Clemson athletes feel coach's departure

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Star Clemson vaulter Mitch Greeley is focused squarely on his chance this weekend to make the U.S. Olympic team. Part of him, though, can't help reflecting back on the Tigers upcoming change.

Longtime Clemson men's track and field coach Bob Pollock announced his retirement last week. He was expected to conclude his duties after two of his team's top performers, Greeley and sprinter Travis Padgett, finish their events at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials that start Friday.

"I have loved having coach Pollock as a head coach," Greeley said by phone from his hotel room in Eugene, Ore., site of the U.S. trials. "He had a desire to win and I really enjoyed working with him. It's going to be sad to see him go."

Over his 20-year career, Pollock brought Clemson national recognition. He coached two Olympic gold medalists: American Shawn Crawford won the 200 meters in Athens four years ago and Carlton Chambers was part of Canada's winning 4x100-meter relay team in Atlanta in 1996.

Pollock's teams won 21 Atlantic Coast Conference championships (11 indoor, nine outdoor, one cross country) and he was named ACC coach of the year 19 times.

However, he steps down just two months after details became public of a state inquiry that alleged he and assistant coach Charles Foster illegally deposited funds form campus track events into personal accounts. Pollock has denied doing anything wrong. In April, a state prosecutor decided not to bring charges, in part because Pollock and Foster had paid back the money in question.

News of Pollock's investigation came out last summer, although the details of the completed report from the State Law Enforcement Division were not released until this past April.

Greeley and Padgett said none of it was a distraction for Clemson's runners, jumpers and throwers this season. "It was in the newspaper, but I don't think it affected anyone's performance," Greeley said.

Pollock said by phone Thursday he'd miss Clemson and its athletes. "Personally, I don't want to get out of coaching and say, 'Gosh, I'm retiring from this position,'" he said. "I feel like I've got a niche and possibly go into administration as well."

Padgett said he'll also miss having Pollock and Foster around. It's expected that Foster won't return to the Tigers, either, although Clemson's next head track coach will have the say on assistants.

"I learned from both of them," said Padgett, whose first 100 meter heat is Saturday.

South Carolina track coach Curtis Frye said his state rival Pollock is a talented, intelligent coach who will find another program to lead.

"All of us have some errors in our lives we make and I don't judge him off of one mistake, whether I know what the conditions are or not," Frye said. "We need coach Pollock in the sport. I hope he rebounds."

Pollock's departure won't fully affect Greeley and Padgett, two seniors whose college careers are complete. Where the change will be felt most acutely, the athletes say, is with Tiger track and field returnees and incoming prospects.

Clemson's team may not be as strong as it could be as athletes adjust to new leadership, Greeley said.

The Tiger track team has gone through hardship before, both Greeley and Padgett say. Two years ago, athletes and staff dealt with the loss of assistant coach Jarrett Foster, killed in a personal watercraft accident on Lake Keowee not far from campus.

Clemson administrators will find a good coach, Padgett said, and the program will continue its strong history. But it won't be easy.

"It's going to be a big loss to Clemson," Padgett said. "It's going to take a lot to fill his shoes."