Clemson Football: Tony Elliott linked to UCF head coaching vacancy
Clemson football co-offensive coordinator, Tony Elliott is garnering interest from UCF for their vacant head coaching position, per Bruce Feldman.
When you have competed in two straight National Championships, it’s normal for outside programs to try and poach from your coaching staff. Under Dabo Swinney, Clemson has gone through their fair share of staff changes. Just last offseason, the Tigers lost veteran defensive line coach, Marion Hobby to the NFL. For a successful program it comes with the territory.
Recently, Clemson co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach, Tony Elliott’s name was linked with the UCF head coaching vacancy. The Knights – who just completed an undefeated season – lost head coach, Scott Frost to Nebraska.
Hearing #Clemson Co-OC Tony Elliott is getting some traction for #UCF head coaching vacancy. Very impressive man with an amazing personal story.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 4, 2017
Track record
After losing Chad Morris to SMU, Dabo Swinney turned to Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott to run Clemson’s offense. The young coaching tandem has flourished in their new role.
Since taking over play-calling duties in 2015, Clemson has averaged 37.7 points per game. The Tigers have also posted a 40-3 record over that same span of time.
While Elliott’s football acumen makes him an intriguing candidate, his life experience is all the more important. In a report done by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach in 2015, Elliott’s life was mapped out for the world to see. From homelessness, to losing his mother in a horrific car accident at just nine years old; Elliott has been through more adversity in his 39 years on this Earth than most will experience in an entire lifetime.
As a coordinator, your ability to teach X’s and O’s takes precedent over everything else. As a head coach, your ability to manage people is of the utmost importance, more so than your football knowledge. You are responsible for managing not only your players, but, every coach on your staff.
Elliott’s poise and ability to build quality young men, separates him from other aspiring head coaches. Frankly, he would be a fantastic hire for a growing, UCF football program.
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In that same report, Dabo Swinney was quoted as calling Elliott, “a future head coach.” While there have been no talks between him and UCF, or any other program for that matter, it might not be much longer before he makes good on Swinney’s prophecy.