Five candidates who may replace Tommy Bowden

Jim Grobe

Wake Forest coach

If you cannot beat them, have them join you. Few coaches in the country can claim they do more with less.

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Bobby Johnson

Vanderbilt coach

He’s a Clemson alum (1973) who has rebuilt the Commodores from the ashes. Would not be the splashy hire, but his academic track record fits president James Barker’s mold.

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Will Muschamp

Texas defensive coordinator

An intense, vocal figure — in other words, the anti-Bowden — who has generated top-notch, physical defenses at Auburn and now Texas. Figures to be the most sought-after assistant in the college ranks this offseason.

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Gary Patterson

Texas Christian coach

Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips likes his southwestern guys, and Patterson has built a reputation as a consistent winner with a physical, hard-nosed style

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Dabo Swinney

Clemson interim coach

Has more potential staying power than your average interim guy. Gained a ton of respect from administration as the football team liaison during last year’s rift with an academic review board.

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(c) 2008, The State (Columbia, S.C.).

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