Dabo Swinney, Clemson coach, won’t let all of the questions about the Tigers change ruin his excitement to be back on the field.
Swinney stated that the team already has a great vibe, as Clemson continued spring drills on Friday.
Swinney, who is always positive, probably has more to do with it now that his team has brought in four new assistants. This includes Brandon Streeter and Wes Goodwin, first-time Clemson defense coordinators.
Goodwin and Mickey Conn, co-coordinator, take over from Brent Venables (longtime defensive icon), who left to become Oklahoma’s head coach.
Streeter is the quarterbacks coach for the team. He took over from Tony Elliott, Virginia’s play-caller.
Nick Eason was a former Clemson standout and was a first-team defensive tackle all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2002. He was hired as a coach after Todd Bates joined Venables’ staff with the Sooners.
Robbie Caldwell, longtime offensive line coach, has retired to an off field position with the Tigers. Thomas Austin, a former Clemson center was hired to replace Caldwell.
Kyle Richardson was appointed to coach tight ends. This is something Elliott did before moving to Virginia.
K.J., a Clemson defensive lineman, said that “We’ve enjoyed a great and uncommon stability here so it was shaken with Coach V leaving” Henry stated.
Swinney admitted that the changes had led to additional coaching sessions for coaches to prepare them for spring ball. The Tigers’ annual Orange and White game will be the end of their workouts.
Clemson’s second practice on Friday was a success.
Henry stated that it was fun to see Goodwin take over as the leader of a defense group that lost five linebackers and a secondary last December. The team opened with a win over Iowa State by 20-13.
Goodwin isn’t the loud, wild-man Venables was in the past 10 years. Henry stated that Goodwin is a smart coach, who can spot mistakes and place players in good positions so they can perform at their best.
Henry stated, “He’s doing all the right things in a right way.” Henry said, “He’s going be good for us.”
Jordan McFadden, offensive lineman, said that Austin, who was part Clemson’s team as an offensive analyst last year, has gained the trust and respect of his players in a position Hunter Rayburn, center Mason Trotter, had to give up football because of a neck injury, and Austin will miss most of the year due to an undisclosed issue.
Swinney would only say that Trotter’s issue is not a legal or university matter.
Streeter’s greatest concern is that starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei performs as he did at the beginning of last season. Swinney stated that Uiagalelei lost about 15 pounds and has recovered from a tendon injury to his index finger and the right knee ligament he sustained in November.
Swinney felt Uiagalelei was improving as the season progressed. The Tigers won eight of nine matches for their 11th consecutive season of winning 10 or more.
Uiagalelei was a popular pick for the Heisman trophy last season, but that push faded when he struggled early on and the Tigers lost the ACC/College Football Playoff race.
Swinney stated that national championship quarterbacks Deshaun Wilson and Trevor Lawrence also made mistakes, poor reads, and poor throws. Swinney stated that DJ’s mistakes were magnified. Swinney stated, “We were not as good around him than we were around the other dudes.”
Uiagalelei stated that he has improved his technique as well as his diet in order to help the Tigers achieve their championship goals. He described last season as one of his most difficult. He said, “But it’s actually a blessing in disguise.”
McFadden stated that players were disappointed to see an end to a six-year streak of CFP appearances and ACC titles. McFadden believes that the team is ready for a new run this season.
He said, “We want to give ourself a chance at winning those big games.” “Since last year we didn’t, it was a new feeling, one I didn’t like.”
