Note: The following appears in the App State football gameday program.
It is not often that a college program adds a coach who has 25+ years of experience coaching at the high school, college and professional levels. Clemson did just that in Defensive Ends Coach Chris Rumph.
Once a linebacker at South Carolina, Rumph has experienced tremendous success in the coaching world. After coaching at many traditional powerhouses such as Alabama, Texas and Florida as well as some time in the NFL, Rumph decided to return to Clemson in December for his second stint with the program.
Rumph previously coached at Clemson as an assistant coach from 2006-10, a tenure that included Dabo Swinney’s promotion to head coach. Having coached with so many other teams, there is one thing about Clemson that stands out to Rumph.
“It’s simple…people. As you go around this game having been at different colleges and the NFL, you start to realize that the people make the place, and it’s not the place that makes you happy. It’s going to work with people you enjoy going to work with and celebrating with people you enjoy being around.”
One of those people who Rumph has a lot of respect for is Swinney, who is the second-winningest head coach in the country since the duo last worked together. Rumph is excited to join forces again.
“The thing that stands out to me about Coach Swinney is his consistency. A lot of people speak and talk a lot of messages, but he believes it, he walks it and he believes in everything he does. It’s the way he cares about people and what he’s trying to do and his heart for these kids to be not only football players, but successful men, fathers and husbands.”
Rumph has a similar outlook on his players on and off the field as well as with his coaching style. Coaching was not always in the picture for Rumph. After being convinced to help coach at the high school level, he quickly realized that was the path he wanted to pursue.
“The excitement is infectious. I knew this is what I wanted to do once I got around it, the guys, the kids and the energy. I wanted to impact people’s lives.”
From those days coaching at the high school level to now coaching at a premier program, the Palmetto State native has a specific attribute that he is looking for in his players.
“Toughness. If you’re not a tough person, you can’t play for me because life is tough. And you have to be prepared for all those moments in your life. You have to be able to be tough and handle the good as well as the bad and respond in the right way.”
Like Swinney, Rumph cares deeply about his players and wants to help develop them into successful men. When asked about the best advice he gives his players, Rumph shared the following.
“Everywhere in life, be on time, be where you’re supposed to be and do your best. That’s all I’m concerned with…to be where you’re supposed to be, be on time and do your best. If that’s at your son’s game, be where you’re supposed to be, be on time and be the best cheerleader out there. If it’s for a dance recital for your daughter, if it’s for work, if it’s for a cousin or friend, be where you’re supposed to be, be on time and do your best.”
Now returning to Clemson 14 years later fresh off four seasons coaching in the NFL, Rumph is back and eager to help the Tigers in their pursuit of more postseason glory.
A highly successful and sought-after coach at both the college and professional level, Rumph chose to return to Tigertown, showing his belief in the program. It is safe to say that Rumph is right on time, right where he is supposed to be.
