Johnson’s stock rising among Clemson fans

By Marc Hudgens  |   Sunday, October 05, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

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Regardless of what Clemson's Tommy Bowden says, Tigers fans aren't just disappointed in what appears to be yet another underachieving season shaping up under the longtime head coach's reign; rather, they’re either downright incensed or, worse, done with Clemson. This season, there has even been talk among fans about replacing Bowden.

There are a couple of candidates you’ll regularly find on almost everyone’s list; the likes of fiery Texas defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Will Muschamp and Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson are prominent. But with the Commodores’ 14-13 win Saturday night over No. 13 Auburn in Nashville, Johnson has likely jumped ahead of Muschamp on those lists. Probably by a lot, actually.

Vandy's most recent win speaks volumes; after all, the 5-0 Commodores beat the same team which knocked off Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl last season, 23-20. They also appear to be handling South Carolina a little better in the past two seasons than Clemson has. To win against those teams -- or any other in the SEC, for that matter -- requires both mental and physical toughness (Clemson hasn't had either under Bowden).

Vanderbilt's climb from the SEC cellar over the past few years isn’t the only attractive thing about Johnson. The others? He's Columbia, S.C., native, and was a Clemson cornerback in the early 1970s.

Though, as solid as Johnson is, there are a couple things working against him.

For one, Commodore fans have criticized Johnson for often being too conservative in the past. Conservative coaching can obviously be completely ineffective, but some coaches find ways to make it work. Perhaps Johnson is an example of the latter.

Moreover, Johnson hasn't yet led Vanderbilt to any sort of championship; thus, he's still somewhat unproven. Last time the Tigers hired a hyped but unproven coach was Bowden, who was previously at Tulane.

While it will appears odd to pen a Clemson column about another school’s coach, Johnson’s success is a hot topic among Tiger fans right now. And until Vanderbilt relives the past and begins its losing ways again, the Johnson topic won’t go away.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
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CommentsComments: 3  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
RazzMaTazz		03:14 PM
10/06/2008
And of course Johnson was the DC at Clemson. Nonetheless, I'd rather see Clemson hire a proven championship coach, like Chris ...
No.2
NB		02:44 PM
10/08/2008
I tend to agree with Razz on this one. Chris Peterson would be an awesome fit for a program like Clemson. His teams at Boise ...
No.3
NB		03:35 PM
10/08/2008
Wow!!! I have give Tommy Tuberville credit for having some BALLS! Tony Franklin, whom he hired as his OC before the Clemson ...
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