Clemson terminates head coach Bowden

From NCAA College Football Information & Resource

October 13, 2008

The struggling Clemson Tigers, who opened the season with a no.9 ranking and was considered as the favorites to win the ACC, will be undergoing a mid-season rebuilding following the departure of head coach Tommy Bowden.

Bowden, on his 10th year as the Tigers' head coach, has severed ties with the university after Clemson failed to live up to expectations with losses to No.24 Alabama in the opening day, to Maryland, and lately, to no.21 Wake Forest. Bowden met with athletic director Terry Don Phillips Monday when both agreed to part ways.

"Terry Don Phillips approached me this morning and we agreed that this is the best solution for the direction of the program," said Bowden. "Clemson has been very good to me and my family. Both of our children are Clemson graduates. I appreciate the opportunity Clemson University gave me and the support of the administration while I was here. I also want to thank all the players and coaches who worked so hard for this program the last 10 years. I wish Clemson University nothing but the best in the future."

The 54-year old Bowden was signed an extension this year after leading his team to a Peach Bowl berth last season which the Tigers lost to Auburn, 23-20. Bowden's new contract was slated to expire in 2014 and as stated in the contract, the school will have to pay him $4 million if he was fired.

In the 117 games he has coached with the team, Bowden has an overall record of 72-45 and has not lost a season with a third-place ranking in terms of career wins in school history.

On the downside, Bowden has never won the ACC Championship at Clemson. He came close in 2000 when the Tigers went 8-0 only to lose the final four assignments.

Receivers coach Dabo Swinney will step in for Bowden as the interim head coach. Swinney (pronounced DA-boh SWEE-nee) has also decided to let go of offensive coordinator Bob Spence.

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