The Clemson Board of Trustees met Wednesday afternoon, not only to discuss tuition increases, but to let two of Clemson’s head coaches give their opinions on a potential move to the Big 12.
Head football coach Dabo Swinney and head basketball coach Brad Brownell joined the meeting via teleconference to give their opinions on a potential move, according to Board of Trustees Chairman David Wilkins.
“Obviously, it makes sense to include the entire Clemson family on this, and we asked the coaches to share their opinion with us,” Wilkins told TigerNet Wednesday evening. “Coach Brownell and Coach Swinney were nice enough to spend a few minutes with us. We asked them for their opinion, and they shared their thoughts. They were on the call for a short period of time.”
Swinney, in speaking to reporters Tuesday at his high school camp, gave his opinion on the move.
“In my opinion, going to the Big 12 would be the worst thing we could do as a football program,” Swinney said. “It makes zero sense. We are the ACC. This is a program that has just won the championship and we’ve won it more than any other team in the conference. We can fulfill any goal and dream we have right here in this conference. We have a tremendous footprint to recruit in, to play in.”
Wilkins backed up Swinney’s comments.
“We are 1000 percent in the ACC,” Wilkins told TigerNet. “There are no offers, no discussions and we are concentrating on being the best we can be in the ACC. We are in the ACC, and we need to work together on making the ACC better.”
Wilkins said the school needs to concentrate on making Clemson a force in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“What we need to do is have the premier sports program in the league we are now in,” Wilkins said. “And that is the ACC. That is where all of our effort and focus needs to be.”
I don’t know what more evidence is needed to state that the “Dude” or the “Dud” as I know think of him has been blowing smoke up everyone’s ass. We may be getting Notre Dame, We may move to the SEC but we are not moving to the Big 12…...............
“We are 1000 percent in the ACC,” Wilkins told TigerNet. “There are no offers, no discussions and we are concentrating on being the best we can be in the ACC. We are in the ACC, (FOR NOW!) and we need to work together on making the ACC better.”
THERE WILL BE NO OFFERS, NO DISCUSSIONS UNTIL BOWLSBY TAKES OFFICE AND FSU/CLEMSON SUBMITS AN APPLICATION TO THE BIG 12.
I don’t want to be in the ACC in it’s current form any more than you do, but this isn’t happening from Clemson. These type of comments are so strong that you cannot really spin your way out of it.
If its not happening for Clemson its not happening for FSU, FSU wants teams from the east and won’t go alone. So one statement by the BOT that shows no real support for the ACC or real commitment to the ACC is not changing my mind. Remember what they said last meeting? Sureeeee we’d love to hear your offer. Please, this is all to cover their own butts. Clemson is looking out for Clemson right now. This is all to protect against law suits.
“We are 1000 percent in the ACC,”
Key word, IN. Why yes, yes we are. lol I’m 1000% in Columbia SC, doesn’t mean I like it
This really doesn’t mean anything…one way or another. Everyone always denies reports until they are solidified. It happens in sport & in everyday life. Petrino was staying @ Louisville, & wasn’t going to the Falcons…until he left for the Falcons. Petrino was committed to the Falcons…until he bolted for Arkansas. Charlie Pell denied he was leaving for Florida…until he left for Florida. TCU was committed to the Big East…until they reneged & bolted for the B12. These stories are a dime a dozen. DENY, DENY, DENY…until it happens. Rinse & repeat.
I do not want to stay in the ACC, so I’ll gladly entertain a switch to the B12 or the SEC. Rumors are rumors, but where there are enough of them, there’s usually some truth. That said, I won’t be sold on anything until either a contract is signed, or all parties walk away from the table.
Makes me wonder if he used that outburst to close the deal with big #1. Was during his camp weekend too. Still stupid because he could very well be eating his words, THAT will hurt recruiting more.
I take every “source” with a grain of salt, The Dude isn’t the only one. And a ban from a message board is iffy to me. There can be underlying issues, as far as moderators not agreeing or enjoying what he is writing, stuff like that.
Seminole/Clem…give it a rest guys, your staying in the ACC. I am going to just say it…no Big XII this year or next. It’s a terrible idea for so many reasons (which have been outlined on this board already). The ACC has a lot of uptick potential. Also, I believe that Dabo got the #1 recruit because of where you guys are currently (ACC). It all comes down to the footprint that you are in for a lot of these players. It is not a problem for teams to travel, but for many of these players that want their family members to see them play on occasion, being close to home does matter (travel expense is a big deal to most families). And please do not compare the three ACC teams way up North to what you would face (travel wise) compared to the Big XII…there would be much more travel for the family members involved due to conference scheduling.
I could understand your euphoria if the SEC was the rumour (to invite you) here…but the Big XII? I just do not understand your point. And the posts with all of the Big XII banners that include your teams (FSU/Clemson)...have some pride gents, you both are from respected programs and I hate to say it, but your acting desperate and juvenile here. I am glad to see that some of your brethren are not drinking the same kool-aid.
Let’s circle the wagons and hope for the best within our conference, but more importantly, our individual team.
Please knock off the non-sense Sem/Clem. It really is embarrassing, no disrespect intended.
You give it a rest trying to give us a rest. ; ) We’re moving, YOU will be in the ACC.
There really won’t be that much more travel once they form an eastern division. Your view is skewed by big media and ACC homers. Again, whats wrong with parents making 6+ home games every year? Sorry you can’t see your kid play EVERY weekend, but since he’d be playing in a better conference where he gets better exposure, you might be able to watch him on Sunday and not have to worry about money. The Big 12 will be just of a force in a 4 team playoff as the SEC, that’s the point…..the ACC will never touch it with a 20ft pole. We can’t get into the SEC, there’s a couple teams there cockblocking (pun intended) because they are crazy and think we’d add nothing and are to insecure with themselves to let us in.
Its only embarrassing for us, IF we end up being wrong. How is it affecting you? Ok, lets HOPE for the best…...lets pray…....lets knock on wood or cross our fingers, better yet, we should just use magic or find a magical dragon. Get reallllllllllllllllllllll, we spent the better part of 2-3 decades living on hope and prayers, its time to act. Did you hear him Sem, he said circle the wagons…....are those from our wagon train headed west??
Seminole/Clem…give it a rest guys, your staying in the ACC. I am going to just say it…no Big XII this year or next. It’s a terrible idea for so many reasons (which have been outlined on this board already). The ACC has a lot of uptick potential. Also, I believe that Dabo got the #1 recruit because of where you guys are currently (ACC). It all comes down to the footprint that you are in for a lot of these players. It is not a problem for teams to travel, but for many of these players that want their family members to see them play on occasion, being close to home does matter (travel expense is a big deal to most families). And please do not compare the three ACC teams way up North to what you would face (travel wise) compared to the Big XII…there would be much more travel for the family members involved due to conference scheduling.
I could understand your euphoria if the SEC was the rumour (to invite you) here…but the Big XII? I just do not understand your point. And the posts with all of the Big XII banners that include your teams (FSU/Clemson)...have some pride gents, you both are from respected programs and I hate to say it, but your acting desperate and juvenile here. I am glad to see that some of your brethren are not drinking the same kool-aid.
Let’s circle the wagons and hope for the best within our conference, but more importantly, our individual team.
Please knock off the non-sense Sem/Clem. It really is embarrassing, no disrespect intended.
Speak for yourself. Sell the “ACC’s got potential” spiel somewhere else…nobody’s buying here.
I’ve said before, the travel argument is a joke. First of all, Clemson does not lose it’s home games regardless of conference affiliation, so the ability for fans to see games is unaffected. As for road trips, most ACC schools are outside of comfortable driving range…especially w/the additions of Pitt & Syracuse (you can’t conveniently leave them out b/c they don’t fit your narrative). Most are at or over a 5 hour, 1 way drive from Clemson…& only GT & Wake are less than 3. 10+ hours of round-trip driving for most destinations is not practical or inexpensive. @ those distances it’s better to fly…& if you’re going to fly, distance no longer matters.
Clemson should entertain all offers, & if the B12 or SEC come calling, it’s in our best interest to leave. The ACC has no potential, & w/the new deals floating around Clemson is putting itself at a competitive disadvantage every year they stay. I obviously dislike SCAR, but they were smart & got out of the ACC when they could…now they are reaping the rewards of seeds sewn long ago. If you don’t see it, that’s fine, but don’t pretend you know what’s in Clemson’s best interest.
Really Clem…really? The last 2-3 decades…what were you expecting? You have to be winning (no matter what conference you are in) to expect good things. This goes for any team. You cannot blame a conference for your Ws or Ls.
Regarding two of your other points: Yep, if you do not go, you should be embarrassed after all of this. And as for you reaching out to Sem regarding the wagons (heading West), hmmm-nothing else to say, you said it best.
Oh I’m not entirely, never did I say the ACC caused it. I just said we’ve spent the past 2-3 decades living on a prayer instead of acting. I can’t fault USCjr for leaving in 90/91, smart…..we should of. Thats just an instance of Clemson not acting and rather living on a prayer that the ACC could become what they had hoped, which it didn’t.
I’d really like to know how a family whos kid is from South Florida expects travel to be any different with a move? You are already out of ACC country, closer to Cuba and you are complaining about travel in regards to a move? You should of been complaining about travel for years. Travel is an excuse homers are using.
What school are you referring to in regards to being out of ACC country? I a sure you mean Miami. Well, the only option for Miami (travel wise) is either the ACC or SEC and Miami is in the ACC. Bottom line, I haven’t seen much homerism on this board, except for a couple of you reaching the homer status for a conference that you are not even in. Again, I don’t get it. Like I have said before, it doesn’t matter to me one iota where you or anyone else ends up in the long run…out of our control. But the love affair with a conference that had its run of defections over the last…3 years? Again, I don’t get it. Hope for the SEC if you must leave. If that’s not an option, be glad of where you are.
You like most are just willing to get on your knees to the SEC. Sure they are good, but they aren’t the only conference out there that can play football. And like I said, Clemson and FSU have little to ZERO chance of ending up in the SEC with Florida and South Carolina. I think with the 4 team playoff you will see a lot less “SEC domination”. The Big 12 is no slouch like you make it seem, excuse us for seeking a better home for the cash cow of athletics and something our schools value. I have an extra set of knee pads from the Marine Corps around here somewhere, I’ll send them to you…..might need them, because I won’t be using them.
