Bowden steps down at Clemson

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Tommy Bowden decided he’d done all he could for Clemson football, telling his athletic director Monday he’d step aside after 91/2 seasons for the future of the program.

A.D. Terry Don Phillips said his intent Monday was to have a candid, heart-to-heart with Bowden about the 3-3 team. So Phillips was surprised when Bowden offered to walk away in midseason.

“There wasn’t a gun to his head,” Phillips said. “He put it on the table for the sake of the program. I agreed.”

Bowden, 72-45, will be paid through the end of the season, then get $3.5 million as a buyout negotiated in the contract extension both sides agreed to last December.

Assistant head coach and receivers coach Dabo Swinney will take over.