Q/A with Will Vandervort of The Clemson Insider | Part I

College football may or may not happen, but regardless of the coronavirus pandemic, Clemson coming to Notre Dame in November is still a hot topic across the sport. 

It very well could be a battle of top 10 programs, if not top five programs and a win could have long-term implications for the Irish. 

We caught up with our guy Will Vandervort from TheClemsonInsider.com to get his thoughts on some hot topics and to get a feel for how Clemson looks at the Notre Dame program. 

What is the perception of the Notre Dame program from a Clemson perspective? And a Southern one if it's different?

Vandervort: "I feel people down here think Notre Dame is a good program. But right now, they don't look at them as an elite program. I feel that would be the No. 1 perception. They respect Notre Dame for what it has done in the past, but I think it is a little similar to the spot Clemson was in before Dabo Swinney took over. It's a good program that has had some good wins, but until it gets over the hump and becomes a consistent contender again, and wins those tough games, fans down here don't view Notre Dame like they do Alabama, Ohio State or Georgia."

Some said Notre Dame gained national respect following a loss at UGA, did you feel that was true living in the region?

Vandervort: "I didn't hear that down here. A lot of Georgia fans are on the local sports radio station here a lot. For those up there that don't realize this, Clemson's and Georgia's campuses are only 73 miles apart. So, I like to think I have a good feel on the narrative coming from their fans, and from what I understand, they felt like they left a lot of points on the field and should have never been in the situation where Notre Dame had a chance to win it at the end."

Following the Cotton Bowl, did Notre Dame lose respect in your eyes, or was Clemson just that good in 2018?

Vandervort: "No, I don't think they lost respect. I think Clemson fans felt very confident going into that game because they knew they had a special team with some super talent on the defensive front. They just felt like, overall, they were a way better program than Notre Dame that year and that they would take care of business, which we all know they did."

In watching the Irish since 2015, do you think they can jump to a consistent top-five level similar to Clemson following 2015?

Vandervort: "I have my doubts. I think it starts at the top. I just don't know if Brian Kelly can get them to that point. I think he is a good coach, but I don't know if he is a great CEO of a program. I feel like he has his hands too much in the cookie jar when it comes to his assistant coaches and he does not let them coach. Dabo Swinney has complete trust in his coaches and he lets them coach. He only jumps in to help from time to time with his offensive coaches, but he never takes over. He does not touch the defense. He lets Brent Venables call the show over there. He has complete trust in Brent. I don't know if Brian Kelly has that in him. Maybe he does, but I have not seen it yet."

Recruits and their families feel Clemson and Notre Dame are similar in a lot of ways? Do you agree/why?

Vandervort: "Yes and no. I think the two towns are very much alike, though I have never been to South Bend. However, I have heard a lot of great things about South Bend and the people there from guys like you, Matt, and Tim Bourret, Clemson's retired Sports Information Director, who graduated from Notre Dame. I have also heard that from several others. Clemson is a lot like that, the people are great here and the town is great.

“However, I don't see any similarities in how Brian Kelly runs his program and how Dabo runs his. Granted, I never have worked with Coach Kelly on a professional basis, but from what I hear about Dabo from players, their parents, high school coaches and then his own coaches, he is just a different guy. There is no one like him and he just connects with the kids, the parents and the high school coaches like no one else." 

Clemson was in a similar position in 2015, where they were on the cusp of being great after a few very solid years. How did they get over the hump, or was it a product of having DeShaun Watson?

Vandervort: "I think it was the product off having Deshaun Watson, Christian Wilkins, Ben Boulware and Wayne Gallman, all guys who were great college players and developed into even better leaders. I think at Clemson, 2015 was just when everything started to come together at a higher level. Venables was starting his fourth year as DC and his players really started to grasp his system. There was already a lot of continuity on the coaching staff and that trickled down to a veteran team that had a very talented quarterback.

“Everyone was on the same page. The culture at Clemson is just different than everywhere else. It is hard to explain. You just have to see how it works behind closed doors to get an understanding of it. I have had that opportunity to see that when I worked in the athletic department for four years. And trust me, it is unique."

Stay tuned for Part II with Vandervort in the coming days as we asked him about the potential of Clemson fans taking over Notre Dame Stadium and more.