Clemson names new offensive coordinator

Rob Spence doesn't expect Clemson to start scoring points in bunches simply because he's now in charge of the offense.

Spence, hired from Toledo to spark the Tigers attack as offensive coordinator, says time and effort will have to be invested by everyone to ensure things work as well as Clemson coach Tommy Bowden or the fans hope.

"Anything worth doing well involves a lot of hard work," Spence said by phone Thursday. "There's going to be a learning curve that we go through. But I think we're capable of getting it done."

Spence helped Toledo to 35 victories the past four seasons and now brings his balanced, up-tempo style to the Atlantic Coast Conference. He replaces Mike O'Cain, the former Clemson quarterback and North Carolina State coach fired by Bowden last month after the Tigers offense struggled through much of their 6-5 season.

Spence, 46, was an offensive assistant at Maryland from 1992-96 and said returning to the ACC was a challenge he couldn't pass up. "You'll go up against some of the best defensive coordinators in the game," Spence said. "It will be a real test."

Spence has excelled at every challenged he's faced so far.

He led a Toledo attack that averaged 474.1 yards and 35.2 points a game this year as the Rockets went 9-3 and won the Mid-American Conference title. Conversely, Clemson managed only 295 yards a game, its lowest total in 10 years.

Bowden said he knew Spence for many years working the same camps and always liked what he did.

"He has not been a one-year wonder," Bowden said.

Spence says he'll use variations of the one-back set with some no huddle, shotgun and other multiple formations.

The two first met after Spence lost his job in Maryland in 1996. Spence tried for a job when Bowden was Tulane coach. "He'll called me back. Not everybody does that," Spence says.

Soon after, Spence worked the Bowden family summer passing camp and found out his style meshed with Tommy.

Bowden, who works with the offense, says his team lost the edge in running the football so he'll step aside some to let Spence get the attack back on track. "His track record is extensive enough and he's been productive enough that he'll use the keys to the car," Bowden said. "Maybe he'll give me a set."

Spence's statistics appear to bear out Bowden's faith. Toledo was only one of four schools this past year - along with Louisville, Southern Cal and Oklahoma - to rush for 2000 yards and throw for 3,000. Twice, Spence's Toledo team finished among the top 20 nationally in rushing and twice in the top 20 nationally passing.

Spence figures to have some pieces to work with at Clemson. Tigers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who went through a disappointing junior season, will be back for his senior year. Tailback Reggie Merriweather, who'll be a junior next fall, took major steps forward this year. Clemson's returning receivers include Chansi Stuckey and Kelvin Grant, both who'll have another year of experience.

The Tigers skill people did not have standout seasons. Whitehurst had seven TDs and 17 interceptions. Merriweather was the team's top rusher with 670 yards. Stuckey and Grant were Clemson's second and third leading wideouts but had not touchdown catches.

"I think we've got some good people to work with," said Spence, who'll also coach quarterbacks. "I'm excited about that."

Over his four years at Toledo, Spence has had a player rank in the top 10 in the nation in rushing, receiving and passing efficiency.

Potent offenses have always been Spence's trademark.

Toledo averaged more than 32 points a game in 2003, when it scored top 25 wins against Pittsburgh and Northern Illinois.

Before Toledo, Spence was co-offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech in 2000 and helped the team rank seventh in the country nationally at almost 310 yards a game.

Bowden says Clemson hasn't changed much of its formations since he arrived before the 1999 season. "A lot of it will go on Rob's shoulders and the offensive staff to fix the problem," Bowden said.

Bowden still has not named replacements for two other fired staffers, defensive coordinator John Lovett and linebackers coach Theilen Smith. Although several reports have Troy State's Vic Koenning taking over for Lovett and former Ole Miss assistant Marion Hobby filling Smith's role.