At least we aren’t the only ones with problems. Let’s look at what a Clemson and Florida State blog are writing about.
Swinney reportedly overrides Napier around 15-25 plays per game, primarily taking control in the red zone and during critical situations including calling almost all of the last 3 drives of the game against Maryland
On the final offensive play against Maryland, Billy Napier called a play and Dabo signaled in a different one. Unfortunately, Swinney forgot to change the protection scheme to match the new play and as a result a blitzing LB was given an unobstructed path to the QB. The play ultimately resulted in a sack and fumble and killed the Tigers chances of kicking a game tying FG.
Swinney, who Vic Koenning called “Goat Boy†for his tendency to offer players that were not Division I caliber, is also so motivated to prove that these players can play that Swinney will play them knowing that they do not give the team the best chance to win. Napier, who prefers running I-Formation and utilizing TEs which fit with Clemson’s strength, often clashes with Swinney who wants to run 3 and 4 WR sets in part to prove that the wide receivers that Swinney coached previously can actually play.
Napier didn’t attend the post game press conference following the Maryland Game due to his frustration at Swinney for killing the momentum and botching signals in crunch time and also to show that Swinney is the coach actually in charge of Clemson’s offense.
Clemson’s 2-3 record has Swinney panicking and riding the players and coaches extremely hard. Swinney’s temper got the better of him on a couple of occasions during last Wednesday’s practice, resulting in two face-to-face altercations with Napier. Coaches had to step-in and separate the parties prior to it escalating. Woody McCorvey recently was forced to step-in and council Swinney on controlling his temper.*
Under this scenario, Bowden would receive only the $1 Million bonus for the lifetime achievement (see linked article above). Since Bowden would not be allowed to make any personnel or other important decisions, he would obviously not be promoting Amato to replace Andrews as defensive coordinator.
On the other hand, Bowden has a lucrative deal available to him should he elect to simply walk away at season’s end. In addition to the $1 Million bonus, I believe the boosters will offer him as much as $3 Million in extra compensation, possibly more, for him to just go away. How much does Bowden really care about money?. How much does his family care about money? Some say a lot because he allegedly lost a good bit of money in his son’s felony investment scheme and allegedly lost some more in some condos gone bad along Florida’s Emerald Coast during the real estate crash. If his posturing is merely a money grab, he’ll take this option.
I am told that Bowden is digging in and is refusing either option. Obviously, his obstinacy is not making this situation easy. I told you this could get ugly.
So now we wait.
The major hangup is still Chuck Amato. Bowden’s loyalty is again causing him problems. It’s served him well at times throughout his carer. Here however, if he decides that his loyalty to Chuck Amato is more important to him than Florida State, his Florida State coaching career will be over. He wants to name Amato as the next defensive coordinator. Florida State simply will not allow that, barring an absolute disaster miracle. And this if Florida State’s administration.
