Offensive coordinators have Clemson running smoothly
Former WNMU QB will take over at Eastern NM
CLEMSON, S.C. — Don’t look for any drama to engulf Clemson’s offense with co-coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott running the show.
These smooth operators have been together since they were Tiger teammates, and they have history. In a joint effort some 15 years ago they kept one of Jeff’s dad’s Jet Skis from sinking at a lake outing.
“I want to say we got a rope caught up in the intake valve and it almost sunk,” Elliott said, smiling.
Elliott and Scott also have kept Clemson’s offense afloat since taking over two years ago from the Tigers’ frenetic coordinator Chad Morris, who brought in Clemson’s quick-strike, fast-pace attack until becoming SMU’s head coach after the 2014 season.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he had about “1,000 texts” from people telling him who he should hire. Instead, Swinney picked his guys.
“After all, I raised them,” Swinney quipped.
The partnership has worked extremely well these past two seasons considering Clemson is playing for the national championship for a second straight year. The third-ranked Tigers (13-1) get a rematch with defending champ No. 1 Alabama (14-0) on Monday night in Tampa, Florida.
Scott said he and Elliott work well together because neither one’s worried about the spotlight or grabbing credit.
“We don’t have one guy that’s up there, trying to get all the attention and be in the national news,” Scott said.
Alabama received lots of attention this week for its high-profile coordinator change on offense. Three-year Crimson Tide offensive guru Lane Kiffin left to start his new head coaching job at Florida Atlantic. Steve Sarkisian, like Kiffin a former Southern Cal head coach, will step in immediately instead of taking over coordinator duties next season.
EASTERN NM: Eastern New Mexico has promoted offensive coordinator Kelley Lee to be its next head football coach.
Lee played quarterback for Western New Mexico and was a three-sport standout (football, basketball, track & field) at Hot Springs High School.
President Steven Gamble told KENW-FM Lee will earn $94,000 for the one-year deal.
Lee replaces Josh Lynn who was hired this week as the coach at Nebraska-Kearney.
Eastern New Mexico had four straight winning seasons under Lynn. This past season the Greyhounds were 7-5 and led the Lone Star Conference in total offense.
BUFFALO: Willie Evans, the star black halfback of Buffalo’s 1958 team that balked at competing in the Tangerine Bowl because of a rule barring integrated football games, has died. He was 79.
Buffalo accepted a berth to play in the Tangerine Bowl before being informed the school district which operated the host stadium in Orlando, Fla., barred integrated games.
Buffalo’s roster featured two black players, Evans and defensive backup Mike Wilson. The school left the decision to compete up to its players, who unanimously rejected the invitation.
UCLA: UCLA has hired Michigan assistant Jedd Fisch as its new offensive coordinator.
Fisch spent the past two seasons as Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh’s passing game coordinator, quarterbacks coach and receivers coach.
TEXAS: New coach Tom Herman vigorously defended hiring former Ohio State assistant Tim Beck to be his offensive coordinator on Thursday, saying he was “surprised” by some of the social media criticism from Longhorns and Ohio State fans.
Herman said Beck was his primary target as offensive coordinator. The hire was announced this week after Ohio State lost 31-0 to Clemson.
“I was really surprised because it was very well known that Tim Beck didn’t call plays at Ohio State,” Herman said. “I think the negativity was misplaced on him.”
OKLAHOMA: Joe Mixon, the star Oklahoma running back who was suspended for the 2014 season after punching a woman in the face, will enter the NFL draft.
Mixon’s lawyers released video last month of him breaking Oklahoma student Amelia Molitor’s jaw and cheekbone in July 2014, and heavy criticism of Mixon and Sooners coach Bob Stoops followed.