re: Scout Article on Kirby - Good Read

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You might disagree, but if Dabo had the same talent Alabama and Ohio State has, they might win several National Championships....just based on where their program is right now. Alabama and Ohio State have great coaches...but they also have great talent. Clemson, not so much.

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I do disagree. Watson makes up for a lot of talent differential. Swinney is a good coach, but not better than Meyer or Saban.

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They have a lot of talent, but not in the same conversation as Alabama and Ohio State. yet, Clemson gave Alabama all they could handle last year. Had Alabama not done something completely out of character (The onside kick) Clemson might have beaten them.

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They have Deshaun Watson.

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Coaching? Dabo recruited Watson, we did not. Dabo has been able to keep those seniors on campus, we have not. He has managed to develop the talent, we have not. Maybe Smart can with some time. I hope so.

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Our class of 2013 was never particularly talented, and the most talented guys were frickups, basically without exception. It also included over 30 signees, so it's taken up way too much of our roster.

None of those things apply to their senior group. Theirs was a small group so ranked about the same as ours overall, but most contributed early and have continued to throughout their careers.

IMO, most college coaches at this level can reasonably develop players. They wouldn't get to this point if that weren't the case. For example, Muschamp failed at UF, but his defensive players tore it up and continue to. Muschamp's mistake was in hiring an OC that he didn't trust.

The difference with the Meyers and Sabans of the world, imo, isn't the ability to get guys motivated, teaching technique, or x's and o's. Most college staffs can do that. It's about getting players and running the program with high expectations. Time will tell on Smart.