The Clemson Tigers enjoyed a comeback victory over the SEC’s Kentucky Wildcats in today’s Gator Bowl, with one Clemson coach seemingly taking a shot at the SEC afterwards.
According to David Hood of TigerNet.com, Clemson assistant Chris Rumph could be heard yelling “S-E-C!” as he and passing game coordinator Kyle Richardson left the coaches’ box. The two enjoyed a laugh as they left.
“The Clemson coaches leave the box behind us screaming and cheering, led by Chris Rumph and Kyle Richardson, with Rumph yelling, “SEC!!! SEC!!!” And then laughing,” Hood wrote.
Football fans were not amused to see Clemson’s coaches celebrating so much after such a narrow win over an SEC team that doesn’t even rank as one of the conference’s best:
The Clemson coaches leave the box behind us screaming and cheering, led by Chris Rumph and Kyle Richardson, with Rumph yelling, “SEC!!! SEC!!!” And then laughing
— David Hood (@MDavidHood) December 29, 2023
“My oh my has Clemson come a long way down. From winning titles to throwing shade at a conference they claim to not care about. This is where Clemson is now. This is a program that now loses to Duke and beats Kentucky by 3,” one user replied.
“After beating the 4th best team in the SEC!!!! Isn’t Clemson supposed to be in the playoffs every year. Personally I take this as if Kentucky basketball beat a Virginia tech in the nit tournament and we started chanting ACC….a new low for the program that’s going,” wrote another.
“Honestly? From a playoff Contender to squeaking past mid-pack SEC Kentucky?? And you’re gloating??” a third wrote.
Maybe the Tigers will be back in the College Football Playoff next year. But they really haven’t been themselves ever since Trevor Lawrence left…