There have been a lot of shocks and surprises since the Tigers walloped South Carolina in the annual rivalry game in late November, perhaps none bigger than Todd Bates leaving Clemson for Oklahoma.
Not that the move – Clemson’s assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator, and defensive tackles coach heading to Norman to become Brent Venables’ co-defensive coordinator – is a terrible move. Or that it doesn’t make sense on some levels. It was just completely out of the proverbial left field and unexpected.
I first got wind of it late Sunday when a text arrived asking if I had heard anything about it – I hadn’t – and if I’ve learned anything over the years it’s that about one percent of message boards rumors are true.