Clemson talks to LSU assistant

Will Muschamp is being courted to be Clemson's new defensive coordinator.

And in other Clemson-related news, here's a look-back at the 1978 Gator Bowl, a 17-15 Clemson victory over Ohio State that led to the end of Woody Hayes' coaching career after he punched Clemson's Charlie Bauman. (Thank you, Fanblogs, for looking up Clemson stuff so I don't have to!)

Oh, no....Miller's going pro!

Yes, it's sad news. Fanblogs is reporting that star defensive back Justin Miller will enter the NFL draft.

Sorry, Justin, but you're going a year too early. You're a tremendous talent, but you're costing yourself a lot of money with this move.

Steve Spurrier's trying to steal our assistant coaches!

Specifically, Brad Scott and Burton Burns! Find out what the new coach of the Gamecocks is up to at Fanblogs! And somebody make me stop using exclamation points!

ALL-AMERICANS: Defensive standouts Leroy Hill and Justin Miller have been named to a couple of All-American teams. Congratulations, fellas.

Hill named ACC defensive player of the year

Clemson linebacker Leroy Hill was voted the best defensive player in the league. (More here.) Congratulations, Leroy. Don't go and turn pro or anything.

WestZone project runs into a snafu

The bids for the stadium renovation projects exceeded budget estimates. Oh well.

CROWTON TO CLEMSON? The Tigers are eyeing former BYU coach Gary Crowton to be the team's new offensive coordinator.

'HOWARD'S END': The State has an interesting look at the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of legendary Clemson coach Frank Howard. (A man I was lucky enough to meet when I was a child.) It happened 35 years ago today.

Miller may go pro; coaches react to firings

Clemson's all-star defensive back Justin Miller is considering turning pro next year. (More here.) Don't do it, Justin. Look at Derrick Hamilton, who turned pro early and is riding the pine with a very bad San Francisco 49ers team.

THE TUESDAY AFTERNOON MASSACRE: Former assistants Mike O'Cain and John Lovett are speaking out abour their dismissals. (See here and here.) The words "slap in the face" are used.

ALL-ACC TEAM: Linebacker Leroy Hill and receiver Airese Currie are on the first team. (Here's the list.) Also, offensive tackle Barry Richardson has been named a freshman All-American by The Sporting News.

No bowl game? Let's steal some s**t, then!

Interesting news from Columbia.

Bowden finally speaks about staff shakeups

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden has broken his silence on recent changes to his coaching staff. Read all about it here, here and here.

There's also a look at who could be hired to replace the departed assistants, a Bart Wright column, and a story acknowledging that Bowden respects new Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier.

Well, that's good to know.

THE FINAL NOTES: The SID's office has released the final notes of the football season.

Hokies win ACC title by downing Miami

Virginia Tech defeated the Hurricanes 16-10 Saturday to win the league crown and a likely berth in the Sugar Bowl. Congratulations, Hokies.

Another assistant gets the ax

Fanblogs is reporting that Thielen Smith has been fired. Smith coached rovers and whip linebackers, and was a former defensive line coach.

Firings look bad for Clemson

So says Bart Wright, who wonders why Tommy Bowden hasn't issued any public statements about the dismissal of offensive coordinator Mike O'Cain and defensive coordinator John Lovett. Bowden, meanwhile, is eyeballing Florida assistant Larry Fedora to be the new offensive coordinator.

DANNY'S NOT GOING TO ECU: Surprise, surprise. It's little Skippy Holtz who will be the Pirates' next head coach. At least that's the story today...

DE FACTO ACC TITLE GAME: That's what Saturday's matchup between Miami and Virginia Tech will be.

BREAKING NEWS AGAIN: Danny Ford to coach ECU?

What the hell?

It's not just a rumor: O'Cain and Lovett were fired

The State cites "multiple sources" for the dismissal of Clemson offensive coordinator Mike O'Cain and defensive coordinator John Lovett. Those sources say both men were "blindsided" by the decision. (More here.)

Meanwhile, the university is standing silent on the whole affair.

I'm not disappointed to see O'Cain go. He may have been the main reason we struggled on offense, and it's probably not a coincidence that quarterback Charlie Whitehurst had an off year with O'Cain as his mentor. But Lovett seemed to be doing a solid job on defense, despite many Tigernetters' protests about Clemson's inability to stop anybody on third down. (Yes, I've noticed that, too.)

We'll see what happens in the coming weeks. Hopefully we'll get some good people in there.