1999 Clemson Football Outlook

Aug. 11, 1999

Playing football for Clemson is obviously a good preparation for young men who wish to make coaching a career. No less than 11 former Clemson gridders are currently college coaches. The list includes three former Tiger lettermen who will coach against Clemson this year.

The group is headed by Mike O’Cain, the head coach at NC State, who was Clemson’s team MVP in 1976. His Wolfpack defeated the Tigers last year 46-39 in one of the most exciting games in the history of Death Valley. When Clemson travels to Virginia Tech this year it will face two former Clemson players on the opposing sideline. Virginia Tech’s offensive coordinator is Ricky Bustle, who played for the Tigers from 1973-76. The Hokies wide receivers coach is Danny Pearman, a tight end for the Tigers from 1984-87.

The list does not include many former Tigers who are now high school coaches. Recent quarterbacks Louis Solomon (1992-95) and Richard Moncrief (1989-93) are currently high school coaches in New Jersey and Alabama, respectively. Jeff Cruce, who played for Clemson from 1981-84, coached 1999 signee Jerald Howard at Hanahan High.

Here is a list of former Tiger Football Players who are college coaches

 Name              at CU  Current School     Position Ricky Bustle     1973-76 Virginia Tech      Offensive Coordinator J.C. Harper      1985-88 McNeese State      Defensive Line Lawson Holland   1972-74 Florida            Wide Receivers Bobby Johnson    1970-72 Furman             Head Coach Chris Lancaster  1985-87 San Houston St.    Offensive line Kevin Mack       1980-83 Texas Southern     Running Back Arlington Nunn   1987-90 Stephen F. Austin  Secondary Mike O'Cain      1973-76 NC State           Head Coach Danny Pearman    1984-87 Virginia Tech      Wide Receivers Todd Schonhar    1985-88 Sam Houston St.    Wide Receivers Ron West         1977-78 Clemson            Offensive Line