1 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:08,760 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, Welcome to another edition of the Dave Pash Podcast. 2 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Arizona Cardinals and ESPN broadcaster Dave Pash. 3 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: Our guest this week is Clemson head coach Dabo Sweeney. 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:22,599 Speaker 1: Two time national champion, seven time ACC champion, eleven straight 5 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: ten win seasons, college football playoff appearances, six straight years 6 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: until twenty twenty one. Dabo now in his fifteenth here 7 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 1: at Clemson, fourteenth full season, and he gets into a 8 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 1: lot of stuff about what to expect from Clemson here 9 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:41,879 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two. They have two new coordinators, potentially 10 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:46,600 Speaker 1: some competition at quarterback. We'll also talk with Dabo about 11 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 1: Cardinals connections, including Wes Goodwin. Wes was an assistant to 12 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 1: Bruce Arians for a couple of years and is now 13 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: taking over the defense at Clemson, replacing one of the 14 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: most successful coordinates in college football the last twenty years 15 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 1: in Brenton Venables, who's now the head coach at Oklahoma. 16 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: We'll also talk about Isaiah Simmons and DeAndre Hopkins, both 17 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:13,480 Speaker 1: played for Davos Sweeney at Clemson. You know I'll watch 18 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: new Hopkins like teeweek ball, middle school ball, high school ball, 19 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: and he was the best athlete. He was a legend 20 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 1: around here, you know, and not a highly recruited guy 21 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,199 Speaker 1: at all. And I say he's had a pretty good career. 22 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 1: We are presented by bet mgm, the official sports betting 23 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: partner of the Arizona Cardinals, and by Hila River Hotels 24 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: and Casinos. Get ready for a football season like never 25 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 1: before with betmgm, an official partner of the Arizona Cardinals. 26 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 1: Sign up today using code cards one thousand and get 27 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: your first bet risk free up to one thousand dollars. 28 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: Visit betmgm dot com for terms and conditions. Twenty one 29 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: and over Arizona only. Please gamble responsibly. Gambling problem called 30 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: one eight hundred. Next step, all right, time for our 31 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:04,680 Speaker 1: conversation with Clemson head coach Dabbo Sweeney. Well, dab Well, First, 32 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: I guess let's talk about training camp. It's you're fourteen 33 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 1: for you fourteenth full season as the head coach at Clemson. 34 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: How's camping so far? It's been great? Uh? We we 35 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: bet a healthy camp, which has been a positive for 36 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 1: us and just broke camps kind of starting to slip 37 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 1: the script and they get their lives back and start 38 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: you know, getting back to being scholar athletes again. And 39 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 1: you know, we've kind of had all football for three weeks, 40 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 1: so it's been good. We've got a lot accomplished a 41 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: lot a lot, you know, installed offensively, defensively, special teams, situations, 42 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 1: you name it. We've got a much better feel for 43 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 1: our personnel and roles on the team and all those 44 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:49,839 Speaker 1: type of things. So it's been a lot of fun. 45 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 1: I think it's a close group with a lot of 46 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 1: better in leadership and a team that I think has 47 00:02:56,919 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 1: a chance to compete for this league. And that's really 48 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:02,359 Speaker 1: what we focus on every year, if we can compete 49 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 1: for our league and good things come from that. I 50 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 1: read where you said this is the best quarterback room 51 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,240 Speaker 1: you've had, which to me, given that you had a 52 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 1: guy that you know was the number one overall picking 53 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 1: the draft, and Trevor Lawrence, and you've had Deshaun Watson, obviously, 54 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 1: that's quite a statement. Tell me about this group because 55 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 1: Kate Klubnick, who obviously was highly recruited, I'm sure when 56 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:26,960 Speaker 1: we call your game for ESPN Labor Day Night against 57 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 1: Georgia Tech, we're gonna be talking about him, and obviously 58 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: a lot of eyes are going to be on your starter. DJ. Yeah, well, 59 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: we got a long way to go before we can 60 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: say we've got a Trevor Or Deshaan. But as far 61 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 1: as the room, there's no question it's the best room 62 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: I've had in that. I mean when when Trevor was here, 63 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 1: I mean, we want it all in eighteen, and it 64 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 1: was Trevor Lawrence as a true freshman, and Chase Bryce 65 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: was a red shirt freshman, and our thirteen quarterback was 66 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 1: a guy named Hunter Infro, and our fourteen quarterback was 67 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 1: our punter, so we really had two guys. And and 68 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: even when we won it in sixteen, you know, we 69 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: just didn't have the type of quality depth we got 70 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 1: in the room. I mean, we got a bunch of 71 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 1: functional dudes in our room. A lot of people don't 72 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: have one. But man, we got DJ who's a high 73 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:19,600 Speaker 1: level talent and U can can play this game at 74 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:23,000 Speaker 1: a high level. We got big expectations for him. And 75 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 1: then you know, Kay club Nick number one quarterback in 76 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: the country coming in here. Uh, he is better than 77 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:33,360 Speaker 1: than he's advertised. I mean he's a great, great young talent. 78 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 1: He's been here since January, so he really, um is 79 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:40,920 Speaker 1: just very advanced and can go win for us without 80 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 1: a doubt. And then we got Hunter Johnson, who was 81 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 1: coming out of high school the numb one quarterback in 82 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 1: the country. And he's a sixth year guy who started 83 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 1: his career here at Clemson and then he went to 84 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:56,479 Speaker 1: Northwestern and and uh, you know, started some got injured, 85 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:58,600 Speaker 1: had some some challenge there, but he's a he's just 86 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 1: a very mature, very polished, uh, unbelievably experienced guy. He's 87 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 1: just you know, he's a six year college player and 88 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 1: he's our thirteen guy. And then we've got a kid 89 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 1: named Billy Wiles and Hunter helms U two guys that 90 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: uh can can play as well, that are that are 91 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:19,479 Speaker 1: going to be you know, red shirt freshman guys that 92 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:23,280 Speaker 1: we feel good about um and a young man named 93 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: Trent Permis. So we've got We've got who was two 94 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: time Gatorade Player of the Year in the state. So 95 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 1: we've got just just a bunch of guys who who 96 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: you know, we're not trying to make a quarterback like 97 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:36,479 Speaker 1: with Hunter Infro. We've got guys that can really play 98 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:39,160 Speaker 1: the position, and it just gives us more depth than 99 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 1: we've had in a while. So again, It's been a 100 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,880 Speaker 1: long time. I can't remember having three guys like we 101 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:47,679 Speaker 1: have that could go win for us. Because I really 102 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: believe that DJ and Kaye and Hunter Johnson can can 103 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 1: absolutely win for us. Um if we need him to 104 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: go play Dabo. You've got two new coordinators. Both worked 105 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:02,040 Speaker 1: the Bowl game. We called that game for ESPN, so 106 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: they both have done it when the bullets are live. 107 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 1: And actually your defensive coordinator is a guy that Cardinal 108 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:11,280 Speaker 1: fans probably should be familiar with, but maybe they're not 109 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: because they don't remember the role that West Goodwin had here. 110 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 1: He was actually basically an assistant to be a assistant 111 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 1: to Bruce Arians. I know he had spent time at 112 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,920 Speaker 1: Clemson before and then after and now he's calling the defense. 113 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 1: How's West doing? And just tell me why you went 114 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: in that direction with him? Oh Man, West is great, 115 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:33,920 Speaker 1: and you know I've known West. So when I got 116 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: this job in December of eight, hard Woody mccorby. You 117 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: probably know Woody yea and Woody was coming from Mississippi 118 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: State at the time. You know, it was the Sylvester 119 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:52,359 Speaker 1: Crome there, and you know what he told me. He said, 120 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 1: He said, he said, Dad, we gotta I got. I know, 121 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 1: you got your staffs at you got everybody will hate us, 122 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: but we got there's one guy. We gotta on the 123 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 1: way to get this guy to Clemson. And I'm like, well, 124 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 1: who is it? And uh that was the first time 125 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: I ever heard of West Goodwin. And so he came 126 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 1: as a grad assistant and uh and it didn't take 127 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 1: me long to realize why why would he? Um, you know, 128 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: said we need this guy? He is He is a 129 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 1: he's kind of always been a behind the scenes guy. Um, 130 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 1: just a brilliant mind for the game. Uh, you know, 131 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 1: understands the game at a level that not many people do. 132 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 1: A great defensive mind, but he also really understands offensive football. 133 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: Um and um, you know his He's been a really 134 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 1: to me kind of a rock, uh within our staff 135 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: for a long time. And you know, back in two 136 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: thousand and twelve, you know he actually when we beat 137 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 1: LSU in that crazy game down there in Atlanta. Uh, 138 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: my DD coach had left and and he went to 139 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 1: Auburn and so Wes we put him on the field, 140 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: and man, he did an awesome job in that game house. 141 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 1: The first time I got a chance to see him 142 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 1: on the field other than when he was a grad assistant. 143 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 1: So he just kept getting promoted here and then he 144 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 1: was left to go to the NFL out there with Bruce, 145 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 1: and uh, honestly, I probably wouldn't. The best thing that 146 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: happened to me and Clinston is Bruce retired, uh you 147 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: know at the time. So when he retired, it was 148 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: an opportunity to get West back here. And man, he's 149 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 1: just been awesome and everybody he's worked with, uh, you know, 150 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:31,800 Speaker 1: Kevin Steele here, Uh, certainly Brent. You know, the first 151 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: person Brent morened I take. He really wanted to take 152 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 1: him Oklahoma, but I wasn't gonna let that happen. But 153 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 1: he's just he's just a great coach. He's got a 154 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 1: great demeanor. He really relates well to the players. The 155 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:46,320 Speaker 1: guys respect him, everybody in the building respects him, and 156 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 1: uh so just think he's got a bright, bright future. 157 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 1: And it was an easy decision for me because I've 158 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,719 Speaker 1: seen him since, you know, December of oh eight. I've 159 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 1: watched him and I know what he's capable of. And really, honestly, 160 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 1: for the last probably two and a half three years, 161 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:05,200 Speaker 1: the only reason he's still been here is. You know, 162 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 1: I've told him he was going to get this opportunity, um, 163 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 1: you know, because I kept thinking Brent was going to 164 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 1: get a job, and he kept turning jobs down. And 165 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:17,960 Speaker 1: you know, Wesley's turned down several jobs to go coach 166 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:22,199 Speaker 1: linebackers in the NFL or whatever and to stay here. 167 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:25,080 Speaker 1: So he's been patient and it was his time. And 168 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 1: I'm really glad, as you said, we got a chance 169 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: to do the bowl game. Uh you know, street Or 170 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,199 Speaker 1: got a chance to run the offense and West got 171 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 1: a chance to with the defense. And so that's valuable 172 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 1: experience for us, especially going against a tough opponent like 173 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 1: Iowa State, to be able to have you know, that 174 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 1: live in game experience. And he did a great job 175 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 1: for us, and man, he's just carried it over into 176 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: the spring. We got a great staff, and um, you 177 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 1: know again, you know, I think we got a chance 178 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 1: to be a really special defense, Brent being Brent Venable 179 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 1: who's now the head coach at Oklahoma. You mentioned Woody McCorvey. 180 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: Woody's nephew, Quinton, actually works for the Cardinals in social media. 181 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 1: He runs the Twitter feed and many other things for 182 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: the Cardinals. So a lot of Cardinals, Clemson connections. And 183 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: I used to talk to West Dabble all the time 184 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 1: when he was here, and he really impressed me. In fact, 185 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: in some ways he kind of reminded me of you, 186 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 1: Like you probably don't remember this. I did your first 187 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: game when Tommy Bowden resigned, and I remember the production 188 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:31,319 Speaker 1: meeting with you that week. And obviously there's a lot 189 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:32,680 Speaker 1: going on in the middle of the season. I know 190 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: you're close with Tommy. You get the job as the 191 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: interim coach, but that production meeting when we are calling 192 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 1: the game for ESPN stood out because of how confident 193 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:47,400 Speaker 1: either you were or you seemed. And West is similar 194 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: to me, and I'm just curious, like, did you how 195 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 1: long did it take you to get the confidence to 196 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 1: run a program like Clemson? Wasn't immediate because it seemed 197 00:10:56,679 --> 00:11:01,480 Speaker 1: immediate back in Oa. Yeah, well, you know, I was confident, 198 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 1: um in my ability to do it. I wasn't. I 199 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 1: knew I had a lot to learn, but I was 200 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:12,200 Speaker 1: confident because I had prepared for a long time, you know, 201 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 1: since nineteen ninety three when I got into coaching. You know, 202 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 1: I prepared to be a head coach, and you know 203 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: I had I had um, you know, really worked at 204 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: it for years and years um as far as okay 205 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:28,559 Speaker 1: if I and then I had interviewed for a couple 206 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 1: of jobs, um, which really forced me to to pull 207 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: everything together on kind of like, okay, who am I what? 208 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: What would what would my program look like? What do 209 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:45,800 Speaker 1: what are my beliefs, you know, whether it be discipline, academics, philosophy, offensively, defensively. 210 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:48,840 Speaker 1: What would my staff look like? What? What this? What? 211 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 1: You know? I had this vision of player development which 212 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:56,080 Speaker 1: is now called Paul Journey, all these things, um, and 213 00:11:56,160 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 1: so you know, and I was just confident in in 214 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 1: uh uh myself to be able to get the job 215 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: done simply because of what my life had taught me. 216 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:11,079 Speaker 1: And uh and I was prepared to to Uh. I 217 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: wasn't afraid to fail, uh, to be honest with you, 218 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:17,680 Speaker 1: but that that I knew, man, I had a lot 219 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: to learn as a head coach. I don't know, there's 220 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,200 Speaker 1: no greater teacher than experience. I mean, you just I 221 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:24,440 Speaker 1: don't care how much you prepare, how much you read, 222 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 1: there's there's there's nothing like doing it. But I felt 223 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: like I was prepared as I could be. And uh, 224 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 1: so you know, and then I and then I knew, 225 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:36,839 Speaker 1: I knew I had the support of the players. I 226 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: knew I had the belief of those kids on that team, 227 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 1: and uh that they really wanted to you know, finish 228 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 1: and and and and you know, not go out the 229 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 1: way it was. And we did. We went four and 230 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:51,480 Speaker 1: two and had a chance to and then I got 231 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 1: the jobs. So, um, I knew I had a lot 232 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 1: to learn, but it was just a lot of excitement. 233 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: You know. I was thirty eight years old, and and uh, 234 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 1: you know, for fifteen years I had really been preparing 235 00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:06,439 Speaker 1: for that opportunity. I had no idea would ever ever come. 236 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: I always thought I'd get a job a normal way 237 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:11,560 Speaker 1: that really nothing's been normal in my life anyway, so 238 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 1: it was kind of fitting. Do you still I remember 239 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:16,679 Speaker 1: from I still have them actually, I think from the 240 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:19,720 Speaker 1: championship years. You were given out to a lot of people. 241 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: We haven't been there in a while because of COVID 242 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 1: in person, but you were given out. They looked like 243 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: poker chips. I can't. Yeah, do you still you guys 244 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: still do those? And what's the what's the theme? Oh? Yeah, yeah, 245 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 1: so you know when I when I if you go 246 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 1: back and so the very first day as an interim 247 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: when um um the change happened mid morning and you know, uh, 248 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: it was a Monday, and you know, we got to 249 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 1: practice that night. We're playing this this Georgia Tech team. 250 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:49,120 Speaker 1: By the way, they've just got this new triple option 251 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: coming in and so you know, Coach Bowden met with 252 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: the team at like four and then and then I 253 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:58,559 Speaker 1: came in and I met with the team all by myself, 254 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:01,000 Speaker 1: just me and those guys, I have anybody else in 255 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 1: the room. And basically I told them what the AD 256 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 1: told me, because you know, the AD told me after 257 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 1: I met with him. I went into the meeting with 258 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:10,920 Speaker 1: Ad thinking, I'm just you know, he's gonna maybe try 259 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: to get the next guy to keep me and it's 260 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 1: gonna be a miserable experience. But when I was in 261 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 1: there with Terry down Phillips, he basically said, you know, 262 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 1: dad boy, I've watched you for five and a half years, 263 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: and I'm to be honest with you, I really thank 264 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 1: you what we need at Clemson. That was exactly what 265 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,200 Speaker 1: he said. And he goes, he goes now here, I'm 266 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 1: gonna interview a bunch of people and I'm gonna hire 267 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: the best guy. He goes, but no matter what happens, 268 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: where you win a game or lose a game or 269 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: lose them all, I'm gonna give you an interview for 270 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: this job. And he goes, but here's what I really want. 271 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 1: So the next night, seven weeks, he said, for the 272 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 1: next seven weeks, I don't want you to be the 273 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:48,320 Speaker 1: interim head coach. I want you to be the head coach, 274 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 1: and I want you to think like the head coach. 275 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: And he goes, I want you to look at this 276 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 1: as an opportunity, you know, and I want you to 277 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 1: do whatever you want to do to fix us, if 278 00:14:57,880 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 1: you want to fire the whole staff. That was I mean, 279 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: it's so I mean, I was just kind of blown 280 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 1: away with what he told me, and so you know, 281 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 1: he empowered me that way, and so I was like, 282 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 1: you know, I was like, wow, all right, I got 283 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 1: seven weeks here, And basically when I met with the 284 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 1: team that night, I wanted them to know what he 285 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 1: told me. So I told him what he said, and 286 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:20,800 Speaker 1: I said, look, guys, I know I don't have a 287 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: good chance at this job, but I got a chance. 288 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 1: And for the next seven weeks. Then I'm all in, 289 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 1: all right, and I explained to them what that meant, 290 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 1: you know I mean, And then I laid out the 291 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: expectations of what it meant for them, And I mean 292 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: an absolute and absolute commitment to being and doing their 293 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:44,120 Speaker 1: best and everything that they do, becoming people of excellence 294 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 1: and learning. How that that when you when you when 295 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: you decide to live your life that way, it carries 296 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,800 Speaker 1: over into every area of your life, you know, whether 297 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: it's being a better football player or being a better 298 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 1: person and the relationships, whatever it is. And I just said, 299 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: you know, we're gonna practice the six and I laid 300 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: out how we were going to change things, from how 301 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 1: we were gonna practice, to how we were gonna travel, 302 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: to how we were going to meet YadA yadi, and 303 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: I said, if you want to be a part of that, 304 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 1: and you truly are all in, then you come to practice. 305 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 1: If not, clean your locker out, Hey, your scholarship's good. 306 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 1: When the next guy gets hired, hey you come on back, 307 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 1: no problem. But for the next seven weeks, here's how 308 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 1: we're gonna do it. And so everybody showed up at 309 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:26,560 Speaker 1: practice that night, and then what happened is when that 310 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:29,520 Speaker 1: practice was over, I went in, I mean, I thought 311 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 1: I was gonna talk to two reporters or something, and 312 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 1: they got this you know, whole room, and the media 313 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:37,240 Speaker 1: asked me, and I told the media what I told 314 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 1: the team. I said, hey, look, I'm all in. I 315 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 1: had seven weeks and I don't know how it's gonna go. 316 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 1: And I know I don't have a great hand. I 317 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 1: kind of got like talcket eights, but I got a 318 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: chance and I am all in. And so that's where 319 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:52,480 Speaker 1: it came from that Monday night, and it kind of 320 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 1: took on, you know, a life of its own there 321 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 1: at OA. And so later on in the week, as 322 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 1: we were really trying to, you know, build the mindset 323 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:04,600 Speaker 1: of the team, you know, I'm like, you know what, 324 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 1: why don't we Is there anything? I went to a 325 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 1: guy I said, anyway we can make like a poker chip, 326 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:10,919 Speaker 1: like and what I want to do. I want to 327 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 1: put one in their locker. And the last thing I 328 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 1: wanted to do is they walk out of that locker room. 329 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: Is I want to I want to get a big 330 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: bucket and it says I'm all in. I want to 331 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:21,160 Speaker 1: have to tangibly throw that chip in the bucket as 332 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:24,199 Speaker 1: just kind of one last reminder of the commitment that 333 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 1: everyone has made. And so that's how it started, and 334 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,880 Speaker 1: then and then we to this day. So if it's 335 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 1: if it's if it's game five, there's five chips in 336 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: their locker. If it's game fifteen, there's fifteen chips in 337 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,960 Speaker 1: their locker. And the last thing we do to this 338 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:41,959 Speaker 1: day is, man, we throw those chips in that bucket 339 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: and it's and it's just a again a tangible, visual, 340 00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:53,160 Speaker 1: physical reminder of hey, I'm committed, you know, to being 341 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 1: my best, doing my best, and everybody's everybody's committed with me. 342 00:17:56,280 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 1: So that's where that came from. And it's it's you know, 343 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: the all endships here or something that's just a staple 344 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:06,960 Speaker 1: in our program. It always has Danny and you know, 345 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:09,400 Speaker 1: so just a part of who we are. So as 346 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 1: we say it's it's just as it may be a 347 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 1: slogan in some places, but it's a lifestyle here at Clemson. 348 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 1: A couple of questions on former Clemson Tigers that are 349 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: playing for the Cardinals, and then we'll get you out 350 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: of here. One of the reasons stab of that you 351 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 1: and your staff have been able to have so much 352 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: success is recruiting Isaiah Simmons, who was a first round 353 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 1: pick a couple of years ago by the Cardinals. They're 354 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 1: depending on him to have a huge year and they're 355 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 1: moving around a lot similar to what Brent Ventibles and 356 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:39,680 Speaker 1: you guys did with him there. How did you find him? 357 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,639 Speaker 1: How did you How did you know because he was 358 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: in Kansas right a community college? How did you find him? 359 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 1: And what did you expect from him? And how often 360 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 1: do you talk to him? Now? Yeah, So you know, 361 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,399 Speaker 1: he's one of those great stories and one of the 362 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:55,879 Speaker 1: reasons that we have the philosophy that we have here 363 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,119 Speaker 1: at Clemson, and that I'm always trying to slow the 364 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 1: recruiting process down because the recruiting process is sped off 365 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 1: and now it's like, you know, you're you're some evil 366 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 1: empire if you don't offer a freshman, you know, or 367 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:10,439 Speaker 1: a sophomore, God forbid. You know, he's played one year 368 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: of varsity football and and now where everybody's expected to 369 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:16,600 Speaker 1: just offer all these kids, um, and you know, we 370 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:19,880 Speaker 1: forget football is very much a developmental game. Even at 371 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 1: the pro level. There's still guys that are developing. And 372 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:25,440 Speaker 1: but in high school, I mean, these kids are they're 373 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 1: changing daily. I mean, it's just a it's there. They're 374 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 1: at that stage of their life. So I'm always slowing 375 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 1: the recruiting process down. And and so we go go 376 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 1: back to two thy fifteen, we played in the National 377 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 1: championship game, got beat and you know, as a coach, 378 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 1: you only like you get eighty five scholarships, and so 379 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:49,160 Speaker 1: you know, you plan your scholarships for the next class 380 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,119 Speaker 1: based on how many seniors you have, or if you 381 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: have a junior or two that has told you they're leaving, 382 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:56,680 Speaker 1: you know, you kind of plan your your your roster 383 00:19:56,800 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 1: that way. And uh. And so you know, we've never 384 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 1: been program that has oversigned or overcommitted or anything like that, 385 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 1: because then you get into problem because then you got 386 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:08,120 Speaker 1: to start running people off and that stuff. So that's 387 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:11,720 Speaker 1: just not how we operate. That particular year, you know, 388 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:13,919 Speaker 1: we had some guys that had decisions to make and 389 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 1: we're in the national championship run for the first time 390 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 1: since nineteen eighty one. I mean, it was it was 391 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:22,239 Speaker 1: it was a and nobody nobody was ready to make 392 00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:24,320 Speaker 1: a decision like that. They didn't everybody was just focused 393 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 1: on what they were doing. And then all of a sudden, 394 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 1: we get done with that game, and we had we 395 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 1: were not recruiting, so as a result, all my dds 396 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:37,440 Speaker 1: were juniors and we were planning on them being back. 397 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 1: And you know, all of a sudden, when that game's over, 398 00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:46,000 Speaker 1: Jay Ron Kirsh decides to go pro. McKenzie Alexander decides 399 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: to go pro, Travis Blanks decides to go pro, and 400 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:52,680 Speaker 1: then a young junior, a young junior named t J. 401 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: Greene safety decides to go pro. So now we're sitting here, man, 402 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:01,080 Speaker 1: we got three weeks to go recruiting days in February, 403 00:21:01,520 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 1: and we just had four juniors who had another year lead. 404 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 1: So we got in the DV business real quick. And uh, 405 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 1: and so I'll tell you who we signed. So we're 406 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: we're looking, so we're gott We're looking all over the 407 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: place and we find it. We knew about Trayvon Mullin, 408 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:21,679 Speaker 1: but but you know, we didn't really heavily, heavily recruit 409 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:24,720 Speaker 1: him until we knew we had a spot. So Treyvon 410 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:26,920 Speaker 1: probably was going to go to LSU. But Trayvon ends 411 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:29,760 Speaker 1: up coming to Clemson and UM and now you know 412 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: it was with the Raiders in the second round pick. Uh, 413 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:37,520 Speaker 1: then we signed UM. We signed h treyvon Mullin. Uh. 414 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 1: We signed a kid named Kevan Wallace who I had 415 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:42,640 Speaker 1: never heard of in my life, met him, met him 416 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,200 Speaker 1: a few days before, like the week before signing date. 417 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:47,920 Speaker 1: He was a kid that blossomed as a senior in 418 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:51,080 Speaker 1: high school. Not was hardly recruited at all as a junior, 419 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:54,000 Speaker 1: you know, some lower level. And then his senior year, 420 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:55,520 Speaker 1: at the end of the year, man he got he 421 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:58,760 Speaker 1: started getting some schools and Brent got a call and 422 00:21:58,760 --> 00:22:02,359 Speaker 1: he evaluated and finds it. And so we get Kava Wallace, 423 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 1: who now is with the Philadelphia Eagles. And then we 424 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:08,199 Speaker 1: got uh, we got a kid. He comes to me 425 00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:09,679 Speaker 1: and he says, hey, let's watch this kid and he 426 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: played receiver and safety, big old long Langley, gangly guy 427 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 1: out in Kansas named Isaiah Simmons. And so I get 428 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:21,119 Speaker 1: on the phone with Isaiah Simmons because he had and 429 00:22:21,160 --> 00:22:23,800 Speaker 1: I because I said, all right, here's the deal. I said, 430 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: if if you are willing to come visit Clemson, I'm 431 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:28,040 Speaker 1: gonna fly out there and meet with you and your family. 432 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 1: And he was interested. With one visit left, so I 433 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 1: flew out and um and we had a great meeting 434 00:22:34,359 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 1: where he and his family, uh there in Old Laysa, 435 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: and he was a guy that as the sophomore in 436 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:41,919 Speaker 1: high school, you were not going to offer Isaiah Simmons. 437 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:44,840 Speaker 1: You know, he was just like a young giraffe, you know, 438 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 1: growing into his into his awkward body. And uh, but 439 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, as a senior, he's this high 440 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: level track guy. Could fly, he could jump, you could see, 441 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 1: was still a wall guy and uh, but man, he 442 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:00,920 Speaker 1: had some he had just now till traits. And so 443 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:04,119 Speaker 1: he comes on his visit and he loved it, and 444 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 1: so you know, hit it off with he and his 445 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:10,920 Speaker 1: family as broad brother had played college ball as well, 446 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:13,119 Speaker 1: and they had a good understanding of the process. So 447 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 1: he comes in here red shirts, the same thing he 448 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:18,679 Speaker 1: was in. Wasn't ready to play. He red shirts. Then 449 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:20,919 Speaker 1: he plays as a red shirt freshman, you know, and 450 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:23,439 Speaker 1: the kid grows in and develops into who he is 451 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 1: and as the eighth pick in the draft or whatever, 452 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:33,080 Speaker 1: just this incredible dynamic player. But never he never met 453 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:35,800 Speaker 1: him until January of his senior year, didn't even know 454 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:37,560 Speaker 1: who he was. And now all of a sudden, we 455 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:39,480 Speaker 1: get a kid that's eates picking the draft, and then 456 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:44,199 Speaker 1: we got this kid named Nolan Turner out of Birmingham, Alabama, 457 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:48,520 Speaker 1: who I think I think we were his only Division 458 00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 1: one offer. I think he had some one double A offers, 459 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:52,720 Speaker 1: but I think we were his only Division one. And 460 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:54,960 Speaker 1: I had played with his father, Kevin Turner, who played 461 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,200 Speaker 1: and was a great NFL player for a long time, 462 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 1: and he and I were great friends. And his father 463 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 1: they had passed away from als and I just always 464 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 1: kept up with no one were Riginally we didn't have 465 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:06,679 Speaker 1: a spot, and I said, like, you know what, let 466 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:09,000 Speaker 1: me go watch Nolan's Turner. And so I watched his 467 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:12,200 Speaker 1: tape and it's high school coach who coached fifty years 468 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:15,280 Speaker 1: there in Birmingham. His exact words to me. And I 469 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: called Buddy Anderson, I said, I let's talk. I said, 470 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:19,800 Speaker 1: because I know what I see on tape and so, 471 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:21,480 Speaker 1: but I felt like I was a little biased. So 472 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: I took I take, I go down to Brent and 473 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:24,880 Speaker 1: I said, how, I want you to watch this kid 474 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: and tell them what you think. So we pull him 475 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:30,480 Speaker 1: up in Vinible's Ghost. We start watching him Invinibles goost. 476 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 1: Who's this guy? What's it? You know? He just starts 477 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:35,879 Speaker 1: getting on Hawk signed he's like and I said, and 478 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:37,520 Speaker 1: I said, so you really like this guy hunt He 479 00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 1: goes coach, this guy can play? Where is he? And 480 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 1: I said, all right, that's all I need enough. And 481 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 1: so I I call his high school coach, Buddy Anderson. 482 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:49,680 Speaker 1: I'll never forget it. Buddy's coached a million guys in college. 483 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:54,320 Speaker 1: And I said, coach, I'm calling you about Nolan. And 484 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:56,439 Speaker 1: I had alfered him a walk on spot the year before. 485 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,000 Speaker 1: I said, I'm calling you about knowing. I said, hey, listen, 486 00:24:59,359 --> 00:25:01,439 Speaker 1: I know you know relationship will have with the family. 487 00:25:01,480 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 1: That what's your opinion on him? And he goes coach 488 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 1: he's as good a football players I've ever had here. 489 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 1: And I can't get anybody to recruit him. And he said, 490 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:12,160 Speaker 1: I don't understand, and it's frustrating and blah blah blah. 491 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,840 Speaker 1: And I said, well, I'm gonna recruit him. And I'm 492 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:17,359 Speaker 1: coming off from a scholarship tomorrow. And I flew in 493 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:19,600 Speaker 1: the next day, went and saw his dad and it 494 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 1: was just a really cool moment. And and actually, when 495 00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:24,960 Speaker 1: I get off the soul of you, I'm I'm gonna 496 00:25:24,960 --> 00:25:27,159 Speaker 1: be on the phone with the bucks Rick Stroud that 497 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:30,159 Speaker 1: one of their top Uh yeah, because it looks like 498 00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:32,439 Speaker 1: he's gonna make their team as an undrafted free agent. 499 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:35,840 Speaker 1: And he was a great player here for US. So 500 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:38,560 Speaker 1: that was our dB class that year. And all of 501 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:40,840 Speaker 1: those guys are in the NFL now, every single one 502 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:43,560 Speaker 1: of them. TJ was a second round pick, you know, 503 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:46,720 Speaker 1: Cavon was like a fourth round pick, trey Von was 504 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:49,040 Speaker 1: a second round pick, Isaiah was the eighth pick in 505 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:52,960 Speaker 1: the draft, and Nolan is, like I said, undrafted, kind 506 00:25:52,960 --> 00:25:55,639 Speaker 1: of like he was coming out of high school. But 507 00:25:55,840 --> 00:25:57,919 Speaker 1: looks like he's got a good chance to even make 508 00:25:57,960 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 1: the kick the three man roster as an undrafted free 509 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:02,600 Speaker 1: So I'd say we hit on all those guys that 510 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:08,840 Speaker 1: Isaiah was just again a classic example of you know, 511 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:10,840 Speaker 1: if you fill up with a bunch of tenth graders, 512 00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:12,600 Speaker 1: well you don't have any room to take a guy 513 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 1: like Isaiah as a senior, you know. And so that's 514 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:18,480 Speaker 1: why my philosophy here at Clemston is we're not offering 515 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 1: freshman and sophomores, you know, unless unless I know them, 516 00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:26,160 Speaker 1: they've been here, you know, because that's a good way 517 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:30,280 Speaker 1: to to to go out of business quick, because you know, 518 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:32,320 Speaker 1: you go miss out on some good players that that 519 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:35,400 Speaker 1: develop in high school. And you got some some young 520 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:38,080 Speaker 1: guys that are great players as tenth graders and you 521 00:26:38,119 --> 00:26:40,280 Speaker 1: know what their max out, and as a senior, they're 522 00:26:40,280 --> 00:26:42,119 Speaker 1: not there. You wouldn't offer them as a senior, but 523 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:45,120 Speaker 1: you're already committed to them as a tenth grader. So 524 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:47,600 Speaker 1: that's just kind of been how we've gone about it. 525 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:50,920 Speaker 1: And Isaiah is a great example every year for who 526 00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:54,480 Speaker 1: our staff. And so I'm just really you know, Travis 527 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:56,840 Speaker 1: Etian is another one. Travis. I never met Travis for 528 00:26:56,880 --> 00:26:59,880 Speaker 1: a December of the senior year, you know, and same thing. 529 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,760 Speaker 1: He wasn't He wasn't some highly recruited tenth grader or 530 00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:06,560 Speaker 1: eleventh grader. You know, he was in an option offense 531 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:09,320 Speaker 1: and and just kind of kept blooming, you know, just 532 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:11,920 Speaker 1: kept blossoming. Next thing, you know, he's got all kind 533 00:27:11,920 --> 00:27:15,160 Speaker 1: of offers everywhere, and the rest is history. H So 534 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:18,800 Speaker 1: that's that's kind of the backstory there on Isaiah and 535 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:22,040 Speaker 1: then new Copkins, who's there with you, you know, I 536 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 1: we still to this day, there's there's three guys in 537 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:30,159 Speaker 1: the NFL from from this Little Daniel High School right 538 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:32,840 Speaker 1: here in Clemson, South Carolina. You know, I watched new 539 00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:37,920 Speaker 1: Copkins played teewee ball, middle school ball, high school ball, 540 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:41,040 Speaker 1: and he was the best athlete anywhere he was. He 541 00:27:41,119 --> 00:27:45,840 Speaker 1: was a legend around here, you know, and uh he 542 00:27:45,920 --> 00:27:49,400 Speaker 1: did it all. He was an unbelievable basketball player, unbelievable safety, 543 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:54,280 Speaker 1: unbelievable receiver, just everything he did. And uh so, you know, 544 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:56,119 Speaker 1: we kind of had the insight track. Not a highly 545 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:58,760 Speaker 1: recruited guy at all. A lot of people didn't offer 546 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:01,639 Speaker 1: him because he didn't have you know, great times, you know, 547 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 1: coming out of high school. But again, kid never really 548 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:06,720 Speaker 1: had learned how to run as far as for times 549 00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:09,800 Speaker 1: and things like that, and you know it was undersize. 550 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:13,960 Speaker 1: Came here about one eight, he left here about two ten, 551 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:17,119 Speaker 1: two twelve, and I'd say he's had a pretty good career. 552 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 1: So he was a local kid that we had a 553 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 1: lot of inside information on great stuff. Dabo. I know, 554 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:27,560 Speaker 1: you got to run. Really appreciate the time. Man look 555 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:29,719 Speaker 1: forward to Senion person in Atlanta for the Chick fil 556 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:32,639 Speaker 1: A kickoff game and best of luck this season. You 557 00:28:32,760 --> 00:28:34,720 Speaker 1: got it. They see you. So all right, thanks Debo. 558 00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:42,080 Speaker 1: Well you can imagine what our production meetings are like 559 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:44,520 Speaker 1: with Debo. It's great though. He tells you everything. He 560 00:28:44,560 --> 00:28:49,120 Speaker 1: spends so much time, gives you so much detail on players, 561 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:51,720 Speaker 1: and you can just sense his love for his former players. 562 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 1: And they've done a fabulous job of finding guys like 563 00:28:55,920 --> 00:28:59,880 Speaker 1: Isaiah Simmons and then DeAndre Hopkins, who was a local kid, 564 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:04,560 Speaker 1: not highly recruited, but somebody that the Clemson staff, including Dabo, 565 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:07,800 Speaker 1: had monitored, even going back to middle school. What a 566 00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 1: great success story DeAndre Hopkins, Isaiah Simmons, and Dabo Sweeney 567 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:16,120 Speaker 1: and Clemson football in general. We are presented by bet MGM, 568 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 1: the official sports betting partner of the Arizona Cardinals, and 569 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:23,120 Speaker 1: by Hila River Hotels and Casinos. You can follow us 570 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:27,200 Speaker 1: on Twitter at pash pod. Also go to your podcast platform. 571 00:29:27,560 --> 00:29:30,080 Speaker 1: Tell us what you think, whether you like us, whether 572 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:32,240 Speaker 1: you think we stink. We'd love to hear from you. 573 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 1: If you have any thoughts on future guests. We do 574 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:39,080 Speaker 1: have Charles Davis, CBS broadcaster and ESPN NFL analyst Marcus 575 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 1: Spears coming up, but if there's anybody else you want 576 00:29:41,440 --> 00:29:44,040 Speaker 1: to hear from, let us know what you think. Thanks 577 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:46,640 Speaker 1: again to Clemson head coach Dabo Sweeney. I'm Dave Pash. 578 00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:49,200 Speaker 1: Thanks to you for listening to another edition of the 579 00:29:49,280 --> 00:30:00,280 Speaker 1: Dave Pash Podcast.