If there ever was a college football program in turmoil, Clemson has become the poster child for it.

The Tigers, who were ready to make a quarterback switch the day after their loss at Wake Forest, now are undergoing a midseason coaching change that adds even more mystery to one of the most enigmatic teams in the country.

Dabo Swinney, who came to Clemson in 2003, will guide the Tigers (3-3, 1-2 ACC) on an interim basis for the last two months of the season following the abrupt resignation of Tommy Bowden.

Bowden announced his decision to leave without completing his 10th season at Clemson four days after the loss to the Demon Deacons pretty much squashed the Tigers' hopes of winning the Atlantic Division and playing in the ACC championship game.

The Tigers, who are home against Georgia Tech in their next game, were the preseason pick to win the conference and started the year ranked ninth in the country. But an embarrassing performance in a loss to Alabama got the season started on a bad note, and losses to Maryland and Wake added to the disappointments.

Clemson hasn't won an ACC championship since 1991 and would need an unlikely set of circumstances to end that drought this year, which adds to the frustrations of nearly everyone associated with the program.

Swinney, however, is putting that behind him, saying at his first press conference that the only thing that matters is what happens from now on.

"You're looking at a coach that's got nothing to lose," Swinney said. "We're going to lay it on the line. It might be a seven-week career, but it's going to be fun."

Swinney, who coached wide receivers, wasted little time shaking up his staff. He let offensive coordinator Rob Spence go and said he will call plays with input from Billy Napier, who now will handle quarterbacks after coaching tight ends.

Grad assistant Jeff Scott will take over Swinney's wide receiver responsibilities, and another grad assistant, Mike Dooley, will coach tight ends. Scott is the son of offensive line coach Brad Scott.

Swinney did confirm that Willy Korn will still start at quarterback against the Yellow Jackets in place of senior Cullen Harper, who started every game last season and all six this year. Bowden made that move after the loss at Wake.

"It not all on Cullen Harper," Swinney said of the problems the Tigers have encountered. "But sometimes you need a spark. Sometimes you've got to make a change to see if something can create a little more energy or whatever. Willy is a scrambler, and he's got a great pocket presence and things like that.

"And sometimes it's good for a guy to take a step back and get a different perspective. Sometimes that's good, too, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit to see sometime Cullen Harper lead this football team to a great victory. I wouldn't be surprised at all."

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