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Eric Mac Lain was in the trenches during the early stages of Clemsonfootball’s rise under Dabo Swinney, giving him a unique perspective on what Chad Morris brought to the program the first time around.
Because of that, the former Tigers offensive lineman believes Morris’ return could have a meaningful impact on Clemson as it enters a new era offensively.
Speaking recently on ACC Network, Mac Lain explained that the biggest benefit may not be found on a play sheet. Instead, he sees the reunion allowing Swinney to focus on leading the entire program rather than spending energy adapting to an offensive system that never fully felt like Clemson’s own.
“He’s said it in interviews, and he and I have had private conversations and talked about, where for those three years, it’s almost like, ‘Here’s the play,’ he has to translate it in his head, ‘OK, this is what we’re doing,’” Mac Lain said of Riley’s version of the ‘Air Raid’ offense. “Where, now, this is the Clemson offense, and you brought the architect back. He gets to be the CEO. He gets to do what he is best at, manage this team from that standpoint.”
Morris helped modernize Clemson’s attack during his first stint with the Tigers, overseeing some of the most productive offenses the program had seen at the time. His success in Clemson eventually led to head coaching opportunities at SMU and Arkansas, though those stops produced mixed results and sent him on a winding path back to college football.
Over the last several years, Morris has worked in a variety of roles, including a season at Auburn, a return to the Texas high school ranks, an analyst position at USF, and time around Clemson before coaching at Texas State. Now, he is back in charge of the offense that helped establish his reputation.
Mac Lain isn’t predicting exactly what that will mean in the win column, nor is he guaranteeing championships. What he does believe is that Clemson should benefit from having an offensive coordinator whose philosophy is already deeply connected to the program’s identity.
“Does that equal to? Is that 12 wins? Is that a national championship?” Mac Lain asked. “Is that 40 points a game? I don’t know, but it will be something positive.”
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: ACC analyst, former Tiger sounds off on Clemson’s future with Chad Morris
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Because of that, the former Tigers offensive lineman believes Morris’ return could have a meaningful impact on Clemson as it enters a new era offensively.
Speaking recently on ACC Network, Mac Lain explained that the biggest benefit may not be found on a play sheet. Instead, he sees the reunion allowing Swinney to focus on leading the entire program rather than spending energy adapting to an offensive system that never fully felt like Clemson’s own.
“He’s said it in interviews, and he and I have had private conversations and talked about, where for those three years, it’s almost like, ‘Here’s the play,’ he has to translate it in his head, ‘OK, this is what we’re doing,’” Mac Lain said of Riley’s version of the ‘Air Raid’ offense. “Where, now, this is the Clemson offense, and you brought the architect back. He gets to be the CEO. He gets to do what he is best at, manage this team from that standpoint.”
Morris helped modernize Clemson’s attack during his first stint with the Tigers, overseeing some of the most productive offenses the program had seen at the time. His success in Clemson eventually led to head coaching opportunities at SMU and Arkansas, though those stops produced mixed results and sent him on a winding path back to college football.
Over the last several years, Morris has worked in a variety of roles, including a season at Auburn, a return to the Texas high school ranks, an analyst position at USF, and time around Clemson before coaching at Texas State. Now, he is back in charge of the offense that helped establish his reputation.
Mac Lain isn’t predicting exactly what that will mean in the win column, nor is he guaranteeing championships. What he does believe is that Clemson should benefit from having an offensive coordinator whose philosophy is already deeply connected to the program’s identity.
“Does that equal to? Is that 12 wins? Is that a national championship?” Mac Lain asked. “Is that 40 points a game? I don’t know, but it will be something positive.”
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: ACC analyst, former Tiger sounds off on Clemson’s future with Chad Morris
Continue reading...
