CFB Analyst: Clemson Will be ‘Different,’ but Won’t ‘Collapse’ Without Venables

Losing Brent Venables is without question a devastating blow to a Clemson program that has seen unprecedented success over the past several years. Venables’ aggressive defenses have certainly big a huge part of that success.

Replacing the longtime defensive coordinator is going to be difficult, but it can be done. As CBS Sports analyst Barrett Sallee pointed out on Monday, things will be different going forward, but Dabo Swinney has a pretty good track record when it comes to hiring coordinators.

“It will be different without Brent Venables, but Clemson isn’t going to collapse,” Sallee tweeted. “Dabo Swinney will get that thing back to a championship level in no time.”

It will be different without Brent Venables, but Clemson isn't going to collapse. Dabo Swinney will get that thing back to a championship level in no time.

— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) December 5, 2021

There is no doubt that the Clemson program is currently at a crossroads, as the Tigers are faced with the very real possibility of losing both coordinators and the athletic director, all at the same time. However, Swinney has known the day was coming when he would lose Venables and Tony Elliott, meaning he’s been preparing for it. Swinney has a plan. He always does.