I Was Hoping That Clemson Stayed With DJ
- Thread starter gkss
- Start date
Mack's own fault. Stated after the game they didn't prepare for Cade since they had stuck with DJ this long. Even after Dabo clearly stated earlier in the week that DJ was on a short leash if he didn't come out sharp. But it really didn't matter. They would have one as big, but still would have won leaving DJ in. They totally dominated the game up front on both sides of the ball.
I would bet that Dabo had the epiphany that a bunch of Clemson boosters advised that he must see or perhaps even he could face some severe consequences. It's touching that Dabo's heart bleeds when a kid as decent as DJ does not pan out as all scouts assumed he would when he was in HS. But any coach who holds back the team just to keep such a player in the starting line up is harming the entire program. And it does not matter even if Dabo truly believed that if DJ got to keep the job, eventually he magically would blossom as the next Clemson star QB. Dabo's job requires him seeing reality.
The Clemson offense with a top passing QB in 2021 would have improved enough so that the Tigers would have won the ACC and perhaps been in the playoffs with no more than 1 loss. This year, Notre Dame took full advantage of a Clemson offense that was 1 dimensional. Then SoCar did the same. With Klubnik at QB, Clemson could have won both of those games. If Dabo had done his job fully this year, Clemson would be seeded #2 in the playoffs. Instead, Clemson has to deal with a SoCar program that now is bursting with energy and donations thanks to a huge win over the Tigers.
Dabo isn't in the same position as most coaches. There are a few in this country who answer to nobody, and don't have to be worried about the big donors bring coaches. Dabo is one of that select few. He made Clemson relevant again. Brought them back to elite level with 2 national championships. Makes 10 mil a year. One day they will be naming streets and buildings after him at Clemson. But hanging on to the older QB too long is a habit that has gotten Dabo in trouble. He hung on to DJ too long this year and may have cost himself a playoff spot. He hung on to Kelly to long when Lawrence came along and could have used those four games for experience. And a long time ago, he tried to hang on to Stoudt too long when Watson came in, and probably blew a game in Athens by not going with Watson. But especially with QBs, Dabo is loyal to a fault. Appreciate that on some level, buy it bites you from time to time. But to think that anybody at Clemson has the power to pressure Dabo about anything is pure folly.
I respect the take, but DJ had every opportunity to succeed and keep the reins. But for whatever reason, he didn’t play at a consistent high level.
I think his confidence was pretty much at zero by the end of the year. That certainly didn't help. Saw he put his name in the portal, so he'll get a fresh start somewhere else.
Listening to Mack after the game it’s almost like he didn’t expect Clemson to change quarterbacks. I mean my God you knew they would have to change. Dabo just waited too long to make the change should have several games earlier. If he actually thought DJ would play the whole game then there’s a prob right there. Only way that happens is if we make him look like an all star. Come on Mack
THAT'S right! I live here in CLemson. I should have remembered that. It was a home game and one of the few that I thought might be close. It was awesome to see them crying after losing to USC. Glad that winning streak ended.
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