Ken Hatfield resigned because he was about to get fired after a year we went 9 wins - 3 losses and went to the Peach Bowl and won.
There was another time in Clemson history when fans and the administration were ticked off at head coaches for going 9 - 3 or even 10- 2. Clemson was expected to win the Conference every year and go to a New Years day bowl. Anything less was a bad season. A 10 - 2 season was barely tolerable. A 9 - 3 season was considered horrendous. Of course we got Tommy West after Hatfield left and the mediocre and less than mediocre seasons became the norm. We were begging for 9- 3 seasons for many years to come. Even under Tommy Bowden's tutelage we had years we didn't get 9 wins.
But yes we are in a state of decline for the last 2 years. I think the fans just want the truth. We're tired of all the lawyer talk. Coaches need to stop denying the obvious. It's obvious to every defensive coordinator in college football how to stop or ow down Clemson's offense. It is to pressure DJ. Make him beat you with the pass and you have a chance because he chokes or whatever names you want to call it. And when DJ plays bad or average, the entire offense gets the contagious infection and starts playing bad or average. And when the opposing team is on on offense they must use the pass to set up the run. (Except Notre Dame) Or just pass with no intention of getting many rushing yards. Now fortunately only a few team's each year on our schedule have the coaches and personnel to carry out this plan to get a win. But many have the coaches and personnel and players to hang with us since DJ has taken the reigns. In years past only one team or no teams per year could use this game plan and beat us. Now it's practically every weekend the opposing team feels like they have a game plan and can keep it close if not win.
Dabo better put this 2 year experiment to rest now before it gets more out of hand than it already is.