I am very disappointed in the way our football program has spiraled downward so quickly. Is it too early to panic? Is the downward flight of our football program a trend that will pass if CMD is given more time or will the growth of our football program be impaired for the immediate future? Dabo Sweeney was not a popular hire at Clemson. His first year was moderately successful at 9-4 but his second year in 2010 saw Clemson go 6-6 in the regular season and with a bowl loss ended 6-7. Clemson fans wanted Dabo gone. The players, however, loved Dabo. AD Terry Don Phillips famously retained Dabo and the rest is history. Clemson won the ACC the next year and consecutive ACC titles from 2015-2020 along with national championships in 2016 and 2018. (Billy Napier was OC in 2010 and was fired after the season).
Ellis Johnson became the head coach at Southern Miss after the 2011 season. USM had finished the 2011 season 12-2 and a top 25 ranking and 13 starters returning. USM had a winning record in 18 straight seasons prior to 2012. Under Johnson in 2012 USM went 0-12 and many Southern Miss fans would say their program has never recovered. In the 10 seasons since 2011 Southern Miss is 47-67 with only 4 winning seasons.
So my question is: Is CMD like Dabo Sweeney and if given more time will pay benefits to this program or is he more like Ellis Johnson?