Hershey Strosberg was hired by Athletic Director, Terry Don Phillips in January of 2008. Strosberg replaced Todd Bramble who left for the same position at The University of Alabama. Clemson went to the NCAA Tournament in all seven of Bramble's seasons including reaching the Sweet Sixteen twice and the Elite Eight once during is tenure. Bramble had an 80-51-17 overall record and did not have a losing season at Clemson
Strosberg who was an assistant at the University of Virginia prior to being named Head Coach at Clemson immediately had difficulty commanding the respect of his players. The team struggled to a 5-11-1 (1-8-1) record in Strosberg's first season 2008. Following the season a handful of players left the program due to Strosberg and the team struggled to a 3-15-0 (0-10-0) record in 2009. After the conclusion of the 2009 season, a handful of players went to Athletic Director, Terry Don Phillips and requested a change be made in the program, but the request fell on deaf ears. In turn even more players transferred or simple quit the team. This year the team posted a 6-13-0 (0-10-0) record.
Strosberg was fired with an overall record of 14-39-2 (1-28-1) mark. The Tigers lost every game to South Carolina and were outscored 95-8 during ACC play. Well over 10 players left the team during this three year period.
TDP hiring Strosberg will go down as one of the worst hires in the history of Clemson athletics. It was clear the ship was sinking right off the bat, but it took three years for the AD to make a move despite requests from the player's themselves.
Sad.
The players on the team deserved better. Clemson deserved better.
I am a parent one of those players who left the team after the 2009 season (I believe that 12 -15 left the team in 2009). You really have no idea what the players went thru under this coach (and I am not referring to wins and losses). The AD not only heard complaints from nearly the entire team, but also from alumni and parents. The AD chose to ignore the situation. I hope that the university fully investigates this matter to determine why this situation wasn't addresses a year earlier. I hope that the AD voices his public and personal apology to all players, alumni and partents for not dealing with this sooner and for the emotional harm that this coach inflicted on so many fantastic young ladies.
ReplyDeleteGood Lord, what type of things were going on? I encountered Hershey a few times and found him a tad bit neurotic and abrasive. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story.
I knew the situation was bad in 2009 and knew that Strosberg needed to be relieved at that time; however, I had know idea it was that bad.
It really speaks volumes about the lack of leadership in Clemson's AD.
The first post is very very true.He talked ,talked and talked about nothing, taught nothing,blamed everyone and showed no respect to the players.
ReplyDeleteThe official press release is now on the Tigers website. Apparently the coach was fired because his "energy and passion" did not "translate into competitive success." The AD misses the point. While success on the field is important, the emotional and physical well being of the student athletes should be the university's top priority. What does it say about a coach who ignored the wisdom of the 2008 senior captains. What does it say about the coach when he let his 2009 senior capitans yell and scream at teammates during halftime of games? What does it say about a coach who did not start the 2 remaining seniors for their last game at Clemson. (I could go on and on.) And what does all of this say about an AD who ignored all (but one) of the 2009 players and certain alumni when they pleaded that the AD find a new coach? I didn't see an apology from the AD in the press release. Perhaps a young, investigative journalist should take look into this and publish a story for all to read. Then we would all have an idea of what happened.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Parent, I can't imagine the frustration your child went through, nor you as a parent. However, not to sound caustic but it is foolish to think the University will investigate the situation and/or TDP publicly apologizing to the players, current and former. The University clearly cares nothing about anything athletics and TDP cares even less.
ReplyDeleteClemson University, academically and athletically, hasn't had any good, strong leadership in such a long time that it has become an establishment in itself, akin to your typical worthless government agency.
Even sitting in the stands you could clearly tell that the players did not like Coach Strosberg, no connection at all.
ReplyDeleteToo late Phillips. You've already destroyed the program. You and Barker knew exactly what was going on and you did nothing, giving players empty thanks for "for bringing that to our attention." You and Barker have worn out your welcome at Clemson. Move on.
ReplyDeletewhat a bunch of whiners. this nothing compared to USF women's coach. she does it and is considered a star coach.
ReplyDeleteI think Strosberg was a salesman who knew how to recruit and that was it. He was a child himself and got into the girls business. The girls lost all respect for him and he became caught up in all of the their drama and then brought on more drama himself. The only thing I told my daughter was to take this as a learning experience. You will have assholes as bosses and people who know less than you do about the situation they are controlling all of your life. Thank God, they now have a new coach and hopefully this program will get back on track. I wish them the best of everything.
ReplyDeleteGood players with a bad coach don't go 1-8-1, 0-10-0 and 0-10-0. The players need to go too!
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