Purnell signs contract
Posted 04:29 p.m., May 14, 2008
Spoke with senior associate athletic director Katie Hill earlier today, and she informed me that basketball coach Oliver Purnell has signed the new contract that was announced on March 18.
Hill said the contract still needs signatures from assorted folks who are out of town -- president Jim Barker is one of them -- but everything has been agreed upon and is in writing.
A few days before Clemson played Villanova in the NCAA Tournament, Clemson announced that Purnell's contract was being extended through the 2013-14 season while boosting his guaranteed compensation into the top third of the ACC.
The deal, which pushes his total compensation past a million bucks, contains an increase in salary and has plenty of attractive bonuses. But the most noteworthy part of it is the heavy emphasis on deferred compensation.
Hill wasn't ready to provide the specifics of the contract, but she said she'd do so pretty soon. When it happens, we'll relay the info to you.
Just thought it might be noteworthy to point out that the 54-year-old Purnell, who's 94-68 in five years at Clemson, has put pen to paper.
LW
Comments
Posted by ashleyriver on May 15 at 9 a.m.
Terrific news! Clemson may never become the basketball equivalent of UCLA, Kentucky, or unc, but I have every confidence Coach Purnell will keep Clemson competitive within the ACC----and that will keep the Tigers competitive nationally as well.
The rousing reception Coach Purnell received at the Charleston Co. Clemson Club meeting is undoubtedly indicative of the optimism fans have about Clemson's basketball future.
I personally hope Clemson is able to keep Coach Purnell for as long as he wants to coach.
Posted by lwilliams ( Larry Williams ) on May 15 at 9:22 a.m.
ashleyriver: I'm assuming you were at the Charleston County Clemson Club Meeting?
How about give a rundown on how it went, what was said, etc., if you don't mind.
LW
Posted by ashleyriver on May 15 at 10:18 a.m.
I'll do my best from memory:
The meeting was well attended---from all reports a record crowd. There were long autograph lines for both coaches. Coach Purnell spoke first and discussed the season (though didn't dwell long on the Villanova loss in the NCAA). He spoke with pride about how Cliff, James and Sam had made the decision to join his program and the sacrifices they'd made and the improvements they'd made personally and as team....also about how difficult it was going to be to replace the three but also spoke about the excitement of the new commitments and signees. He spoke about the steady improvement of the program and how the foundation was being laid to make the NCAA's every year--he did say that they fully expected to play for the NC last season. Several standing ovations during his comments.
Coach Bowden spoke in general terms about last season....about how again they were very close to the breakthrough season. He then went over the returning players at each position (I think all this has been well documented). He said that although the OL was young, he was encouraged by the talent and that they would eventually be very good and that he wasn't extremely concerned. He said adding Xavier Dye to WR mix and the two returning RBs would make the offense very potent. He said the defense should be very, very good and that talent at linebacker would probably overcome a little inexperience. Stated that Daquan Bowers was more prepared to play Div 1 ball than any player he'd ever had and cited the usual line that Bowers would make an impact--just didn't know if it would be the first play or the fifth . He went over all the incoming recruits and stated that it was the best incoming class he'd had since coming to Clemson. After verifying there were no media in the room discussed a few things the main one being the Courtney Vincent situation---saying CV wasn't spending IPTAY money very well. Stated he'd make a decision on CV in "a couple of days".
Having been to a ton of these things over the decades, it was pretty much the normal Tommy Bowden presentation. The thing that stood out was the reception Coach Purnell received. Sorry if this isn't quote heavy, but they did have a cash bar.
Posted by ashleyriver on May 15 at 1:26 p.m.
LW----any word of an ACC decision on the incident at North Augusta HS??
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