Tony Elliott on Dabo Swinney: "He’s like a father to me."

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We got a chance to hear from Clemson offensive coordinator in this wide-ranging interview this afternoon.

The following are unedited transcripts from earlier today.

Coach Swinney was saying night that this team has been so much fun to coach through these first few practices, there's just been an energy out there. From your standpoint, what are you seeing from these guys? What is making them so much fun to coach? And what is the cause of all of that energy?

• “I think you're just seeing a ton of enthusiasm. You know you got an influx of young guys that are eager to get an opportunity, I think what's all taken place over the last several months, you know where guys are, you know, they were here, practicing in spring ball, the next thing you know, football (is) done for the spring, they're home, they're not able to be in the environment they're used to. I think it put football in perspective, and they're just happy to be back in a routine so I just think it's just a lot of energy but you know just a genuine appreciation to get to do what you love so just the combination of the older guys getting back into routine and the influx of young guys and their energy. So they're just focusing on the moment. I think everything that we've been through individually, you know as a country, as a program has really kind of made a one day mentality. I think everybody's just appreciative of the day and so they go out and they just exhaust the moment. That's what I'm seeing just a ton of energy and excitement and appreciation for each other, appreciation for the game of football and appreciating for an opportunity to get back to doing what they love to do.”

Obviously losing four of your five starting offensive linemen. How have you been kind of shuffling those guys around and I know Robbie Caldwell always cross-trains those guys up front, but how are the pieces kind of coming together?

• “It's been fun to watch. You look at the guys that we got up there right now. Four of the five have a good amount of experience. (Will) Putnam being the young guy coming off of one of his early years, but he's really kind of stepped up his game and filled that void out at right guard, Jordan McFadden, I think all of us knew the day he showed up that he was gonna have an opportunity to be special. Just had to wait his turn. Wait his turn in line and then you got Cade Stewart's played a lot of football, started a game or two in the past. So we got him at center, then you got (Matt) Bockhorst. Highly recruited guy, a lot of talent, you know overcame some injuries but now it's his turn. And then Jackson Carman, obviously we know what Jackson is capable of so really like just the cohesion that I'm seeing, obviously, for us, even though we had those four guys move on. It looks a lot like what we had last year. And then with J Mac and in his athleticism, Jackson at the tackles, and we feel like we got everything we had in the past to tackle and really like what those guys are doing on the inside. The biggest challenge for us upfront is getting the freshmen, get them up to speed as quick as we can. Very, very talented second group but just not a lot of experience so that's how it's coming together, but I think those guys had a great model in the four seniors that we lost. They understand the mindset you got to have every single day and a credit to Robbie. Robbie, he trains those guys that play every position so it gives us some flexibility. The biggest thing for us is just getting those freshmen up to speed and let me tell you, that energy that I talked about, you know, Venables with some time to sit at home and watch a bunch of video, we're really getting tested in practice but what I've told them to just accept the challenge. And that's really what made us special over the years is what we see in practice. So really like the cohesion, the chemistry, the communication of that first group. Just got to get that second group, you know, get them comfortable. Get them understanding what we're trying to get accomplished in other talents definitely there.”

Several college football players have sat out and potential high draft picks. Have you talked to Travis at all and did he talk with you at all about kind of having a decision to make and what were some of those conversations like?

• “Obviously, Travis had a decision to make before this season. And then obviously some time to reflect and you get a lot of pressure from the outside world and just like always talk to Travis, I'm going to talk to him as if he's my son, and then I'm gonna give him my coach's opinion and you know some of that information is sensitive between me and Travis, but he's very receptive. That's the beautiful thing about Travis's is he's got his head on his shoulders straight, and he's trying to do what's best for the long term and his future. And right now, man he's looked as good as he's ever looked.”

Are Joe Ngata and Frank Ladson back at practice and, if so, how they looked and if not how the younger guys books specifically E.J. Williams and Ajou Ajou?

• Those guys are still following the protocol, trusting the athletic training staff to make sure that they get those guys back out there as quick as they can, but at the same time, just going through all the proper procedures to make sure that they're safe and ready to go so you know the young guys, it's really put a ton on Spec's (Brannon Spector) plate. He's a guy that we knew had a ton of talent but now he's having to play multiple positions. You see his athleticism, you see his changing direction. Playing three positions at one time throughout the course of practice you know, it can be challenging but he's accepting the challenge. Athletically he's moving around well also so I think we know what we got in Spec expect. That's given E.J. an opportunity to move up. I think that we hit a home run with E.J. Very similar to J-Ross. So this has really been good for him just have to continue to, you know, to grind away on the playbook, you know, understanding, you know, not just what we're doing, but why we're doing and how we're doing it the details of what we're doing. And then Ajou, I mean I think the other guys have already kind of described him. I think that one thing you could say about him is he's freakish. Still has a lot to learn but really, really pleased with the athleticism, in the ability of these guys now it's just getting these guys through, you know through the hard days of camp where they're continuing to be stressed mentally, physically, and then polish them up as we get closer to start to see.”

Tony what's your message meant to the players and specifically your running backs is there's so much up in the air about the season and trying to help those guys through the physical and mental hurdles and I guess, trying to see where everything is?

• “The biggest message is control the controllable, you know you're trying to you got so much outside noise, you need to simplify your life, quiet the noise, focus on what you can control and what you can control is what you do today. Your attitude, focusing on the things that really matter,  not letting people, as coach Swinney says, ‘walk through your through your mind with the dirty feet’. So you got to do a good job of simplifying cutting out the noise, and then just be thankful for the opportunity. You know right now, ACC has done a great job at the top level for the medical standpoint of putting protocols and procedures in place, to give us an opportunity to do what we love and that's what we're going to focus on and we can't control anything outside of our walls as we've always been so it's just been the same message, getting our guys back and you know that's why it's been important for us to get them back in the building and get to work with them because they've been, you know, out in different environments so just getting them re-acclimated to what our message is consistently and that is your attitude, your work ethic, the things that you can control. That's been my message and then also to, you know, let's not belittle this situation either. I mean there's a lot of stuff going on, you know I know I've been dealing with the issues of what's going on in society and I've had to have, you know, conversations with people that have that trust just to be able to talk through some things so you know don't try to be too man to deal with it with yourself but there's a proper place and a proper time. When we step on the football field, man, that's our place of peace, let's focus on that. And then when we step off the football field if there are issues that are going on and you're trying to answer some of those questions, and you can you can't shut it off, well let's talk to some people, you know, let's have some, some communication and some conversation because there is a lot of stress and strain on everybody, not just the players but everybody right now.”

Has it taken a toll on some guys mentally just know one day maybe it looks better than the next day and kind of just open down all the time with so much going on and it changes so quickly?

• “I think, right now, just with us being back practicing, the guys have a routine. So really haven't seen much of that. And again, just trying to get these guys to understand the climate and the situation and open up those lines of communication so really haven't seen, you know, the up and down, but you do know because the time we were away from our guys you know having those conversations. You know that there are some things that they have on their mind but I think the best thing for them is just to get back into a routine. And that gives them the ability to quiet the noise, and stop worrying about the things that they can't control. Stop trying to answer questions that they don't know the answers to. And just allow them to have that tunnel vision and focus on what's important and that's was, when they got back finishing up the summer school, and then now let's focus on practicing camp and getting ready for the season.”

Trevor was saying that he assumes he's fully in because Travis has been in practice every day but do you have any reason to believe he's still maybe weighing his options?

• “I don't as of right now, but again we live in an environment where it's day-to-day. Travis tells me he's all in, and again, watching him move around in practice, he's looked as good as he's ever looked so we'll just go day by day. And again, try not to add any additional pressure you know creating opportunities if you need to talk about something, come and talk and I believe that we have a strong enough relationship that if there's anything that he needs to relay to me, he will. We've had our conversations in the past and now that we're here, man we're focusing on going out and preparing to, have the best season that he's had so far.”

What was Travis’ summer like?

• “His summer was good. He was home for a while, had an opportunity to be home, came back in good shape. I know he weighed in right around 199-200 pounds and obviously he like to be around 208, but once you stepped on the practice field, you could see that the weight that he came in, he put in a lot of work so his summer was good in terms of that just focusing on that, had an opportunity to be around family and when he came back here. He's just been Travis.”

In your time with Trevor obviously we've seen him really emerge as a major voice in college football in recent weeks. In your time with him, how have you seen his voice develop? How have you seen his leadership skills develop? Has he always been this vocal? Does it surprise you to see him at the forefront, the way he is right now?

• “I think the day Trevor showed up, he's got the natural leadership qualities, but what I admire most about Trevor, is he wanted to come in and earn the opportunity for his voice to be heard, even though he could have come in day one, with his ability, you know and been a loud voice, he wanted to earn it the right way that you do in the game of football, so early on, you know, we probably encouraged him to speak up and he would speak up in his own little circles in the locker room, but I think now that he's earned the respect of his teammates, he's performed on the national level, you know he understands the responsibility that comes with being in that position, and he's done a great job of being a voice so over the years, you know he's always had that voice, but he's gone about the process of earning the right for his voice to be the loudest and it's good to see him taking that that next step in being a voice for his teammates, you know, for the guys that he knows across the country that play college football and what better spokesperson than Trevor Lawrence.

Have you thought about a fall without football would look like for you and your players like what, what would that look like for you?

• “I don't even know. Really don't even want to think about it. Like I said, man, just proud of the ACC, you know, for the leadership that they provide us give us an opportunity to get back in and go work and prepare for the season start on the 12th. So really haven't thought about it, don't want to think about it just really want to focus on and get back to that one-day mentality, win the day, it's a one-game season, like it's always been around here, every game matters and that's been my focus really because again that's what we're trying to challenge these young men. I don't know the answer to that question so I'm not going to spend time you're trying to figure out the answer to that question you know what I do know in front of me is that right now. We got an opportunity to come in every single day and practice and prepare for the season and that's what I want to focus on.”

Can you give an update on Blake Vinson and his health I guess with his knee. How's that looking?

• “You know he's been battling back, obviously today was a big day but happy that coach Swinney took the opportunity to do our annual bonding session. So it's to be determined still with him, still battling back but we've only had a couple of days in pads and I think that's really when you're going to see him, when we get into full pads, we have some live work, we'll really be able to get an evaluation but with him, he's a guy that we're really counting on because he can play multiple positions, you know he snapped a little bit, he's played guard, he's played tackle. But so far, he's looked solid but again, he's still coming back, he's trying to get wind underneath himself, he's trying to gain his confidence. So far, he's where you expect him to be. And I think the next week is gonna be big for him in terms of just the mental confidence and being able to push when we put the pads on and go live.”

The team bonding session today, was that something you guys had always planned on doing today or did that get moved up based on all the news that came out and also what did that look like this year?

• “We never know when it's coming. That's coach Swinney's (doing). He handles the schedule. Today, we went out there, I was expecting to go to practice. And really, you know, dialed in on the practice script, had my mindset on that but you know I've never questioned coach Swinney's ability to know the pulse of his team. Wouldn't say that the news or anything, determined that he already had his mind set upon when he wants to do it because he does a great job of, thinking things out, planning everything. Just the way that he goes about his process is very meticulous. So, it's always more authentic and genuine when you don't know what's coming so it's good and I think over the years he's learning you probably don't want to tell the staff when it's coming because somebody might leak it to the players. And the last thing you want is for the players to know before it comes.”

Walker Parks has the right mentality but how is he processing things so far I guess at this early, juncture?

• “I guess the biggest way I could describe that is I don't notice it in practice, you know, so when you're a left tackle, and it's kind of like Mitch, when you're not noticed man, you're doing your job well. Obviously he processes it well. And Ihe's able to understand the big picture and get the nuances, you know so far been impressed, we haven't called his name much because he's doing what he's supposed to do. So definitely has the right demeanor, you know, has the right ability to learn. Now we just got to get them up to speed with everything that we're doing and then see how he responds when the bullets start flying live.”

We haven't talked to you since the spring I don't think. What was this summer was like with everything going on with the protests and everything going on in the country. And what did you think of some of the criticism Dabo received for his handling of some things?

• “It's unfair and unfortunate for Coach that people that don't know him, can have an opinion, and then have a platform to voice your opinion, but I think that everybody around coach Swinney that has a relationship knows that he's not anything that they were trying to portray him to be. He's one of the most genuine people that you're ever going to meet. He's like a father to me. You know, a lot of the things that I've have instilled in my family, I've gotten from him. He truly values every person. He looks for the good in everybody, and he has his own special way of accentuating that good in everybody. You look at what the program has been able to do in terms of changing college football. So I don't believe that's possible if the person is what they were trying to say he is. I mean the only way that's possible is for him to be who he is and that's just a genuine person, you know that stands upon his faith, didn't do anything wrong. He's never tried to please everybody. He's just been himself and that's what makes it special. It's unfortunate that people would take an opportunity but we understand as a program, we understand as individuals, with success comes scrutiny. He talks about that all the time. And we understand that it's all about perspective, and for us, the perspective is that we must be doing something right. Our program must be making a difference, making a change, it's gonna be attacked that way so on the surface you know you'd have some frustration because somebody that you love, somebody that you care about is being attacked and his character is being attacked which you know is not true, it's not warranted. But you understand the context and the climate that we're in, so it was pretty challenging. , And then the other issues that are going on in society. You know, some of those things, directly impact me, directly impact my family. And so it was a tough time but I tell you what, I was built off of adversity in my life. Those who know my story, understand that that's how I became the person that I am is being able to turn negative into a positive. So as I processed the information as I went through the protocol that I have individually for dealing with adversity man I was able to come out stronger, I was able to come out better, I was able to come out with a greater appreciation for myself, for my family for these players, for these coaches, for all people, and then also kind of re-energized me  to continue to do what I'm doing, and that's helping these young men develop through adversity through the game of football so they can be the best version of themselves so started out troubling and trying, but my life verse is in the book of James and it talks about responding to adversity and so it was a great opportunity for me to grow as a man and thus, I believe is going to help me be a better coach, a better father and a better husband going forward.”

How proud are you of Darien Rencher? You just talked about trying to make an impact in young men's lives and what Dabo does. But I watched Darien last night so poised, very mature. How proud are you of him and kind of the stance that he's taken and the leadership that he shown.

• “It's just so awesome to see young man, realize his gift, accept his gift, and then go out and walk in his gift and it's just so awesome. He's providing so much leadership, not just for our team but he's providing leadership for all college football players around the country.”

Would you think there's a role for a Player's Association in college football?

• “I think that's a question I don't have enough information on outside of our walls but I know right here I know we support our players, and they have a tremendous voice within our program as coach Swinney said this is a player-driven program so everything we do is about the players. We provide a ton of opportunity for them to communicate and we take their communications, and we use it to help make the program better so definitely think that within college football, the voices of the players have to be heard, but I know here at Clemson, I'm confident and really proud of how we incorporate the development of our players within the program.”

Coach Swinney really raved about the spring that Cornell Powell had with Frank and Joseph out. Have you seen him kind of pick up where he left off?

• “Right. I think definitely there and I think this offseason was big for Cornell too, because he's got some true leadership ability, but again, not every leader recognizes their gifting. They don't recognize the ability that they have and that's something I've always been challenging him on with this with everything that went on and his involvement in the things that took place here in the community has really, really propelled him so he was able to pick up that momentum and now obviously this is an opportunity for him to go out there and be a leader, was really looking forward to the competition battle between him and Frank there early on, but even without that, he's pushing himself. He's taking advantage of this opportunity. I'm really proud of Cornell, because he's a guy that's been through a lot. He made a decision a while back to stick it out, tough it out. And my hope is that it's gonna be very similar to a Diondre Overton, a guy that stayed the course and now it's his turn to be a senior that he's going to take full advantage of but I think his mind, his heart is in the right place to give him a chance to do it.”

What specifically have you seen out of E.J. (Williams), I guess in his sort of elevated role over the first four practices?

• “Fast. (He’s got a) great change of direction. Can make the acrobatic of acrobatic catch. So the biggest thing there is he's just got to be consistent with a lot of the things that we're doing and I'm really, really excited about Grish, you know, and his opportunity to teach those guys, because I think he's got a skillset and a demeanor about him that's a little bit different than Jeff (Scott). And Jeff did an unbelievable job. We all know that. We wouldn't be wide receiver U without Jeff but I think Grish brings a little bit of a different aspect to it, and he's really been taken on to the coaching so you're starting to see as his technique improves. But the biggest thing with E.J. is just the athleticism, the speed, the change of direction, and the ability to go make the acrobatic catch a lot like Ross.”

How is Grisham different from Coach Scott, specifically?

• “Grisham played at the highest level, you know, so he actually played and that's one thing that I wasn't fortunate enough to do but he played at the highest level, he's got a sloths mentality, you know I'm saying an underdog mentality so he's always had to rely heavily on technique. So that's, that's probably the biggest difference you know, I would say right there he's just a very, very technical guy, and he's hungry, he's got a lot of energy because this is his first opportunity. Very, very passionate, so the guys that really taken to that so I probably the biggest thing is just he's a technique freak, that these guys are really absorbing all that information, and trying to transfer it from the things that they're doing individually into the team segments.”