A week after his unit gave up an NCAA bowl-record 70 points against West Virginia, Clemson University defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has been fired.
Errr … sorry. He has accepted an invitation to “explore other opportunities.”
“I have had a great experience at Clemson and feel good about what we have accomplished the last three years,” Steele said. “But, there are some other coaching opportunities I wish to pursue at this time.”
The former Nebraska and Carolina Panthers’ coach had some success at Clemson during his first two years – with the Tigers ranking among the nation’s Top 25 squads in scoring defense and total defense in 2009 and 2010. This year the wheels fell off, though, as Clemson gave up nearly thirty points and close to 400 yards per game.
“Although we were inconsistent at times with a young defense this year, overall we have been one of the best defenses in the country the last three years under his direction,” head coach Dabo Swinney said. “I thank him for his hard work and dedication to our program and wish him nothing but the best.”
Clemson – which began the 2011 season to little fanfare – raced to an 8-0 record and a No. 5 national ranking, only to lose four of its last six games.
The Tigers still won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, whatever that’s worth.
Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
UPDATE: West Virginia just scored again …
By jeffy01 January 13, 2012 at 9:00 am
no way….I never saw this coming. He owned Wake!
By Tom January 13, 2012 at 9:13 am
In hindsight, the Maryland game was the start of the end for Steele. The Terps somehow figured out his defense and from that point on every CU victory, save the ACC Championship, was the result of the CU offense being able to survive a “Shootout.”
By keeping 'em honest January 13, 2012 at 9:24 am
somewhere I read he could receive a $1.2 MILLION dollar payout if Clemson fired him…but no one is saying exactly how he left. Hate to admit it, but a little of my money goes to Clemson with one of my kids and it galls me to think Steele may have been rewarded.
Come on Fits, do some digging and see if they had to pay him to go.
After the lopsided WV and USC games and the other near misses over the season, Clemson should be suing Steele for Coaching Malpractice (and should demand some repayment from Dabo of his bonuses).
By CNSYD January 13, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Coaching salaries ae NOT paid for with taxes or tutuion. Athletic programs are “auxiliary” enterprises that pay their own way. So how did your money, unless it was for ticket purchases go toward his salary?
By keeping 'em honest January 13, 2012 at 4:13 pm
It galls me because I have to cheer for them when they aren’t playing my other two teams! I just hate to see incompetence rewarded for that high of a price.
Actually turns out he walks away with 1.35 Million.
Hey, Dabo…I can’t coach either but I’ll let you fire me!
By A face in the crowd January 13, 2012 at 10:25 am
Last year Napier, this year Steele. Is Vegas putting out any odds on who will take the fall for the annual collapse next year?
By jeffy01 January 13, 2012 at 10:35 am
Dorkbo is next in line for the fall. “Rah rah rah….hey kids Im a cheerleader”
By same ol' same ol' January 13, 2012 at 10:55 am
Which Jr. High is he going to?
Shit, for 1.2 I think I’d just sit on my fat lazy ass for a while, no rush.
By CNSYD January 14, 2012 at 9:41 am
Which high school was the new USCe LB coach hired from? Something chickens never learn is not to throw rocks from the porch of their glass house.
By OhNoNotAgain January 13, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Steele’s salary was $760,000 a year, and it was multi-year So the big payout isn’t much of a surprise.
Just an unfortunate result of bad policy.
By jeffy01 January 13, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Athletic programs are average enterprises at the upstate agricultural school/sports waste land. West Virginia just scored again!
By CNSYD January 13, 2012 at 9:29 pm
The Orange Bowl check cashed just fine. BCS bowls pay handsomely.
By Orangeblood January 14, 2012 at 12:25 am
Of course SCAR wouldn’t know that, they’ve never played in one.
By Steve V January 14, 2012 at 1:23 pm
. SEC shares revenue, so Carolina does get bcs money and has for years. I would imagine even with all the revenue sharing that carolina has made more from two sec treams being in bcs bowls every year than the one paycheck clemson got this year. Just think how much it will be if they remove the two team maximum from a conference playing in bcs bowls. Does steele’s buyout come out of that check? If I were the orange bowl I would put a stop payment on it since Clemson didn’t really bother to show up.
By CNSYD January 14, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Steve V, news flash for you. VT was in the Sugar Bowl so, once again, your “math is wrong”.
By Steve V January 16, 2012 at 1:54 pm
CNSYD, yes moron,VT was in sugar bowl. I don’t know if the ACC shares revenue. If they do, VT is getting screwed. If not, it has nothing to do with your argument. Just give it up dude. Your team sucks. You REACH so much when u try to defend them.
By orangeblood January 13, 2012 at 3:28 pm
At least Clemson didn’t wait until they had a 0-22-0 record to make a correction.
By BigT January 14, 2012 at 11:15 am
Be careful what you claim….it just might come back to bite you in the @$$…TeeHeeHee…
By BigT January 14, 2012 at 10:37 am
Dabo said he did not Fire Steele…
And Dabo Attacked a Reporter Friday for asking why Cllemson is so soft, physically…
And this is just the Beginning…
A sorry-@$$#d VT team allowed Dabo to avoid the Truth about that pathetic Program…
bujt 2012 will be FUN if you know Clemson like I know them, and want to see them shattered…as I do…
Get the popcorn guys…..The show is about to begin…HaHaHa..
By buckwheat II January 14, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Be afraid, be very afraid dirt peckers, probation time is near….
By Renaldo January 17, 2012 at 2:51 pm
CNSYD, congrats on the big Orange Bowl windfall. I’m sure writing that check was a painful experience for someone, but what should they expect when they’re forced to take an the ASheShe Champs and the Big Least Champs (unless one of those schools plays for the National Championship, which ain’t going to happen). But let me ask you this — would you rather cash that check once every twenty years or cash a check for a split of the SEC booty EVERY year? Even a Tater should know the answer to that ….