Two Coaches

Jan 9, 2019, 4:24 PM

Dabo and Nick, Both coaches have shown they are excellent football coaches and have imposing won/loss records to support that assessment. In addition, over the past 10 years most of the national championships trophies reside at the University of Alabama or Clemson University. Both have won the respect of players and fans. No moving vans have appeared in their driveway at the request of fans and their fans hope the coaches do not place an order for a moving van.

When viewed standing on the sidelines during a game we see two entirely different coaches. Nick most often appears to be in deep thought, never letting a smile interfere with his thought process. Seldom do we see another coach or player within an arm's length of Nick. Some have referred to this situation as showing respect. He is not a coach who shows a high level of emotion during a game, a trait some consider desirable and some consider undesirable. If there is a degree of emotion, it most likely will appear to be one of disgust.

Looking at the other sideline, we see just the opposite. Dabo is smiling, clapping his hands as a means of encouragement, chatting with his players and coaches and pacing the sidelines. But when there is a busted play or an official call not to his liking, we see an entirely different emotion, Dabo's emotions are best on exhibit when we score a touchdown, intercept a pass, recover a fumble or stop a potential touchdown drive. Running down the sideline wearing a broad smile to greet and commend a player or players as they come off the field.

Some pundits criticize Dabo for his sideline demeanor but we fans have come to accept it because that is Dabo being Dabo. In the waning moments of an obvious victory, players and coaches are hugging each other and there are some who have inferred this is not showing respect for the coach. What they fail to see is this is much more than respect, it is the mutual love between coaches and players that sets Clemson's program apart from most other programs. This is the family atmosphere that Dabo promotes and it is on public view for the entire world to see.