Tommy Bowden: Koenning was just kidding
August 26, 2008
A day after Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning all but suggested recruiting improprieties at Alabama, Tigers head coach Tommy Bowden tried to clean up the mess by saying the coach was kidding.
Koenning, a former head coach at Wyoming and former Troy University assistant, recruits the Mobile area for the Tigers. Monday, he was asked about Alabama freshman Julio Jones and if Koenning had talked with him recently.
Koenning, in front of about half a dozen reporters, said:
“Julio? You know what, I actually ran into Julio in the spring recruiting. I said hello to him and said, ‘I guess I’ll be seeing you at the end of August.’ Then he got out and got in his (Cadillac) Escalade and drove off. That’s (being) serious. And then I went over and watched (Alabama freshman athlete signee) Burton Scott at Vigor High School at the track over there, and Burton Scott was running around. He went and got in his Escalade out at track practice and drove off. So I’m familiar with those two guys.”
Later, Koenning asked Clemson sports information director Tim Bourret to let the reporters know he wasn’t being serious.
He needs better jokes. You’d think a guy who recruited football players in the state of Alabama would know that recruiting is not a joking matter. I’m sure Nick Saban is doubled over in laughter.
Tommy Bowden said he was surprised everyone is blowing Koenning’s comments out of proportion.
“I’ve been here for 10 years and recruited against Alabama in the state of Alabama for 10 years, and have never had a problem with Alabama or Auburn either one,“ Bowden said. “That’s why I was surprised such a big thing was made (of Koenning’s comments). Vic coached at Troy; he’s got friends in the state. I’ve got friends in the state, have never had a problem with either school.
“And the guy makes an off-the-cuff comment, and I know we’re really looking for things to write about, talk about on the Internet and talk shows. If we’d had some bad blood in the past (with Alabama) — but here’s a school that has had zero bad blood and has recruited that state actively. That’s why I was kind of surprised about all that got made of it that it did. I didn’t say anything to (Koenning), but he was kidding.
“We didn’t even recruit him, Julio Jones. That shows how insignificant the statement is.“
OK. But Koenning, who should have known better if he was joking, might have introduced a bit of bad blood with his comment.
