For over two decades, Joey Batson was the undisputed, iron-fisted ruler of the Clemson strength and conditioning program. He was the master architect of the physical toughness that defined historic national championship runs. Replacing an icon of that magnitude is a task most programs would stumble through, but head coach Dabo Swinney found the absolute perfect successor.
Replacing an icon of that magnitude is a task most programs would stumble through, but head coach in Dennis Love, affectionately known as D-Love.
D-Love is a pure Clemson guy through and through. He has trained elite athletes in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and was highly sought after by professional franchises—including an active pursuit by the Minnesota Vikings—before choosing to return home to Death Valley. On Tuesday, Swinney spoke about how the players have completely gravitated toward his intense style.
"Oh yeah, I mean guys love they they love D Love, you know," Swinney said. "Joey loved him, leaned on him. One of the reasons we brought him back... because he otherwise would be he'd be he'd be the guy for the Mike knows no Vikings right now. So we're thankful we got him. This is where he wants to be. You know, he's a Clemson guy. He loves this place, and you know he aligns with everything we're about as a program."
A Summer of Pure, Unfiltered Grit
The transition has not been for the faint of heart. D-Love has spent his first summer in charge pushing the Tigers through a physical gauntlet designed to forge an elite edge. Dabo noted that the strength coach has taken full advantage of this window to establish his culture.
Swinney detailed the demanding nature of the offseason workouts:
"He's got a ton of great experience. But the biggest thing is you know he he's he really connects with these guys, and he's tough. So it's been a you know it's been a tough summer, you know, for these guys. It's been you only get one first summer, and I think he's taking you know full advantage of it and setting the tone on you know the way the way he wants things done in the weight room... The guys have responded to it, so I think they've gotten better throughout the summer from where they were in the spring."
The Smiling Transformation of Chris Johnson Jr.
Perhaps the most exciting individual development under D-Love’s watchful eye is the physical evolution of explosive playmaker Chris Johnson Jr. Swinney had previously challenged the young speedster to lock in on his nutrition and body weight coming out of spring. Dabo beamed when discussing how Johnson has completely embraced the challenge, dropping a hilarious anecdote about his personal mission to make the famously stoic athlete smile.
"He's been awesome. He's been awesome, and he and it's and I've seen him smile on more than one occasion," Swinney laughed. "I called Red about him. Red, like he's amazing. He's never smiles. I'm like, he's gonna smile. I'm gonna give him a smile... seems happy, and he's got his weight in a good spot. He's certainly an explosive player. He's a touchdown. You know what I mean by that is whatever you need from touchdown, he can do it. You need 90, you need 70. He he can he he can he can go the distance."
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