The Clemson Dubcast

On May 3, WYFF News 4 Sports Director Marc Whiteman shared this on social media: Been pretty low key on social media and at work lately, and I’m ready to share some news. Liam Finn Whiteman was born at just 28 weeks old last weekend at 3 lbs and 12 ounces. Earlier in the week, Mary and I were rushed to the hospital under the threat of preterm labor, and a little less than 72 hours later, Liam was here. We didn’t have his name picked out. We thought we had more time. But as it became apparent that he was coming, sooner than expected, we realized it was always Liam. In Irish, Liam points to a “strong-willed warrior.” In Hebrew, a “determined guardian.” We knew whatever was coming, he’d need to be both of those things. He is already so much more. We’re anxious to get our little guy home from the NICU, and are so confident in the incredible team of doctors, nurses and caregivers at Prisma looking after him. Progress isn’t always linear, but we’re incredibly encouraged by his growth so far. He’s a tough little nugget. Mary and I already love him so much more than we could even fathom, and are so eager to watch him get a little bit bigger, stronger and healthier each and every day. We’re so thankful for the village we have around us. Our family, friends and incredible co-workers have picked us up and looked after us as we grapple with each day. They’ve dropped what they were doing, rearranged their lives, and come to our side. We’re looking forward to repaying that kindness in the future, and showering our baby boy with all the love in the universe when he comes home. After 67 days in the hospital, Liam finally came home in late summer. He is now more than sixth months old. Marc joins the podcast to share their story.

In 2006, Patricia Watkins thought her son was going to play college football for the Florida Gators. She had never even heard of Clemson when CJ Spiller traveled for a visit there that changed his life, and their lives. Last week, Watkins was a part of Spiller's entourage on the field at Death Valley when he was inducted into Clemson's Ring of Honor. It brought tears to her eyes because the first thing she thought of was when CJ tried to join a youth football team as a 6-year-old and was told he was too young (he spent that season as the water boy instead). CJ bawled his eyes out that day when told he couldn't play. He was crying again last Saturday, but they were tears of joy and gratitude. Watkins joins The Dubcast to reflect on the journey since Spiller's recruitment when she first heard the name Dabo Swinney. Swinney, then the receivers coach, was the key figure in convincing Spiller that Clemson was the place for him. And then a year later, Swinney was again the catalyst in convincing Spiller to remain at Clemson after he'd made up his mind he was going back home and transferring to Florida to join Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin. The mother of the most important recruit in Clemson football history opens up about her story, and their story.

David Hale of ESPN has a fascinating, tumultuous relationship with Dabo Swinney dating back nine years when Swinney's nuclear response to a Hale question about "Clemsoning" went viral. Hale joins the podcast to share what that relationship has been like in recent years as he communicates with Swinney both in press conferences and in more informal settings. In a transformative time for college athletics, Hale has visited with numerous athletics directors to try to get a sense of how they might adjust to the advent of revenue sharing with athletes. Is it naive to think a more regulated, policed NIL is actually going to work? And what of the ACC as its profile falls even further behind in the shadow of an expanded SEC and Big Ten? What's the best move for Clemson and Florida State? Stay in the ACC in exchange for more money and a reduced Grant of Rights agreement? Or continue fighting like hell to get out because they can't afford falling into obscurity over the next 5-6 seasons? Lots of questions and few concrete answers. But Hale possesses a smarter and more informed grasp of the big picture than most anyone out there.

Mickey Plyler, a Clemson-area sports-radio institution, rejoins The Dubcast to talk football ... and the current political-football fiasco taking place in Clemson. Plyler turns the tables on the interview and asks his own questions about: -- Seneca Journal publisher Jerry Edwards using shady tactics to try to influence the Clemson mayoral and city-council elections; -- The publisher joining forces with a current Clemson mayoral candidate (and sitting council member) to fabricate a gender war between the men and women on Clemson's city council, in addition to alleging that the mayor and other council members pocketed money from developers; -- The idea that growth has been bad for Clemson, and criticisms that said growth has turned Clemson "into another Atlanta, Chicago or Detroit" as some in the anti-development faction have alleged. In the second half of the interview, we try to wrap our arms around how quickly the perception of Clemson football changed over the past two games after a debilitating loss at Georgia was (incorrectly) said to inflict long-range repercussions. Plyler also shares some deeply personal and meaningful revelations he experienced recently when he observed his 5-year-old son experiencing the wonder of a Clemson game at Death Valley.

Earlier this summer we sat down with Brad Brownell for an interview that lasted more than two hours. The full Q&A was published at Tigerillustrated.com in June. Last week was Part 1, and now we present Part 2 of a conversation that touched on a number of topics including Clemson's stirring run to the Elite Eight in last season's NCAA Tournament.

Earlier this summer we sat down with Brad Brownell for an interview that lasted more than two hours. The full Q&A was published at Tigerillustrated.com in June. We now present the full audio of that conversation that touched on a number of topics including Clemson's stirring run to the Elite Eight in last season's NCAA Tournament. Part 2 of the interview will be published next week.

Three years ago, Jon Blau left Bloomington, Ind., and found himself in a strange new world of big-time college football after he took over as the Clemson beat writer for The Post and Courier of Charleston. Jon has fashioned a reputation as an excellent storyteller during his stint, uncovering angles and depth that others don't see. He joins the podcast to reflect on his job and how he does it, including the balance between spending too much and too little time on social media. With Clemson opening the 2024 season against Georgia, Jon says this game and this season is a critical juncture for Dabo Swinney's program as it tries to get back to breathing elite air after a three-year absence.

Brad Scott has retired from football and is now back in Clemson enjoying the grandad and golf life. Jeff Scott is fully immersed in his custom homebuilding business and out of football for a second consecutive season. In other words, father and son have time to sit back and tell stories from their decades in college football that included epic runs at Clemson and Florida State. Brad remembers going out to dinner with Dabo Swinney in Clemson when Swinney was interviewing with Tommy Bowden for a job coaching receivers in the spring of 2003. When Swinney landed a blockbuster recruiting class in 2011 after a 6-7 season, Brad was the major figure in the signings of Sammy Watkins, Martavis Bryant and Mike Bellamy. He remembers the NCAA coming to campus to ask him questions after people wondered how Clemson could sign so many high-profile players after a disappointing season. Brad also shares a story from 1986 when he was on Bobby Bowden's staff at FSU and Bowden called. "Brad, I'm going to Alabama and taking you with me," Bobby told him over the phone. Bowden ended up backing out of the job after accepting it. Jeff shares a recollection from 1998, three days after South Carolina fired his father as head coach. Tommy Bowden had taken over at Clemson and offered Brad a spot as tight ends coach. Brad took the job, and soon thereafter Jeff was wearing a Clemson cap when he ran into former Gamecock quarterback Steve Taneyhill. Taneyhill thought Jeff was just bitter and wearing the hat out of spite. "Steve," Jeff told him. "We're really going to Clemson. My dad just got a job coaching tight ends."

Under Gary Stokan's leadership and vision, Peach Bowl Inc. events have generated an economic impact of $1.27 billion and $76.74 million in direct government tax revenue for the city of Atlanta and state of Georgia since 199. Stokan was also a key driver of relocating the College Football Hall of Fame to Atlanta. Once upon a time in the early 1980s, Stokan was a late-20s sneaker rep for Adidas and thought he had Michael Jordan locked up for a shoe deal. Nike swooshed in and gave MJ a deal he couldn't refuse, and Stokan still views it as the biggest disappointment of his business career even though he managed to lock up Herschel Walker and Mike Krzyzewski during the same time period. Stokan joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming matchup between Clemson and Georgia in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta. Sixteen years ago, Clemson played in the inaugural game when it faced second-year Alabama coach Nick Saban. Stokan says both the Bulldogs and Tigers have sold out their ticket allotments, and he anticipates a crowd split of close to 50/50 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 31. We also share Cade Klubnik's Aug. 12 press conference where he shared his insight into the progress shown by Clemson's offense thus far during camp.

With Kirby Smart and his program facing repeated off-field-incidents, the latest the arrest of receiver RaRa Thomas and his subsequent dismissal from the team, what's the common view of Smart and his culture from typical Georgia fans? Is it fair to say he and his program have a character problem? What of Dabo Swinney, and the view of him from Bulldogs people? Is there a belief in Athens that Clemson is a legitimate threat to beat Georgia in the Aug. 31 opener? Young, who has three different jobs -- one at the UGA Rivals site, the other teaching at UGA's college of journalism, and the other in public relations -- is well positioned to give an answer to those questions and many others. Young is also a weekly guest on Mickey Plyler's morning radio show at WCCP-FM.

In our final installment of the full, uncut media sit-downs recently conducted by Clemson's assistant football coaches, we present Kyle Richardson and Mickey Conn. Richardson is in his third season coaching the Tigers' tight ends, and he has a potential star in Jake Briningstool. Conn, who is in his eighth year coaching safeties while also holding the co-defensive coordinator title for a third season, reflects on the depth he has on the back end with RJ Mickens, Khalil Barnes and Tyler Venables ahead of a cluster of young players who should push for playing time. The Tigers began August camp Thursday. They open the 2024 season Aug. 31 against Georgia in Atlanta.

We continue with the uncut audio from the recent sit-downs with Clemson's football assistants. Tyler Grisham prepares for his fifth season in charge of Clemson's receivers after taking over for Jeff Scott in 2020. He sees big things out of this group if the receivers can stay healthy, something that's been a major obstacle in recent years. Mike Reed discusses replacing Nate Wiggins after a spectacular 2023 season from the cornerback. Avieon Terrell is expected to be an elite presence sooner rather than later as he enters his sophomore season. Jeadyn Lukus and Shelton Lewis could be in a fierce competition for the starting spot on the other side. And newcomers Tavoy Feagin and Corian Gipson are considered fast risers also. Reed has been at Clemson for 11 seasons. This past offseason he was in the mix to become head coach at his alma mater, Boston College, but the Eagles ended up hiring Bill O'Brien from Ohio State. Clemson begins August camp Thursday and opens the season Aug. 31 against Georgia in Atlanta.

We continue presenting the full, uncut audio from the recent interviews conducted of Clemson's assistant football coaches. Today C.J. Spiller reflects on his upcoming induction into Clemson's prestigious Ring of Honor, and also his assessment of the Tigers' situation at running back behind starter Phil Mafah. Nick Eason, back for his third season as defensive tackles coach, holds court and shares his thoughts on what should be a highly disruptive interior. He also gives his opinions on the current state of college football with the transfer portal and NIL. Clemson begins August camp a week from today. The Tigers open the season Aug. 31 against Georgia in Atlanta.

We present the full, uncut audio from the recent media sit-downs by Garrett Riley and Wes Goodwin. Riley discusses Year 2 in his role as offensive coordinator at Clemson after last year didn't go according to plan, with the offense frequently succumbing to self-impaling turnovers, erratic quarterback play, lack of cohesion at receiver and inconsistent offensive line play. Goodwin, who rebounded in 2023 after a difficult first season filling the shoes of Brent Venables, looks to have the defense at an elite level thanks largely to a defensive front that could rank among the nation's best. Clemson opens the season Aug. 31 against Georgia in Atlanta. The Tigers open preseason camp Aug. 1.

We present the full audio from the media's visit with Matt Luke and Chris Rumph last week. Dabo Swinney made a major splash last December -- one his skeptics didn't think he'd make -- by parting with Thomas Austin and Lemanski Hall. Much like with the Brandon Streeter-Garrett Riley transition, Swinney probably wasn't going to make a change if he couldn't land a big fish. Luke and Rumph qualified as big fish, and from all accounts they are bringing a different dynamic to the football building and practice fields with their authority, command and demand for physical and mental toughness.

With C.J. Spiller in the news recently upon the announcement of his induction into Clemson's Ring of Honor, we go back four years to an extended interview with the former superstar and current running backs coach. Back then, Spiller was preparing for his wedding. He had not yet joined Dabo Swinney's staff. He was a volunteer track coach at Liberty High School, trying to impart some of the lessons that helped made him a great football player and track athlete. In the course of this interview Spiller covered a number of topics, including the back of a business card that Swinney turned into a pseudo contract with Spiller to assure that he followed through on his commitment to Clemson in 2006 (Swinney was then Clemson's receivers coach). Spiller did follow through on the unconventional path to Clemson, and his decision could reasonably classified as the most important by a player in Clemson's football history. Because without him, it's hard to imagine Swinney later leading Clemson to prominence and dominance. This interview took place in late-April of 2020 after COVID had shut down just about everything. That summer, Spiller would join Swinney's staff as an intern. A year later he became running backs coach after Tony Elliott's departure for the head job at Virginia, and he is now preparing for his fourth season in charge of the position.

We travel back to late 2018 when Clemson was on a rampage to its second national title in three seasons. In the days before Clemson's rivalry game against South Carolina, we visited with Steve Spurrier for his recollections about his epic wars of words with Dabo Swinney when Spurrier was the Gamecocks' coach. As Spurrier crept closer to walking away from the game, and as he saw Swinney building Clemson into a powerhouse, the two became closer and Spurrier ended up inviting Dabo and wife Kathleen to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Late in 2018, Rinaldi traveled to Clemson for an in-depth ESPN story on the 10th anniversary of Swinney taking over as Clemson's head coach. As he said during this interview, the inspiration for his feature was a multi-part series Tigerillustrated.com reported on the same topic earlier that fall. The interview with Rinaldi took place as Clemson was preparing to face Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers went on to beat the Irish and Alabama by an aggregate 74-19 in the 2018 College Football Playoff.

Billy Donlon goes way back with Brad Brownell -- all the way back to when Brownell was an assistant at UNC-Wilmington and Donlon played for the school. Donlon later served as an assistant for Brownell when Brownell was head coach at UNC-W, and then he followed him to Wright State when Brownell got that job. After Brownell left for Clemson, Donlon took over for him at Wright State and lasted six seasons. Donlon has been Brownell's associate head coach for the past two seasons. He joins The Dubcast to reflect on the Tigers' stirring Elite Eight run and all the things that went into it. Donlon also goes deep on his life story: His grandparents came to America from Ireland, living in New York after entering via Ellis Island. Donlon's father was an assistant coach for Providence and played a major role in recruiting the team that went to the Final Four in 1987. He had left a year earlier to join Bill Foster at Northwestern. Donlon remembers growing up in the Chicago area when the Bulls were becoming transcendent with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and others. He routinely visited the Bulls' practice facility, and he recalls one day when Pippen and Horace Grant invited him to lunch. "I was three hours late coming home, and the cops were at my house when I got home because my mom didn't know where I was," he said.

In Part 2 of our lengthy interview with Thomas Austin, the former Clemson offensive line coach reflects on how he has transitioned from the non-stop grind of coaching. Having become strongly rooted in Clemson, he and his family are hoping to remain. "My oldest is 12, and he was on the sidelines when I was the coach. He's still processing it. He's pulling for baseball right now, and he loves Clemson Athletics. But the football side of it is complicated for him. "Our other children, we'll sit them down and say: 'We need to talk to you guys.' And they'll be like, 'Oh no, are we about to move?' And we'll say no, we're just going to the lake this weekend." "They're always worried that the next time we sit down to talk to them is going to be when they're told they have to leave all their friends. "So that's the human element of it. It's not just about me. It's about my wife and my family too. It affects a lot of people. But that's a part of the business." Austin also shares a classic story from his recruitment, when a first-year South Carolina coach named Steve Spurrier tried to pursue Austin but was told in no uncertain terms by Austin's mother that her son was going to Clemson.

When Dabo Swinney locked up the head-coaching job with a win over South Carolina in November of 2008, Thomas Austin was one of the players that carried him to midfield in the giddy celebration. Swinney fired Austin last December after a four-loss regular season. There are layers to this parting that aren't present in most other firings. Austin and his wife are both Clemson alums, and they have chosen to remain in Clemson because their children are in school. Austin, who coached offensive line for the Tigers, joins The Clemson Dubcast to reflect on what it was like to suddenly find himself without a job. He also gives an inside look into what it's like for an assistant coach to navigate the chaotic world of the transfer portal and NIL. This is Part 1 of our interview with Austin.