ACC Report: New ACC Commissioner could come from Clemson

Rumors around Clemson are swirling the night before Thanksgiving.

Everyone knows the ACC is in the middle of their search to replace outgoing Commissioner John Swofford and there is a strong rumor that his replacement will have a tie to Clemson.

According to Sports Illustrated, Clemson University President Dr. James Clements and ESPN executive VP Burke Magness are the two front runners.

According to the SI report, the ACC choice will be a strong indication of the direction that they would like to go.

"The choice will be an indicator at which direction the ACC, which is the middle of several key issues regarding its future, including the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the ongoing flirtation with Notre Dame as a full member.Choosing Clements would be a clear sign that the Presidents want a more active role in athletic matters."

We wrote a few months ago about neither athletic director Dan Radakovich nor Dr. Clements being on the selection committee a strong indication that one or both of them had thrown their hats in the job pool as both would be fantastic choices to lead the ACC into the future.

Losing Dr. Clements would be a huge blow to Clemson.

Not many University presidents have been as supportive of athletics as Dr. Clements has been and the Clement’s have been an amazing first family over the last seven years.

Not only has he overseen the most success in Tigers athletic history, but he has done a lot around the Clemson community to embrace the true Clemson story and make it more inclusive and diverse than ever before.

While some people may not be happy with the pace of these actions, no one can argue that Clements has not been on the forefront to recognize the enslaved that built the foundation of Clemson and has started several initiatives to make sure that future Tigers understand the past that is Clemson.

While this would be a tough loss for the Tiger family, it will be a great step for the ACC and there is no doubt that, unlike John Swofford, Clements would make sure that the conference is put first and receives all the recognition that it deserves.