In the spirit of Christmas, I guess you could say through the years I've been on the "naughty" list. What I mean is, I haven't always been the best fan I could be. Hear me out, and I apologize in advance for the length of this, but it needs to be said.
I was pumped when you took over the head coaching job in October 2008. That was my final semester at Clemson and the last thing I could stand to bear was a losing season after all the preseason hype. You opened practice up to students and I went. That was a pretty special moment during my time at Clemson. When you beat South Carolina, 31-14, I stood in Death Valley a winner for the final time as a student. I would graduate a few weeks later and my time at Clemson would come to a close.
In 2009, things were pretty good with CJ Spiller back. We won the Atlantic Division for the first time in school history. We struggled in the Palmetto Bowl, but hey, the Gamecocks have to win every once in a while, I reckon. Although we made it to the ACC Championship Game but didn't win the conference title, I could tell we were on the upswing.
Then 2010 happened. And I was pretty upset with you. It started in the summer when Kyle Parker was drafted by the Rockies, but chose to come back to Clemson so he could play football one final season. I wasn't on campus and I don't know anything that was said between you, Mr. Parker, and Tajh Boyd. But from afar, it felt like Parker's focus was on the dollar signs shoved in his face, while Boyd was going through voluntary workouts with our team.
We went 6-6 in the regular season with a few inexcusable losses (in my opinion). Maybe it was my orange-colored glasses, but six wins at Clemson shouldn't be a final tally. Six wins should be at the halfway point of the season, or thereabout.
I felt you were loyal to a fault with Parker. I watched the games - again, from afar. I wasn't at practice. I wasn't in the meeting rooms or film sessions or anywhere near the state of South Carolina for that matter. But it just didn't seem right that Parker continued to struggle, but retained his starting role.
Then, we lost to South Carolina in ugly fashion 29-7 at home. Then, we lost to South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Bleh. Memories I've tried to erase.
In 2011, we turned the tide with Boyd at quarterback. I caught myself once or twice thinking and blurting out on social media, "I told you so!" I couldn't believe what we witnessed in 2011. I point out the fact we had a new offensive genius at the helm along with Boyd, but I still believed we could have won eight or nine games at least in 2010 with Boyd behind center.
I've shouted. I've cursed. I've slammed my fist. My wife hasn't been too thrilled with me over the past several years. We started winning and that left a void of which I wanted more. Ten wins were great; 11 were even better. There was the first conference title in 20 years. There was getting blown out by the Orange Bowl. And there was exorcising those demons just two years later on the same field.
That leads us to now. Five straight 10-win seasons. An undefeated regular season for the first time since 1981. A division title for the third time in seven years under your leadership. A chance to win a second conference championship in the last five years. And a chance to play for college football's ultimate reward.
Regardless of what happens in Charlotte Saturday night, Dabo, you have taken Clemson football to heights I haven't had the pleasure of witnessing before. I'm 29 years old and didn't get to live through the glory years of the 1980s.
I thought reality was setting in during that 2010 season that I may never see championship football wearing a Tiger Paw. But I've realized, we are living the glory years. You have Clemson on an unprecedented run, one that I hope continues for a long, long time.
For doubting you and saying all the negative things I said when I had blinders on and couldn't see the future, I am sorry. Speaking of doubting, I doubt you'll ever read this or even hear of it, but I probably speak on behalf of a lot of Clemson fans out there with this apology. In fact, I know I do. After two-and-a-half seasons as head coach, I started believing Clemson made a mistake.
I was wrong. You are the right man for the job and I hope you stay at Clemson for as long as you want to coach. Win or lose, I appreciate the positive attitude you've brought day in and day out. I appreciate the attention you've brought to our university.
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| A kiss goodbye to Howard's Rock at my last game as a student in Death Valley. |
And I appreciate every day as a Clemson Alumnus more and more.
Sincerely,
Ben Whitehead
Class of '08
PS - Beat Carolina.
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