Bowden Announces Staff Responsibility Changes

March 4, 2004

Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden has announced staff coaching assignments for the 2004 season. All nine assistant coaches return from Clemson’s 9-4 2003 season that included a four-game winning streak to end the season and a top 25 final national ranking, but five of his assistants will have new duties in 2004.

Quarterbacks coach Mike O’Cain will remain the coach of the Tiger signal callers, but also will be the offensive coordinator. Brad Scott, who was the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2003, will remain the assistant head coach and will now coach the offensive line.

Ron West will move from the offensive line to the defensive line. Thielen Smith will move from the defensive line to the rover and whip linebackers, while Jack Hines will move from the whip and rover linebackers to the tight ends.

“Every year between the end of recruiting season and the beginning of Spring practice I evaluate all aspects of our program,” said Bowden, who will lead his team through the first workout of Spring practice on Saturday. “I look for ways to improve.

“When I approached coach Scott about coaching the offensive line he said it would make sense to let Mike (O’Cain) coordinate the offense because he was now going to be responsible for five positions instead of one. Last year, we set a school record for total offense in a season in which we returned just six starters. Obviously, Brad will continue to be significantly involved in our offensive plan.”

Scott has significant experience coaching the offensive line. He served in that capacity at Florida State from 1990-93. The Seminoles won the National Championship in 1993. Smith coached the linebackers at both Tulane and LSU during his career.

West served as the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Lafayette for seven years (1986-92) and also coached linebackers at Texas Tech in 1985. “When I was an assistant coach at Alabama and Auburn we faced Ron’s defenses at Louisiana Lafayette,” said Bowden. “He had Louisiana Lafayette ranked in the top 25 in total defense quite a bit. Even though we were playing at home, we always had a tough time against them.”

Clemson football staff for 2004 Tommy Bowden, head coachAssistant coaches David Blackwell, recruiting coordinator, linebackers Burton Burns, running backs Jack Hines, tight ends John Lovett, defensive coordinator, secondary Mike O’Cain, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks Brad Scott, assistant head coach, offensive line Thielen Smith, rover and whip linebackersDabo Swinney, wide receivers Ron West, defensive line