Bowden steps down at Clemson

Athletic director Terry Don Phillips said Bowden was not forced out as coach.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Tommy Bowden decided he’d done all he could do for Clemson football, telling his athletic director Monday he’d step aside for the future of the program.

AD Terry Don Phillips said his intent Monday morning was to have a candid, heart-to-heart with Bowden about the football team. So Phillips was surprised when Bowden offered to walk away in mid-season.

“There wasn’t a gun to his head,” Phillips said.

“He put it on the table for the sake of the program,” Phillips said. “I agreed.”

Bowden will be paid through the end of the season, then get $3.5 million as a buyout negotiated in the contract extension both sides agreed to last December.

Bowden sat next to Phillips in McFadden Auditorium, where he’s held meetings and press conferences the past 10 seasons. He thanked the school, administrators and his latest group of players.

“I wish them nothing but success and I will be their biggest fan on Saturday” against Georgia Tech, Bowden said.

With that, Bowden left the stage without taking questions, walked into his office and shut the door as Phillips detailed the day’s dramatic events.

Assistant head coach and receivers coach Dabo Swinney will take over the club. Phillips urged him to act like the team’s head coach and make difficult decisions knowing he had the administration’s full backing.

He did that almost immediately, relieving offensive coordinator Rob Spence of his duties. Swinney and newly assigned quarterbacks coach Billy Napier will handle playcalling duties.

“This is a situation where if you’re going to have a fresh start, it’s just kind of a time for change and to move in a different direction,” Swinney said. “That’s what it boiled down to.”

Swinney promised he, his staff and players would approach the next six games full out and wide open.

“You’re looking at a coach with nothing to lose,” he said.

The reactions of Clemson players ranged from sadness to shock to acceptance.

Tailback James Davis broke down in tears when he talked about Bowden.

Center Thomas Austin was surprised such a move was made at mid-season.

Quarterback Cullen Harper, benched by Bowden Friday, backed away from comments on ESPN.com earlier Monday that the longtime coach deserved his fate.

“You never wish that upon anybody,” Harper said.