Monday March 12, 2007

Nappier; Swinney; Korn; NIT; Baseball

Nappier
Since the last blog several items concerning Clemson football have been pushed to the forefront but none more important than the appointment of a new recruiting coordinator. Billy Nappier takes David Blackwell's place as the recruiting coordinator for the Tigers. It was a move that I told you about on this blog and several times on the morning show but now that it has happened I can release some quotes on the subject.

Here is what a few close to the program are saying about the move:
"I took it as more of a compliment to Billy than a slap at Blackwell," said one assistant. "Billy works at it like no one I have ever seen. He is a recruiting Jesse now."

Another coach added, "It makes sense. David just started a family in the last year and Billy loves this recruiting deal."

Former Clemson running back coach Burton Burns told me in January, "Billy is something special. He is not just a recruiter. He is a very bright, young offensive mind. Billy gets it and it shows everyday. I have watched him a bunch at practice and he picks up on so many things. I think he has an unbelievable future. I think he is going to be a great offensive coordinator and a great head coach one day.

Finally, this great quote from a football office administrator, "Nappier is sick with this recruiting stuff. I have been around a bunch of great recruiters but this guy is different. He lives this stuff. All he ever does is work. He can't get enough of it. All he does is work, work, work.

Swinney
Speaking of changes, I also mentioned a few weeks ago that Dabo Swinney was in for a promotion and raise. Swinney actually is in line more promotions in the future. Several close to the staff have told me that Swinney could be the next offensive coordinator. Two very good sources have told me that Swinney would have been named the offensive coordinator if Rob Spence would have left for the Minnesota or Alabama jobs this year. You never know what the future holds but I do know that Bowden trusts Swinney and thinks he will be an excellent coordinator soon.

On the issue of trust, I think it says a lot that Bowden could appoint one person to represent the football staff on the committee that is reviewing the AARC and he chose Swinney. I also think it says a lot that Swinney has gained and will continue to gain the trust and admiration of the administration. In my opinion all of this adds up to Swinney advancing his career as a head coach in the future either at Clemson or elsewhere.

Presence
I was sick all weekend and did not get to attend football practice Saturday but talked to several people who did. Several said that physically you could not tell a different in all four quarterbacks but the biggest difference in the candidates was their presence.

I know I am biased and most who I spoke to are biased as well but they all agreed that Willy Korn has a presence about him. If all of the physical tools are close, I think Korn's leadership skills and toughness will prevail.

It would not surprise me if Korn is not the starting quarterback in the Florida State game and I would not be surprised if more than one quarterback played in the first couple of games. However, if Korn is not the starting quarterback at some point next season I would be very surprised.

Spring practice is usually a fairly boring deal but not this year. I can't wait to get out there and see Korn, Brian Linthicum, Xavier Dye, Landon Walker and DeAndre McDaniel.

NIT
Man it hurts to say the letters NIT. When you are 17-0 and highly ranked the National Invitational Tournament did not enter anyone's minds but that is our reality. I cannot get excited about the event but I will say that this year's tournament looks like the strongest one in years. When 25 of the 32 teams have won 20 or more games then you have a strong field. There appears to be some good basketball teams like Syracuse, Drexel, Florida State, NC State, West Virginia, Ole Miss and Mississippi State involved.

I keep telling myself that I have had it with Clemson basketball this year and the idea of going to Littlejohn to watch an NIT game is not the ideal situation. However, as much as I say I won't be there, you and I both know that is not true. Cliff Hammonds deserves our support. Trevor Booker's play in the ACC tournament is worthy of our effort. Coach Purnell is building something and needs your support so lets swallow our pride and get there Wednesday.

Baseball
I know I should not be overly concerned about the baseball team because they have started slow in recent years but I worry a little about this squad. I felt much better in December when I thought Sean Clark was coming back. I felt much more comfortable when Stan Widmann was off to his best start ever. I felt comfortable with the pitching depth before Stoneburner tore his ACL. I felt so much more comfortable when I thought Daniel Moskos was lights out as the closer.

It does not concern me that Andy D'Alessio got to slow start. He has done that in the past and hit 23 homers last season. It does not concern me that Taylor Harbin has been in a slump because he has done that before and fought back to put up big numbers. But I would feel better about the staff prior to the Sean Clark news, the Stoneburner ACL, the Thrailkill injury and the inconsistency in the closer.

The difference in this team and the one we thought we would get in the Fall is the difference in having Clark, Widmann, Stoneburner and Buddy Monroe.

Mickey's Blog also brought to you by:

864-834-6060

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency