Danny Ford is out as Clemson's football coach, but the controversy - and questions - arising from his resignation continue to swirl around the troubled football program.
Ford was the third-winningest active major-college coach when he reached a contract settlement with the university and resigned on Thursday. The end of Ford's 11-season run as coach of the Tigers came two weeks after the NCAA reported finding 14 alleged rule violations in the football program that could land Clemson on probation for the second time in eight years.The 41-year-old Ford will not have to worry about money for the time being, thanks to a settlement worked out with Clemson that could be worth more than $1 million if he does not take another job as a head coach before Nov. 15, 1992.
If Clemson players have their way, Ford will be back in the fall. After a meeting on Thursday night, the players issued a statement asking the school to reinstate Ford.
A source within the athletic department indicated Ford was forced to quit, pointing to comments made by one recruit who said Ford told him, "The only way he'd get away from Clemson is if they fired him."
Ford's wife, Deborah, wouldn't comment directly but hinted that was what occurred.
If Ford indeed was forced out, the resignation may have been an attempt by Clemson to ease any penalties the NCAA may place on the school. Several schools in recent months have had their punishment lightened because the coach was no longer employed there when the NCAA Committee on Infractions decided on sanctions.