Alabama Football: Clemson and the Tide share much history

Jess Neely – A Vanderbilt graduate, Neely was an Alabama assistant coach before he was hired to be the Clemson head coach in 1931. Neely brought former Tide player and assistant coach, Frank Howard to Clemson with him.

Frank Howard – Howard succeeded Neely in 1940 when Jess moved to Rice. Howard coached the Tigers through the 1969 season. Paul Bryant and Howard developed a lifelong friendship. Like Bryant, Howard had a humble background coming out of Barlow Bend. AL. Unlike Bryant, he made it to the University of Alabama on an academic scholarship. He played guard for Wallace Wade. Clemson plays its home games on Frank Howard field.

Hootie Ingram – After playing defensive back at Alabama, Ingram worked as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Georgia and Arkansas. In 1970, he succeeded Frank Howard as Clemson head coach. Ingram was Athletic Director at Alabama 1989-1992 and hired Gene Stallings.

Charley Pell – Charley came from humble beginnings on Sand Mountain in northeast Alabama. He was exactly the type of tough, never quit guy Bear Bryant loved to coach. Pell played on the 1961 national championship team. He later earned All-SEC honors at guard and defensive tackle, playing at under 190 pounds. Pell became Clemson’s defensive coordinator in 1976 and was promoted to head coach in 1977. He left Clemson after the 1979 season to coach Florida.

Danny Ford – Ford succeeded Charley Pell as Clemson’s head coach. As an Alabama football player, Ford was another of Bear’s tough as nails boys. He was Clemson’s head man from 1978-1989, winning a national championship in 1981. Ford led the Tigers to five ACC titles. After leaving Clemson he was the head coach at Arkansas for five seasons before retiring from football. Danny is now a hemp farmer, on land not far from Clemson.

Tommy Bowden – Tommy, son of Bobby Bowden, was the Tigers head coach from 1999-2008. He was an Alabama football assistant under Bill Curry. After Dabo left coaching for two years, Bowden brought him back in 2003 season. Bowden seemingly never recovered his zeal for coaching after Nick Saban’s 2008 team dismantled favored Clemson to open the 2008 season. Bowden stepped down before the season ended and Dabo was named the interim head coach.

More history will be made on January 1st

None of this history matters to the 18-22-year-old young men who will battle on New Years Day. The Tide has two advantages that could determine the outcome. After losing to Clemson last season and Auburn in the last game, the players have something prove. Don’t underestimate that motivation.

There is something more, and that more, not being in the minds of today’s players makes it no less real. For Alabama football, national championships are a birthright. This game and the next one are games Alabama football teams are supposed to win. Clemson, so far at least, cannot claim such a destiny.

Next: Like it or not, Jalen is the man.

Clemson and Alabama football have a chance at two games to make history again. One of the teams will only get one chance.