Catching up with Coach Danny Ford

CLEMSON — To the most loyal football fans, Danny Ford and Clemson University are kind of like apple pie and ice cream. They just go together.

Ford coached the 1981 Clemson team that went 12-0 and won the Orange Bowl and then the Tigers were named the consensus national champion. He served as the head football coach at Clemson from 1978 to 1989.

Ford is now 76 years old now and he still goes on a fishing trip each year with some of his lineman from that era who played for him.

“We listen to the same old stories for a 6 to 7 mile ride,” said Ford. “I really enjoy that. They’ll talk about somebody and then call them up on the phone. They keep up with each other and help each other out if needed, and that’s what it is all about.”

One of those memorable players, Jeff Davis, was an All-American linebacker from 1978-81 and served as a captain on that 1981 championship team. Plus, Davis oversees the player relations arm of Clemson football entitled P.A.W. Journey - a natural outgrowth of spiritual leadership for the student athletes at Clemson.

Ford still stays in contact with him and can’t say enough good things about Davis and his family.

“Jeff is an outstanding person and a man of God,” Ford said. “He loves Clemson and he’s a giver - not a taker. The best thing about Jeff Davis is his wife. She’s a great lady and a Clemson gal.”

And as far as a bucket list goes, he doesn’t really have one.

“Not really, he said, about his bucket list. “Just stay alive til football season and get to the next season.”

Ford, who has lived in Central since 1990, still goes to the Tiger games for the tailgating part and then watches the games at home on his television.

“We go over to the (Clemson football) games and tailgate with people that we know and friends,” said Ford. “Before kickoff, we come home and watch it on television. I can be home in 3 or 4 minutes. I used to stay for the games, but I don’t want to ever hear the fans second-guessing the coaches (after the game).”

Ford was asked if he would give any advice to a kid who wanted to play big-time football one day.

“At my age now (76), I don’t know if it is worth it with all the aches and pains but it is,” he said. “I would talk to the parents. I wouldn’t start too early - whether it is baseball or whatever. I think you need to play all sports. To me, it is more like a job (when you specialize in one sport). It’s expensive and it’s time consuming. You are kind of locked in. Plus, you burnout and that’s the biggest thing. Especially, if you have a bad experience.”