Bowden talking with ArkansasBy Larry Williams (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
CLEMSON — Arkansas is interested in Tommy Bowden, and Bowden has expressed interest in Arkansas. Perhaps the only question now is whether Bowden is interested enough to leave Clemson after nine years of guiding the Tigers' football program. As of late Monday night, all indications pointed to Bowden having a decision to make: head to Arkansas and take a fat pay raise, or remain at Clemson and accept a contract extension he has thus far rejected. 
Mic Smith Tommy Bowden UpdateMultiple sources familiar with the situation said new Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long — a longtime friend of Bowden's — was preparing to extend the 53-year-old Bowden an offer of at least $2.5 million to coach the Razorbacks, who are looking for a new coach after Houston Nutt's resignation last week. Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips, an Arkansas grad who served as a Razorbacks player, coach and administrator, was in New York on Monday for tonight's College Football Hall of Fame ceremony. He aborted those plans late Monday night and is expected to fly back to Clemson this morning to meet with Bowden. Phillips and Bowden had been in negotiations for a week without coming to an agreement. Sources say Phillips offered to bump Bowden's total package from $1.3 million to $1.59 million, plus a two-year extension to a contract that had three years remaining after this season. Bowden's buyout drops from $2.5 million to $500,000 in a year, but Phillips offered to keep it at $2.5 million. Apparently much of that was unacceptable to Bowden, whose annual compensation ranks sixth among the 12 Atlantic Coast Conference coaches. Phillips has also denied Bowden's request for multi-year contracts for his nine assistant coaches. Bowden at ClemsonTommy Bowden has coached at Clemson for the last nine seasons. He has led the Tigers to eight bowl games, eight winning seasons and a 7-2 record against rival South Carolina. Year W-L vs. ACC vs. USC Bowl Game 1999 6-6 5-3 W, 31-21 Peach, lost to Mississippi State 2000 9-3 6-2 W, 16-14 Gator, lost to Virginia Tech 2001 7-5 4-4 L, 20-15 Humanitarian, beat La. Tech 2002 7-6 4-4 W, 27-20 Tangerine, lost to Texas Tech 2003 9-4 5-3 W, 63-17 Peach, beat Tennessee 2004 6-5 4-4 W, 29-7 None, school-imposed brawl ban 2005 8-4 4-4 W, 13-9 Champs, beat Colorado 2006 8-5 5-3 L, 31-28 Music City, lost to Kentucky 2007 9-3 5-3 W, 23-21 vs. Auburn in Chick-fil-A Bowl Totals 69-41 42-30 7-2 3-4 Bowden, whose No. 15 Tigers (9-3) play No. 22 Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Dec. 31, emerged as Arkansas' top candidate after Long was rebuffed by Auburn's Tommy Tuberville and North Carolina's Butch Davis. Bowden and Long coached together at Duke in 1986 and have remained close since. The Razorback Foundation, the fundraising arm of Arkansas' athletic department, is expected to meet this morning to finalize a contract offer for Bowden. Stanley Reed, chairman of the school's board of trustees, told the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas that Bowden conveyed his interest in the job. "I don't think the university would be taking a proposal to the Razorback Foundation unless we thought he was interested," Reed said. Reed also told the Morning News that some board members had reservations about hiring Bowden and expressed those concerns to chancellor John White. Bowden is 69-41 in nine years at Clemson with an ACC record of 42-30. The Tigers have been eligible for a bowl every year under his watch, and they secured their third nine-win season over that span with a 23-21 victory at South Carolina on Nov. 24. Yet Bowden has never been fully embraced by Clemson faithful, and sources close to him say that's a major reason he's seriously considering the move. The past three years, the Tigers have fallen just short of the ACC title game. Clemson's last ACC title was in 1991. This year, Bowden would have likely locked up a lucrative long-term contract — plus the desired multi-year deals for his assistants — had Clemson defeated Boston College on Nov. 17. The Tigers squandered an Atlantic Division title that night, losing 20-17 and watching the Eagles advance to the ACC championship game against Virginia Tech. Bowden would leave behind a program in excellent shape. If no juniors depart early, the Tigers would return 20 of their top 22 players on defense, plus quarterback Cullen Harper, tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller, and receiver Aaron Kelly. Bowden, who cancelled a scheduled recruiting trip Monday night, could not be reached for comment. He was in his office Monday afternoon organizing Clemson's bowl schedule. During a Chick-fil-A Bowl teleconference on Sunday night, Bowden said he'd remain at Clemson "as long as they want me." Nutt spent 10 years at Arkansas. He resigned last week, reportedly turning down an annual package of $2.4 million, before taking the job at Mississippi a day later. Jim Bostic, president of IPTAY's board of directors, said Clemson will be able to find a capable replacement if Bowden bolts. "We'd love to have him," Bostic said. "But if he decides it's good for him and his family to go to Arkansas, I think we'll be able to find ourselves a very good football coach." A year ago, Phillips declined to give Bowden an extension after a disappointing 8-5 season. Last week, Clemson announced Phillips would offer Bowden a contract extension. Whether Bowden accepts it or takes off for Arkansas could be determined today. Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 26 comment(s)
Posted by kingfish on December 4, 2007 at 12:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't let the barn door hit you on your way out!
Posted by beespencer on December 4, 2007 at 3:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lol....so who will lead the Tigers if Bowden leaves?
Posted by hogfan on December 4, 2007 at 5:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We, as fans, do NOT want someone like Tommy Bowden!!!! He can't even win the ACC which is one of the weakest conferences in college football. He is going to make Arkansas even more mediocore than we were under Nutt head. Unbelievable that Jeff Long could be this stupid in his first hire.
Posted by OldSalt on December 4, 2007 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is one year sufficient penance for Dennis Erickson to do in Tempe, AZ?...or Charlie Weis might be available...or John Fox or...hey! Is that farmer guy still hangin' around? He was pretty good back in the day! Could Tommy Tuberville be coaching against his future team?
Serously, think Butch Davis, Greg Schiano, Jim Grobe, Jeff Tedford or Steve Kragthorpe, but you're gonna have to do better in the fundage department to land one of them.
Posted by OldSalt on December 4, 2007 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
p.s. If you're REALLY ready to spend the bucks, there might be one other coach available, BUT...they don't call that other coach "Rich" for nothing....
Posted by ThePhink on December 4, 2007 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is he gone yet?
Posted by mansejolly on December 4, 2007 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great, just the sort of news our players need to motivate them to win the Peach Bowl...or not.
Posted by bigriver1 on December 4, 2007 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Two words Arkansas. Jim Grobe! Jim Grobe is the most underated coach in America. Look at what he does with 2 star players. One day one of these high profile schools will wake up and hire him. I was surprised Nebraska did not hire him.
Posted by theronce on December 4, 2007 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How long to rebuild will we give the new coach after Bowden?
Posted by greener1 on December 4, 2007 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Clemson fans never happy. Still living in 81' and the Danny Ford era. Talking about not wanting Bowden and not winning in a weak conference is funny, because they sure as hell can't win it-not since 1991 anyways. Shut up Clemson, you had a good coach and your perceived attitude that you are a national power is nothing more than.......perceived.
Posted by bigriver1 on December 4, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All this talk about weak conference sure is funny. You must be a sc fan. It must really be fun to play in the best conference and be the WORSE team in the conference. How many titles does sc have in ANY conference? sc football is a joke. I think Tommys record against one of the mighty sec teams { sc } is 7-2! Nuff said.
Posted by nomoregoodolboy on December 4, 2007 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Typical fair weather Clemson fans. If he would have beat BC they would have named streets after him in Clemson.
I wish he we would leave because you don't know what you got until it is gone. Maybe they will promote Brad Scott to head coach.
Posted by greener1 on December 4, 2007 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny you mention Brad Scott. He made as much progress as all the coaches that have followed him-NONE! Your one to talk USC.
Posted by bigriver1 on December 4, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Tommy will stay at Clemson. Coaches always take a look at what is out there. He is a good coach, good man, leads young men to a path that will make them into great men of great character. Clemson is very close to doing great things on the football field. Clemson is getting better every year and TOMMY is responsible for this. His record against sc is 7-2! As for this weak conference thing all you sc fans load up and go get you some of little old Wake! You will come away battered and bloody wondering what just ran over you!
Posted by DCartisan on December 4, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BRAD SCOTT! BRAD SCOTT! BRAD SCOTT! BRAD SCOTT! BRAD SCOTT!
Posted by SCdeacinNYC on December 4, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NO way--Jim Grobe will probably stay with Wake Forest. Coaches at WFU love the small school atmosphere and we always have treated our coaches well. He's getting paid and Wake is doing well without the talent level of a Clemson team.
Besides, He will not want to deal with the Clemson fans (disclaimer: I'm a Clemson fan also, they are my second favorite ACC team after my alma mater of course) but they put serious pressure on a coach to succeed. At Wake, just making it to a bowl game is success, at Clemson, they will need to win an ACC championship with the talent level they consistently have.
Posted by rugbyroad on December 4, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"It must really be fun to play in the best conference and be the WORSE team in the conference."
Ah, that eloquent Clemson diction! Somewhere your grade school teacher is cringing.
"How many titles does sc have in ANY conference?"
1969 ACC, which is about as recent as Clemson's last ACC title. Look it up.
Posted by robbybobby on December 4, 2007 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
why would arkansas be interested in a coach who can't get it done in the a she she? makes no sense.
Posted by JRob on December 4, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
River's Jim Grobe comment actually makes sense.
Posted by nomoregoodolboy on December 4, 2007 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And when was the last time Clemson won the ACC? I believe it was before FSU, Miami, Va Tech, and BC came into the conference. Funny how Clemson ruled the ACC until the better teams were added. Once these teams were added Clemson was nowhere to be found.
Greener I can't believe your hatred of SC has you so blind that you say Brad Scott made more progress than any coach that has followed him. Do you honestly think that? And by that rationale Bowden has not lived up to the standards set by Danny Ford. Wait a minute its not fair to compare the two since Danny Ford was a cheat and Bowden has not been caught yet.
Posted by scnative4ever on December 4, 2007 at noon (Suggest removal)
i'm not sure why a carolina fan would want to inject anything into this conversation, especially criticism of another team. I think if my football team stunk so bad they didn't even get invited to a bowl i would keep my mouth shut. But I have heard officials from the Toilet Bowl was still negotiating with carolina to play in their bowl against the team from the Univ of terd.
Posted by Edwin435 on December 4, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its all relative I guess. I think that most Clemson Fans ( myself included ) think that after 9 years of trying returning the Tigers to national prominence we have become a little disillusioned. That is not to say that we are not happy with the record. 9-3 is 9-3 but look at the win /loss record in the bowls. We beat Tennessee, Colorado and LA Tech... We lost to VA Tech, Ms State, Kentucky, and Texas Tech. I think that no one hires a coach to come close to winning a conference championship. You hire one to improve the team and win one not to mention trying to get to a BCS bowl. Has this happened...no...but it can and he may be the coach to get it done. Now with that being said.... he has to do it soon....10 years and counting !
Posted by schleeve23 on December 4, 2007 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tommy is staying. Apparently he can't pass up the benefit that the final game of the season adds to his winning pct. For the SC grads--Tommy good. You bad. 7-2. Why do "you people" constantly bash the ACC when a team like Clemson who "can't win" the league consistently beats you? If you can't beat Clemson on a regular basis what makes you think you could win the ACC? Oh yeah, I almost forgot...23-21!
Posted by youmanyo on December 4, 2007 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The last ACC title for Clemson was in 1991 , that sure is close to 1969. 23-21
Posted by rebel1 on December 4, 2007 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you got to love the putty kat fans that brag about beating a team with a losing record.hey when you beat duke, c mich, furman, l monroe, nc state, even USC is a step up. little ditch 0, you need to get up from the makeup table, do some research, and give us some new data that you promised awhile back. you know, something less than 70 years old. just facts young lady, just facts.lol lol lol. ps little ditch 0 predicted putty kats and okl in nat champ game. lol lol lol lol
Posted by Timmy69 on March 29, 2008 at 4:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice senoritas playing adult games at http://worldofadult.com