Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 25, 1993 TAG: 9311250304
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CLEMSON, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
\ Clemson coach Ken Hatfield resigned Wednesday, saying university officials gave him a clear signal they wanted him out by refusing to add a year to his contract for the second straight season.
Hatfield also lashed out at fans who stayed away from the Tigers' games despite the team's 8-3 record and likely trip to the Peach Bowl, saying they were disloyal.
The coach, with three years left on his contract, and the school agreed to a $600,000 buyout.
"I said, `If you do not renew the contract two years in a row, then obviously you do not want me there and it would be the best time for both of us to separate and go our own way.' That was clearly understood from our first meeting and it's clearly understood here today," Hatfield said.
The coach said he would not have felt comfortable beginning recruiting next week without being able to tell players he would be at the school for the next four years.
"I think continuity is the most important thing," Hatfield said. "If you're going to recruit at the highest level to try to win a national championship, you've got to have some assurance that you're going to be there."
The decision, which university officials said was mutual, came after a three-day review of a team that won four of the its last five games.
"The issue here was one of a different opinion," Clemson President Max Lennon said. "We deeply appreciate everything that he's done."
Neither Lennon nor athletics director Bobby Robinson would discuss specifics about their decision.
In four years at Clemson, Hatfield was 32-13-1. But he never could win over some fans angry that Clemson deposed popular coach Danny Ford, who had won a national title and four ACC championships.
During Ford's tenure, Clemson twice was placed on NCAA probation. Ford now coaches at Arkansas, where Hatfield coached before coming to Clemson.
Hatfield took over a team with a reputation for low academic standards and a desire to win at any cost.
He said Wednesday he had achieved his goals of recruiting players with "character, class and ability," and was proud that last spring the team's grades were at an 11-year high.
This year, however, fans were incensed that top-ranked Florida State beat the Tigers 57-0 and 13th-ranked North Carolina beat them 24-0. Radio talk shows bristled with angry fans who said Hatfield had to go after lightly regarded Wake Forest beat Clemson 20-16.
After the Wake Forest loss, Robinson and school vice president Nick Lomax met with Hatfield and said they were concerned with the program's direction.
Attendance at Memorial Stadium sagged, averaging 66,845, down from 76,789 last year. Robinson and Lomax began meeting with Hatfield again Sunday night, a day after the 24th-ranked Tigers beat cross-state rival South Carolina 16-13.
Hatfield said Clemson fans would have been happy only if he'd gone undefeated and won national championships for the past three years.
"There weren't a lot of folks going out there and supporting the team. That's what burned my butt, and it still does," Hatfield said, and then he tossed a barb at the no-shows.
"These players were yours and some of you deserted them in their time of need. Shame on you, wherever you are."
Hatfield will not coach in any postseason game. Robinson said he had candidates in mind to replace Hatfield, but would not say who or when Clemson might name a new coach.
"It's amazing. It is difficult for anyone on the outside to make an accurate comment because we don't know all the factors. But it appears from the outside there never was good chemistry," said Duke coach Barry Wilson.
Like Hatfield, Wilson had to follow a popular coach, Steve Spurrier, who left for Florida. Wilson, who is stepping down after four losing seasons, said Clemson fans can't afford to live in the past.
"There's not anything remotely close in today's football game that is the same even as it was 10 years ago much less 20 or 30 years ago. Maybe Clemson has enjoyed the time with Danny Ford but in the won-loss column, Ken obviously has done a good job," Wilson said.
Florida State coach Bobby Bowden called Hatfield "one of the good guys."
"You win eight games . . . with that record you should be OK," Bowden said. "There's a little bit too much pressure put on coaches in that regard."
The future of South Carolina coach Sparky Woods also remained in limbo. Woods met again Wednesday with athletic director Mike McGee to review the football program, athletic department spokesman Kerry Tharp said.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB