the craziness we are seeing today.

Clearly, players are now pros, so we should treat them as such. 3 year minimum "rookie" contracts and if you leave, you must pay back all NIL received (or the NIL money is put in trust until they fulfill their contract or graduate, whichever is first). Colleges should be allowed to trade players vs them going into the portal and leaving with no repercussions. An NIL cap should be put in place for all power conferences that is identical for all schools in the power 5. Dare I say HS players are now to be drafted to a college vs selecting a school? I believe in TV revenue sharing with the players, and this money should be distributed to the players according to their value (but I am not sure how this will be decided and if it is based on some performance formulas or just decided by each school). Schools in the power 5 should have nearly equal access to the TV revenue sharing money because the "umbrella of college football" is bigger than the just the most powerful schools. You can't have the haves, without someone being the have nots. How do OSU and Alabama become OSU and Alabama if there aren't weak cousins to beat up on!? Indiana, Vanderbilt, MS State, Arkansas, Northwestern and Illinois have to exist for OSU and Alabama to always win! Can these schools never have a chance to win? Of course, non-TV revenue from ticket sales and merchandise/etc can accrue to the University and to the Athletic Department but can not be used to go above the NIL cap for the team. Player related merchandise sales should have a split with the player because this is not a salary, but true NIL earnings.

I am not naive enough to realize that there has always been recruiting "advantages" given to players in the past, and that recruiting has always favored the best. But in the past it wasn't always about the money. Traditions, coaching and a players' love for the school and its surroundings mattered much more back then for the vast majority of players. I believe HS grads should not have to go to college to get paid to play football. Personally, I believe what they gain from college is greater than going to an NFL minor league team, but only if you are willing to live with the constraints I noted above. And as we all know, college is not for everyone, so why push it on those who don't want it.

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BEST ARTICLE EVER!***

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Jan 22, 2024, 2:41 PM
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Water the Point Tree


I've seen us win a natty as a kid and 2 as an adult. I don't care what happens

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Jan 22, 2024, 3:26 PM
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going forward...I can die with urge to win the natty more than at ease. I'll just enjoy the Clemson gameday "experience" now for its better parts and look over the crappy ones.

PS Johnstone sucked. I lived there in F section and it was a 3rd world hellhole. Yeah, they didn't charge much $$$ for it at the time, but it was a slum and disgusting. There was no band of brothers in F section but rather the nasty peasants fighting for the scraps of whatever bits of dignity they could find in the ashes.

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Johnstone was a learning experience

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Jan 22, 2024, 4:17 PM
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and I learned to find a way out of it quickly

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Ok to be different and say goodbye to ACC and national championships


Jan 22, 2024, 3:29 PM
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It is a completely different time than 2018. And our current players will leave when they take a notion for more money: Makuba, Collins, etc.

This is just rationalizing not going for titles. Sad.

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losing is fine because dabo has integrity ..thats


Jan 22, 2024, 4:59 PM
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basically what this article is saying.

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Re: losing is fine because dabo has integrity ..thats

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Jan 22, 2024, 6:20 PM
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That’s exactly what this article is saying.

As long as we have integrity and do it the right way then losing doesn’t matter.

Most of the ppl in this thread congratulating the article will be just like the rest of us a complaining the next time we lose a game or games.

You can’t have it both ways. You either want to win and are willing to do what it takes or you care more about the integrity of the university and the programs.

If you care more about integrity then Dabos check should be cut dramatically. We don’t shell out over 11 million a year for 9-4.

We pay our coaches like we’re competing year in and year out for the national championship but people still want “integrity”.

Nobody is claiming we should go to the portal and get 15-20 guys.

We’re saying you have to fill the holes on the roster and theirs a legal way of doing it. Refusing to use a resource is basically self imposing penalties against yourself which is just downright stupid.

GT and NC St went to the portal and got fairly high profile QBs but we can’t do it bc it costs? BS

We can do it just like them but Dabo is the one that refuses to truly try in the portal. I know I know we offered 3/4 OL but we didn’t truly try to get them. Dabo just wants the appearance that he tried so everyone around him will shut up.

This program will continue its descension until Dabo realizes you can’t do it just with high school recruiting anymore. You have to supplement and fill holes through the portal that’s just the way it is. At least if you want to compete for national titles.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson


Jan 22, 2024, 3:44 PM
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David I enjoy your writing style a lot. But what I see in your writing is a thinking person. Too many young people are just out for short term cash/glory that is affecting both longevity of college sports and the longevity of this nation.
But I propose an alternative for at least football. Create a new league for those teams who just want to win a title while paying players and don't worry about education. This league can be a stepping stone to NFL which are sponsored by NFL teams and cities instead of schools. Players don't have to go to school. They don't have to bend to too many restrictions. Just play a game. Earn some money. Hope you get to pros where the real money is. If you don't get to pros, well I hope you have something to fall back on if you don't make it to pros. Kind of sounds like minor baseball doesn't it.
Then have a college associated league which only allows STUDENTS to represent their school in sports...sort of like the early football teams. Students only get help with direct school/academic expenses. No NIL (as it is working today). No unlimited transfers. But if school uses them promotional advertising, then the school has to compensate them. Just help EARNING a degree for their future long term well being.

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Spot on David***


Jan 22, 2024, 4:03 PM
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Honestly, Im not sure its really working the


Jan 22, 2024, 4:29 PM
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Last 3 years. We are continuing to play teams that are much much older with way less freshman on the roster. There are big negatives to getting 20 portal kids a year I agree. I also hope we don’t go more than 3 portal kids a year too. I think the biggest problems has been the coaching hires, and taking fall back friends and family kids late. It would have been nice to maybe have been sitting at 82/83 scholarship when Saban retired though. I feel like Dabo did however take a step back and admit some wrong by the three coaching changes the last two years and they did appear to take not many of the “friend and families” kids this year on scholarship too . NIL will always be an issue for us and really nothing can be done.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 4:38 PM
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Congrats to David Hood. He nailed it. No doubt Clemson is a special place. You can feel it when you're on the campus. Maybe this feeling comes from the spirits of the men who made the ultimate sacrifice on the European battlefields, or in the sky or on the sea who as Clemson men helped save the world from tyranny. This blood was sacred and should never be forgotten and always be honored. We have a special man in Dabo who fits Clemson that we can stand behind and support in every way. Let's do just that as he leads our program through this very challenging time. He can and he will.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 4:54 PM
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Um... David...

You might have triggered a bunch on folks on here with this...
🙄😑

Great Article!!!!

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 5:35 PM
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Thanks for the recant, David

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 22, 2024, 7:04 PM
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Remember early on when Dabo was asked how he planned to make Clemson like Alabama and Ohio St and other college football powerhouses? And he answered he was going to make Clemson football the program everyone else wanted to be? He did it once. I’m not ready to count him out on the possibility of doing it again. There’s something in them hills.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

1

Jan 22, 2024, 11:26 PM
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I hope Clemson never adopts a "win at all cost" mentality. That is the reason I despise the SEC. They have thrown out the great traditions of college football in an attempt to become NFL-lite. Read They Call me Coach by John Wooden. Dabo and Wooden have a lot in common, and primarily it is that winning is a by-product of doing things right. I want Dabo to stay at Clemson until he retires from coaching and becomes a famous broadcaster.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson

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Jan 23, 2024, 3:55 AM
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This is your best, David. From the heart. We try to respect the game of football while we try to win.

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Exactly what I want for Clemson and for everyone


Jan 27, 2024, 8:26 AM
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who calls themselves Clemson fans. Great job David. Let's hope someone with power to move us forward from this mess gets the message.

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Re: TNET: In college football's chaos, it's OK to be different, to be uniquely Clemson


Jan 28, 2024, 8:55 AM
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Great article. You can bet kids (and their parents) are taking note. And in the near future, the NIL and poetal rules will be revamped, there will be team money caps, etc. we just have to be who we are and weather this storm, this period of NCAA-caused mess.

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