CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson head football coach Danny Ford, who led the Tigers to a national title but came under fire for the second NCAA inquiry into the football program within a decade, submitted his resignation Thursday.
'Clemson University and I have reached full agreement as to the terms of my resignation and compensation,' Ford said in a letter to athletic director Bobby Robinson.
'I shall cooperate and participate with Clemson in the responses to the NCAA investigation. I deny any wrongdoing on my part, and I am confident that an impartial review of the facts will so prove.'
Under terms of his agreement with the school, Ford will receive $190,000 a year for three to five years, depending on whether he takes another NCAA Division I head coaching job. The school also will pay off the $100,000 mortgage on his South Carolina farm.
'The decision to accept Coach Ford's resignation is one that I approve,' said Clemson President Max Lennon. 'As president of Clemson University, my priority in all matters must be to act in the best interest of the university.'
Historically, the NCAA has reacted favorably when schools under investigation for rules violations have fired coaches in targeted programs or persuaded them to resign.
Clemson officials said the search for a new coach would begin immediately, and a selection is likely within a week to 10 days. Those considered possible candidates to succeed Ford include Georgia Tech's Bobby Ross, John Mackovic of Illinois, Dick Sheridan of North Carolina State and Furman's Jimmy Satterfield.
In accepting Ford's resignation, Robinson thanked the coach for his contributions to the football program but said he and Ford had 'honest differences of opinion on certain basic aspects of the football program.'
'A separation under any terms would be difficult. An amicable parting is certainly less painful for all involved,' Robinson said. 'That is why we felt it in the university's best interest to agree to a fair settlement under the terms of Coach Ford's contract and bring the matter to a close.'
The NCAA has ordered Clemson to respond to 14 alleged rules violations between 1984 and 1988, including a claim that a member of the football coaching staff directed cash payments to players.
Clemson was placed on two years of NCAA probation in 1982 for violations that occurred during Ford's tenure and that of his predecessor, Charlie Pell.
Ford, 41, took over the Clemson program in December 1978 when Pell resigned before the team's Gator Bowl appearance to become coach at Florida. Over the next 11 seasons, Ford compiled a record of 96-29-4, leading the Tigers to seven bowl appearances and a national title in 1981. Clemson also won five Atlantic Coast Conference titles under Ford.
Ford played his collegiate football at Alabama under the legendary 'Bear' Bryant and remained at the school as a graduate assistant and full-time assistant coach until 1974, when he became an assistant to Jimmy Sharpe at Virginia Tech.
In 1977, Ford became offensive line coach at Clemson. Just 23 games later, he was the youngest Division I coach in the nation at age 30.
At the time of his resignation, Ford was the division's fourth-winningest active coach, and his victory total at Clemson trailed only that of Frank Howard, who compiled 165 wins in 30 years.
Last season, Ford led the Tigers to a 10-2 record, including a victory over West Virginia in the Gator Bowl.
