THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408240667
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CLEMSON, S.C. LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Tommy West was away only four years, but he barely recognized what once was the ACC's premier program when he returned as head coach last December.
As an assistant under former Clemson coach Danny Ford, West was on the sidelines in 1989 when the Tigers defeated Florida State, 34-23, in Tallahassee.
Last season, in Ken Hatfield's final season as Clemson coach, the Tigers lost in Tallahassee, 57-0.
``If anyone wants to compare us to where we were in '89, all you have to do is compare the scores of those games,'' West said. ``We are nowhere close to where we were in '89.''
That is as close as West, who replaced Hatfield last December in time to take the Tigers to a 14-13 Peach Bowl victory over Kentucky, will come to criticizing the program under Hatfield.
``I wasn't here the last four years, so I don't know what the problems were, or what went on, and I don't really care,'' West said.
Without question, though, West must know that Hatfield, who replaced the popular Ford, spent four uncomfortable years at Clemson, despite winning an ACC title and coaching the Tigers to three bowls.
Hatfield's style simply didn't fit at Clemson, and last year the school's once-faithful fans found other things to do on Saturday afternoons than follow the Tigers.
The ones that did show up in Memorial Stadium spent most of the time booing Hatfield.
``Coach Hatfield was a nice coach, but I don't think the fans would have accepted anyone who followed coach Ford,'' defensive end Wardell Rouse said.
Maybe not, but losing to Wake Forest in consecutive seasons and getting crushed by North Carolina and Florida State didn't help Hatfield, either.
``It all came apart when Wake Forest kicked our butts (in the middle of the season),'' punter Nelson Welch said. ``Our fans expect a lot more of us than that.''
A steady drop in attendance and IPTAY booster-club contributions finally convinced Clemson officials to buy out the remainder of Hatfield's contract.
West, who had finished his first head coaching season at Tennessee-Chattanooga, was a popular choice to replace Hatfield, especially since he came with an endorsement from Ford.
An assistant for eight years under Ford, West said he doesn't mind people constantly comparing him to his former boss. There are many similarities.
``I am tall, I come from the South, and I mumble a little,'' he said. ``I just hope I win as many games as Danny did here.''
A big difference, though, is that Ford inherited a program headed for a national championship.
West takes over a program that has not recruited well recently and no longer rules the ACC.
He begins the season with only one returning starter on the offensive line and with four true freshmen at the tailback position.
The defense, though, is experienced and capable of returning to the tough, smash-mouth style of play that characterized Ford's teams.
``This team already is better than the one I took to the Peach Bowl last year,'' West contended. ``We have improved in toughness, conditioning, and enthusiasm. You don't need talent or experience to excel at those things, either.''
The Tigers said they are working harder and enjoying the results more under West, a no-nonsense coach who believes you better be in the hospital if you are not on the practice field.
He has put his team through three-a-day drills to get ready for the season.
``Coach Hatfield was more of a players' coach,'' wide receiver Antwuan Wyatt said. ``He didn't stress toughness and discipline as much as coach West. But coach West wants to win, and he's going to make a man out of you. The three-a-days are tough, but we know it is making us better.''
How much better, not even West is willing to guess.
The schedule is not easy, with the Tigers going on the road to play the league's best teams: Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia.
``We could win every game or we could lose every game,'' West said with a shrug. ``If we lose them all, I won't be here talking to you next year.''
No one expects that to happen, though.
Clemson fans embraced West as he made a marathon 39 visits to IPTAY clubs over the summer.
``Everyone is excited and pumped up,'' a smiling West said. ``In that regard, it is just like I remembered it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Tommy West replaced Ken Hatfield last December.
by CNB