Who Will Be The Top Dog At Mississippi State

Whoever gets the gig in Starkville, it's going to be a tough job to replace Slyvester Croom. Say what you want about his won-loss record (21-38) but he inherited a program coming off 3 straight losing seasons, wounded by NCAA probation and at the bottom of the SEC. All he did was stay the course, return respectability to the Bulldog program and lead them to a bowl game in 2007. 2008 was a huge disappointment yes but hadn't Croom earned a pass, I guess not so he resigned.

So the powers that be at Mississippi State are looking for a new head coach. Don't look for any hot commodities to come knocking at the door. Yes it's an SEC head coaching job but Mississippi State is tough place to win consistently. Recruiting is hard, their are a limited in-state recruits and what little quality high school football players there are divided with Ole Miss and Southern Miss.

Mississippi State would be though a perfect place for a former head coach to rehabilitate their career which is why it wouldn't be surprising if athletic director Greg Byrne contacted Tommy Bowden. Bowden's tenure at Clemson ended badly but he did put together consistent winning seasons, just no championships. This would be a good opportunity for Bowden to get back on his feet.

Other names are starting to surface as possibilities on Greg Byrne's short list. Tommy Bowden has been mentioned. A Memphis TV station reported that Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley was the expected choice for the job. According to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger Dooley has yet to be contacted.

Other names reportedly on Mississippi State's wish list include University of Buffalo head coach Turner Gill, East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz and Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.

Boise State head coach Chris Peterson worked with Greg Byrne years ago at Oregon and the 2 are good friends but it doesn't appear Peterson will pack his bags and leave Boise for Starkville.

Peterson told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger: "Greg and I have been friends for a long time. We talk often. He knows how happy we are at Boise and that's where we're going to be." Peterson said.

I guess Bulldog fans can cross Peterson off the list.

Terry Bowden Says Tommy Bowden Deserved To Be Fired

Terry Bowden in his blog on Yahoo Sports.com expressed his opinion on the fate of the brother, Tommy Bowden at Clemson.

So, did Tommy Bowden deserve what happened to him Monday?
Unfortunately, yes.
He deserved it because he, of all people, knew what to expect when he got into this business. We grew up in it.
He knew what to expect when he went to Clemson. He knew that no matter where you go, there is an expectation of success that must be met. After nine years at Clemson, he knew exactly what those expectations were and he knew they had not been met.
Clemson expects to win the conference championship once in a while – and they should. After 10 years of falling short, they deserve the right to try to find a coach they believe can get them there.

Terry Bowden makes some good points. I think the conversation will be very interesting at the next Bowden family get together.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Bowden Press Conference Highlights

((HT: WIS-TV in Columbia))



And your standard fan reaction piece to go along with it...

Tommy Bowden Gone At Clemson

Tommy Bowden has stepped down as Clemson head coach.

According to clemsontigers.com, Bowden and Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips agreed that Bowden would no longer be the head coach.

Quoting clemsontigers.com, "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."

As reported earlier, Bowden's contract states that if he's fired before December 1st, the school owes him $4 million to be paid semi-annually through the length of the deal.

Bowden leaves Clemson with 72 wins, 3rd most in school history but he never won an ACC Championship during his tenure.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

BREAKING NEWS: Bowden Fired At Clemson

Tommy Bowden has been fired as Clemson head coach. Sources have told OSG their will be a press conference at 5pm EST but that has not been confirmed.

Bowden's contract states that if he's fired before December 1st, the school owes him $4 million to be paid semi-annually through the length of the deal.

Sources also tell us that Dabo Swinney will take over as interim head coach.

More details to come.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

QB Shuffle At Clemson

Through rumors have been flying about the employment status of Tommy Bowden he remains the head coach at Clemson but the Tigers are a desperate team right now and they are making a change at quarterback. Bowden announced that red-shirt Willy Korn will start next week against Georgia Tech. Cullen Harper, the incumbent and the pre-season ACC player of the year has not been as productive this season.

"We need to find a spark offensively," Bowden said. "With the injuries we have on that side of the ball, we need to reevaluate our plan. A more mobile quarterback gives us more options."

Bowden said that no one from the Clemson administration had talked to him about making any changes.

Willy Korn Photo Courtesy: clemsontigers.com