Coach Ford had became the King to IPTAY. He wanted the football building like others(Bama). Lennon wouldn't hear of it while IPTAY was telling Danny, we got your back, how much do you need, Coach? Coach Ford called Lennon out during some type of banquet. "He's way or my way". Coach Ford had a lot money behind him but the school board went with Lennon. The End.
Re: Yes, C Ford wanted football dorm. The irony of that.....
Nov 30, 2022, 11:25 AM
Memories have gotten foggy. D Ford did lobby on the BBQ circuit for a new Athletic Dorm. He was told by Lennon that this would be a complete waste as the dorms were going to be banned by the NCAA, and to move on from the subject. He did not move on. Continued to beat a dead horse. Had reached a point where he felt he was bigger than the AD or President. This was the straw that broke the camels back but far from the only issue. Ford had clashed with the Administration on a recurring basis. His biggest problem was with the admissions dept. who would not allow players in that had "suspicious" transcripts. Their SAT scores might go 580, 610, then 1020. They knew this was impossible and explained such. Ford would go on an absolute tirade about needing the player admitted. Coaches routinely waited outside the door (I was there) of classes to meet with instructors that were teaching players that were struggling. Conversation went "how is he doing"? And, "he is studying and trying very hard". And the recruiting violations of course. Just reached a point of where the administration could no longer accept all the issues and they made a very unpopular decision. Shame. If Danny could have hired an OC, accepted the forward pass, and gotten along with the administration, he could have easily coached another 20 years and won many games. Possibly the most tireless recruiter in Clemson's history and 8 CONSENSUS top 10 classes in a row is record that will not be touched at Clemson.