ACC Network Analyst on Nick Eason Hire: ‘Holy Cow’

Listening to the early returns regarding Dabo Swinney’s hiring of Nick Eason, Clemson’s head coach not only knocked it out of the park, he just might have hit a grand slam.

Eason was officially introduced as Clemson’s new Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Tackles Coach on Friday. In what some are calling a not so subtle move, Eason will be making the same salary as the coach he is replacing, Todd Bates.

ACC Network analysts Wes Durham and Mark Packer weighed in on the hiring on The Packer and Durham Show, both citing reasons as to why Eason is the right man for the job.

“This guy was a monster as a player,” Durham said. “Suffice it to say, if they play like he played, it’s over up front. Holy cow.”

A veteran of 17 combined NFL seasons as a player and coach, Eason will join Defensive Ends Coach Lemanski Hall to give Clemson’s talented defensive line group the guidance of a coaching duo with 26 combined seasons of NFL experience.

“I think it took Dabo Swinney six minutes to make this phone call,” Packer said. “I think this is a great hire, for a lot of reasons. I think one of the things Dabo wanted was a guy with NFL experience. He played in the NFL for 10 years. He knows Clemson. Of course, he was at Auburn last year, for getting into the college coaching ranks. Todd Bates has moved on to Oklahoma. But I think everybody within the Clemson circle thought this was a absolute home run hire.”

There is no denying that Eason will have a ton of talent to work with at tackle in 2022. Bryan Bresee returns from injury, to team with Tyler Davis in the middle of the defensive line. Ruke Orhorhoro and Tre Williams will both be back as well, not to mention Payton Page and Demonte Capehart.

“Here’s the good news for Nick Eason,” Packer said. “When you realize what Clemson lost as far as injuries go and yet that defense was still pulverizing people — defensively next year, knock on wood that they stay healthy, that is going to be one talented group on the defensive side. They were really good this year. They have a chance to be spectacular in ’22.”