McDaniels: Clarett can succeed despite obstacles

The Warren Harding coach said Maurice Clarett should focus on being a student this year.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- Maurice Clarett and his former high school football coach, Thom McDaniels of Warren Harding, have exchanged voicemails in the past week.
What message does McDaniels hope to send to the Ohio State running back when they speak next?
"It's fourth and long," McDaniels will say, "but you have to believe you're going to convert this."
Stalled
Clarett, a Youngstown native who played for McDaniels' Raiders, is accustomed to running through holes. Lately, he's found himself in one.
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and athletics director Andy Geiger indicated this week that Clarett's suspension from the team will be lengthy.
Just how long and when it will be determined is still unknown. Clarett is not practicing with the team.
"That's an indication something else is wrong," said McDaniels, who has contacts within the Ohio State program.
"The investigation has been ongoing," he added. "It was never near completion, and everybody expected we were going to get an answer by the first game."
Clarett, a sophomore, has been under investigation by the NCAA since $10,000 of merchandise was stolen from a car he was driving.
He gave police incorrect information on the amount stolen and later admitted the error. The car belonged to a Columbus dealership.
"I feel like they looked into what they thought was one little problem and discovered a whole lot more than they expected," McDaniels said.
One on one
While Clarett was at Harding, McDaniels expressed concern about the challenges the player would face at the next level.
"Whether it was six minutes or 86 minutes, we talked every day," McDaniels said. "That was good for both of us. It helped me understand him, and he knew what I expected."
But McDaniels worried that Clarett wouldn't have that same outlet in college during an adjustment period in a high-profile program.
"I told him that Coach Tressel wouldn't be as available to him as I was. I'm just a high school football coach. I'm not busy like Jimmy's busy," McDaniels said.
"[Clarett] had to find somebody he could talk to, and I don't think that happened."
Those one-on-one conversations were critical for Clarett's success at Harding, McDaniels added, especially during his time off the field.
"Maurice has more freedom there than he has here," McDaniels said. "That kind of freedom isn't always good for kids."
Former Falcon
Clarett began his varsity football career in 1998 as a freshman at Austintown Fitch, where he set the Falcons' single-game rushing record with 244 yards.
He transferred to Harding the following season.
"He did everything we asked of him. We never had one problem with him," said Brian Fedyski, Clarett's coach at Fitch. "He was a good kid for us. We had zero complaints."
Clarett's season was cut short with an ankle injury. Even then, he had a positive mindset, Fedyski said.
"To help participate with our team, he asked to be a ball boy on game days, just to be in the flow of the game," the coach said.
An Ohio State fan, Fedyski calls Clarett's current predicament unfortunate.
"Without a doubt, he's one of the best running backs in college football," Fedyski said. "But the rules apply to everyone. He can only blame himself for the trouble he's gotten himself into."
Ohio State began its defense of the national championship with a 28-9 victory over Washington and is preparing for San Diego State on Saturday.
By many indications, the Buckeyes will be operating much -- if not all -- of the season without Clarett.
"He needs to stay there and be a student," McDaniels said. "Then he needs to come back next year and rush for 2,000 yards, win the Heisman Trophy, be a first-round draft choice.
"And have a great life."
richesson@vindy.com