Exclusive Interview Reveals Much About Clemson Football

- HOLLYWOOD, CA

This is an exclusive interview of Clemson coach utvol27 by Clemson alum, former Miss South Carolina, and current Access Hollywood host, Nancy O'Dell, as the 3-time defending national champion Tigers prepare for a 4-peat.

NO: Coach utvol27, thanks for joining me today for this exclusive interview. We will have to hurry as Ryan Seacrest may cut us to commercial break at any time. He is ruthless....and kinda sexually frustrated....but I digress. I'm so proud to see what our Tigers have accomplished the last 3 years. So how does it feel to be going after a 4th straight national title?

Cu: I'm really excited about this team and I can't wait to get season 4 started! We've got playmakers returning all over the place. We didn't lose many alot of seniors, however, we will have to replace QB Willie Korn and FS Spence Adams, who left early for the NFL. But we've got some players who are waiting in the wings that will step and be just fine. RB Blake Miller returns, and we've got some more speed to compliment him. Replacing 4 All-Americans in the secondary is tough, but I know DB coach Stewie Griffin, whose coaching tactics many consider a bit odd, (probably because of his unusual upbringing) will have his boys prepared because of his dire need for victory. The winning attitude we've established carries on in these younger players. They don't know what it is to lose, so I feel confident that we will march on just as we have been doing.

NO: How have you established this winning attitude in your program?

Cu: It all starts in workouts. Strength Coach Papa Pump, who might I add was cleared of providing steriods to our players, works these boys to the brink. They are so well conditioned and used to the difficult workouts, that when game-time rolls around, they know there is no challenge that cannot be overcome. Our staff and players have such great chemistry that we all feed off each other and persevere through difficulties.

NO: So you start of season 4 of your career ranked #1 in the coaches poll, and #3 by Sports Illustrated. What's your thoughts on that?

Cu: Those people can put us wherever they want right now. They're just trying to make a buck. What counts is at the end of the year, where are we ranked? The last 3 years, we've finished #1, and that's where I fully expect this team to finish as well.

NO: It's obvious the amount of charisma and confidence you have brought to your job. You have re-energized a program could not quite get over the hump before your arrival. You are never afraid to stand behind your players and publicly state your mind. Now it seems your brother, LSU coach UTVOL54, has copied your strategy. What do you make of his recent title prediction on PTI?

Cu: Ha! I saw that interview! Shenanigans.....that's all I can say! He can't even make the title game! He's building a good program there, but I think it bothers him that little brother has stolen the spotlight. It is flattering in a way when people copy you. though That's what happens in football. People copied the West Coast offense ever since Bill Walsh created it. Now they are copying my program as a whole. It does make me feel all tingly inside. But I still remain hungry. Clemson football is a beast, and we are out looking to devour our next meal. As the rap song goes....."Weeee ready, Weeee ready, Weeee ready.......for ya!" Yeah, that's right coach Stubucksman, we got rap too!

NO: Sounds like fighting words to me!

Cu: Sure is!

NO: (laughs). Oh, I'm ready for football season now! So how do you stay hungry and manage to motivate your players to achieve so much after they have already won 3 straight titles?

Cu: We continue to demand so much of them, on and off the football field. I won't hesitate to kick someone off the team if they do the wrong things. And also, those 3 titles are in the past. Winning a national title does not guarantee you another one. We make sure the players know that each season is a new start for every team, and if we are the one that will rise to the top, we have to outwork all the other teams. I've been blessed to be around players that are coachable and have a desire to continue to win. I think this year, we have a lot of seniors who are anxious to leave Clemson having won a national title every year they were here.

NO: Well, coach, thanks for joining me, and good luck in Gainesville in the season opener vs. #2 Florida! I'll be watching intently!

Cu: Thanks, Nancy! We will be ready, and we will make our fans proud! We are ready to get the season under way and deliver some bone crunching hits, just like we've done in years past!

In a related story just hitting the wire, Nancy O'Dell and Coach utvol27 were spotted on a romantic date in LA last night, when former President Bill Clinton saw them and joined for a photo. utvol27 and O'Dell were able to escape the paparazzi quickly after, leaving the scene in this batmobile-esque vehicle. No official word on the relationship status between the two.