OP's disappearing act
posted by LW, Tuesday, April 06, 2010
A little less than a year ago, I had a lengthy, pleasant conversation with Oliver Purnell in his office.
We discussed a cross-section of topics, including his happiness at Clemson.
Very convincingly, he said he was content here. He and his wife loved the area, loved the people, loved living on Lake Keowee.
More important, he said there was sufficient commitment from an administration that had ponied up more money after he had been wooed by other schools. He was excited about the prospect of a new basketball facility that his boss, Terry Don Phillips, was receptive to building.
But I was curious if he'd ever get the itch to move to a place with more tradition and more resources.
I think I phrased the question like this:
"Most coaches who succeed at places with limited resources probably always wonder how they'd do at a place with maximum resources. Do you ever wonder about the possibilities of your coaching somewhere bigger, and could you see yourself ever leaving to go to one of those places?"
He pretty much dismissed the idea. He went so far as to say that, if the Duke job came open and he were lucky enough to be considered and offered, he'd probably elect to remain at Clemson.
He liked being embraced here for the impressive success he achieved since taking over a program on college basketball's scrap heap. He liked being one of the little guys, and winning his share of the battles against the big guys.
In hindsight, guess I asked the wrong question. Probably should've asked him if he'd ever get the itch to take over another rebuilding project. Probably should've asked him if he felt he was close to reaching his ceiling at Clemson.
DePaul certainly qualifies as a rebuilding project, and our sources have confirmed various reports that indicate he's taken that job and will be introduced there today.
Stunned. Absolutely stunned.
I didn't see it coming. And I don't think many, if any, people in Clemson's AD saw it coming either.
Of course, we'll have more on this story as it develops.
LW
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A little less than a year ago, I had a lengthy, pleasant conversation with Oliver Purnell in his office.
We discussed a cross-section of topics, including his happiness at Clemson.
Very convincingly, he said he was content here. He and his wife loved the area, loved the people, loved living on Lake Keowee.
More important, he said there was sufficient commitment from an administration that had ponied up more money after he had been wooed by other schools. He was excited about the prospect of a new basketball facility that his boss, Terry Don Phillips, was receptive to building.
But I was curious if he'd ever get the itch to move to a place with more tradition and more resources.
I think I phrased the question like this:
"Most coaches who succeed at places with limited resources probably always wonder how they'd do at a place with maximum resources. Do you ever wonder about the possibilities of your coaching somewhere bigger, and could you see yourself ever leaving to go to one of those places?"
He pretty much dismissed the idea. He went so far as to say that, if the Duke job came open and he were lucky enough to be considered and offered, he'd probably elect to remain at Clemson.
He liked being embraced here for the impressive success he achieved since taking over a program on college basketball's scrap heap. He liked being one of the little guys, and winning his share of the battles against the big guys.
In hindsight, guess I asked the wrong question. Probably should've asked him if he'd ever get the itch to take over another rebuilding project. Probably should've asked him if he felt he was close to reaching his ceiling at Clemson.
DePaul certainly qualifies as a rebuilding project, and our sources have confirmed various reports that indicate he's taken that job and will be introduced there today.
Stunned. Absolutely stunned.
I didn't see it coming. And I don't think many, if any, people in Clemson's AD saw it coming either.
Of course, we'll have more on this story as it develops.
LW
Click here for the "Eye On The Tigers" blog archive.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
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Larry Williams. Larry has covered the daily beat at Clemson since 2004. Williams, who worked for the Charleston Post & Courier from 2004-08, joined Tigerillustrated.com in November of 2008. He may be reached by email at ldubya08(at)gmail.com. Replace (at) with @.