1981 Clemson Tigers Football team - wikipedia 1981 Clemson Tigers Football team 1981 Clemson Tigers football Consensus national champion ACC champion Orange Bowl champion Orange Bowl, W 22 -- 15 vs. Nebraska Conference Atlantic Coast Conference Ranking Coaches No. 1 AP No. 1 1981 record 12 -- 0 ( 6 - 0 ACC ) Head coach Danny Ford ( 4th season ) Offensive coordinator Nelson Stokley ( 3rd season ) Offensive scheme Option Base defense 5 -- 2 Home stadium Memorial Stadium ( Capacity : 53,306 ) Seasons ← 1980 1982 → 1981 ACC football standings Conf Overall Team No. 1 Clemson $ 6 -- 0 -- 0 12 -- 0 -- 0 No. 9 North Carolina 5 -- -- 0 10 -- -- 0 Maryland -- -- 0 -- 6 -- Duke -- -- 0 6 -- 5 -- 0 NC State -- -- 0 -- 7 -- 0 Wake Forest -- 5 -- 0 -- 7 -- 0 Virginia 0 -- 6 -- 0 -- 10 -- 0 $ -- Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll The 1981 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers were led by head coach Danny Ford and played their home games in Memorial Stadium. Clemson finished their undefeated 1981 season with a 22 -- 15 victory over the # 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 1982 Orange Bowl, and were voted # 1 in the Associated Press ( AP ) and United Press International ( UPI ) polls. Contents 1 Achievements 2 Notable 3 Schedule 4 Depth chart 5 Game summaries 5.1 Game 1 - Clemson vs. Wofford 5.2 Game 2 - Clemson at Tulane 5.3 Game 3 - Clemson vs. # 4 Georgia 5.4 Game 4 - # 14 Clemson at Kentucky 5.5 Game 5 - # 9 Clemson vs. Virginia 5.6 Game 6 - # 6 Clemson at Duke 5.7 Game 7 - # 4 Clemson vs. N.C. State 5.8 Game 8 - # 3 Clemson vs. Wake Forest 5.9 Game 9 - # 2 Clemson at # 8 North Carolina 5.10 Game 10 - # 2 Clemson vs. Maryland 5.11 Game 11 - # 2 Clemson at South Carolina 5.12 Game 12 - # 1 Clemson vs. # 4 Nebraska ( 1982 Orange Bowl ) 6 Coaching staff 7 References Achievements The Clemson Tigers finished the 1981 season undefeated and untied ( 12 - 0 ) and were voted # 1 in the AP and UPI polls. Following the bowl win over Nebraska, the Tigers were selected as Consensus National Champions by the AP, UPI, Football Writers Association of America ( FWAA ), and National Football Foundation ( NFF ). The Clemson Tigers of the 1980s were the fifth winningest Division I college football team of the decade, with a record of 86 - 25 - 4 (. 765 ). Clemson head coach Danny Ford was awarded the 1981 Coach of the Year Award by the American Football Coaches Association ( AFCA ) and the FWAA. At the time, Coach Ford was the youngest ever to receive the award, and the youngest to have won a National Championship. In the 1982 Orange Bowl, Clemson QB Homer Jordan received Offensive Most Valuable Player honors. He earned first - team All - ACC honors in 1981, his junior season, and finished first in the ACC in passing efficiency and 12th in the nation. Jordan was an honorable mention All - American selection in 1981. He was runner - up for ACC MVP behind teammate Jeff Davis, but the team voted him MVP in 1981. Even though Jordan was injured for much of his senior season, he helped lead the 1982 team to a 9 - 1 - 1 record and number - eight national ranking. He also earned honorable mention All - American honors as a senior. He ranked as Clemson 's 18th greatest player of the century. Jordan was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 1993. A few Tigers visited the Oval Office in January 1982 Clemson LB Jeff Davis, captain of Clemson 's 1981 team, was inducted into the Clemson Ring of Honor in 1995. Davis was a Consensus All - American in 1981 when he led the Tigers in tackles. Davis was also named MVP of the ACC and was the defensive MVP of the Orange Bowl victory over Nebraska. Davis has the third best mark in career tackles in Clemson history and has also caused the most fumbles and recovered the most fumbles in team history. He was a fifth - round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played for them from 1982 - 87. He led the Buccaneers in tackles and was the captain of the team for four seasons. Along with being in the Clemson Ring of Honor, Davis was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 1989 and the South Carolina Hall of Fame in 2001. He was named to Clemson 's Centennial football team in 1996 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December 2007. Clemson DB Terry Kinard is the only Clemson player to be a unanimous All - America pick. He was the first two - time Clemson All - American defensive back and a first - team AP All - American two years in a row, the only Clemson player to accomplish that. Kinard was named the CBS National Defensive Player - of - the - Year for the 1982 season and was chosen to the USA Today All - College Football Team in the 1980s. Kinard was a two - year member of the All - ACC team. He is the all - time Clemson leader in interceptions with 17, a mark that tied the 20 - year - old ACC record. He also holds the Clemson record for tackles by a defensive back with 294 in his career. After leaving Clemson Kinard was a first - round pick of the New York Giants in 1983, and was the 10th pick overall in the draft. Sports Illustrated named him to College Football 's Centennial Team in 1999. He played with Super Bowl Champion New York Giants in 1986 and was with the club from 1983 until 1989. Kinard played in the 1988 Pro Bowl Game. Kinard played with Houston Oilers in 1990. He was named to Clemson 's Centennial team in April 1996. He ranks as Clemson 's # 3 football player of all - time was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December 2001. He was inducted into Clemson Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Ring of Honor in 2001. He was also inducted into the state of South Carolina Hall of Fame in 2002. Clemson WR Perry Tuttle was voted a first - team All - American in 1981, and set then - Clemson records for receptions and yards. Tuttle also had at least one reception during the last 32 games of his Tiger career. He still ranks fourth all - time in receptions ( 150 ), second all - time in receiving yards ( 2,534 ), second in touchdown receptions ( 17 ), and ninth in yards per reception ( 16.89 ). In the 1982 Orange Bowl, he had five receptions for 56 yards, including a 13 - yard touchdown pass. That touchdown catch was the final reception of his Clemson career and earned him a place on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Following his Clemson career, Tuttle was chosen with the 19th overall pick of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. After a three - year NFL career, Tuttle went on to the Canadian Football League where he had a six - year career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He helped lead the team to a Grey Cup Championship in 1990 and was inducted into the Winnipeg Hall of Fame in 1997. Tuttle was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 1991 and named to Clemson 's Centennial team in 1996. Notable Clemson hosted the Wofford Terriers on Saturday, September 5, 1981, in both teams ' season opener. Wofford was one of the three teams Clemson played in its first year of football competition in 1896, but had not played the Terriers since 1940. Clemson had originally scheduled Villanova University for the third game of the 1981 season ( scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 1981 ) but the Wildcats had cancelled their football program in the spring of that year ( the Wildcats restarted football in 1985, and became a full NCAA Division I - AA member in 1987 ). Wofford had an open spot in their schedule and agreed to play Clemson. Schedule Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 5 1 : 00 p.m. Wofford * Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC W 45 -- 10 59,313 September 12 8 : 30 p.m. at Tulane * Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA W 13 -- 5 45,736 September 19 1 : 00 p.m. No. 4 Georgia * Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC ( Rivalry ) ESPN W 13 -- 3 62,466 October 3 12 : 30 p.m. at Kentucky * No. 14 Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY ABC W 21 -- 3 57,453 October 10 1 : 00 p.m. Virginia No. 9 Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC W 27 -- 0 63,064 October 17 1 : 30 p.m. at Duke No. 6 Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC W 38 -- 10 26,000 October 24 1 : 00 p.m. NC State No. 4 Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC ( Textile Bowl ) W 17 -- 7 62,727 October 31 1 : 00 p.m. Wake Forest No. 3 Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC USA W 82 -- 24 60,383 November 7 12 : 30 p.m. at No. 9 North Carolina No. 2 Kenan Stadium Chapel Hill, NC ABC W 10 -- 8 53,611 November 14 1 : 00 p.m. Maryland No. 2 Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC USA W 21 -- 7 63,199 November 21 1 : 30 p.m. at South Carolina * No. 2 Williams - Brice Stadium Columbia, SC ( Rivalry ) ESPN W 29 -- 13 56,971 January 1, 1982 8 : 00 p.m. vs. No. 4 Nebraska * No. 1 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL ( Orange Bowl ) NBC W 22 -- 15 72,748 * Non-conference game. Homecoming. Rankings from AP Poll. All times are in Eastern Time. Depth chart Defense FS Terry Kinard Billy Davis WLB SLB ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Cat Tim Childers Jeff Suttle CB Anthony Rose Randy Learn Bandit DT NT DT DE Andy Headen Jeff Bryant William Perry Dan Benish Bill Smith Mark Richardson Jim Scott William Devane Ray Brown Joe Glenn CB Hollis Hall Rod McSwain Offense WR Perry Tuttle Jeff Stockstill LT LG RG RT Brad Fisher James Farr Tony Berryhill Brian Clark Lee Nanney Alex Hudson Brian Butcher Cary Massaro Bob Mayberry Gary Brown TE Bubba Diggs Jim Wurst WR Jerry Gaillard Frank Magwood QB Homer Jordan Mike Gasque Key Reserves RB Brendon Crite QB Anthony Parete WR RB Duke Holloman FB Craig Crawford RB Cliff Austin Chuck McSwain FB Jeff McCall Kevin Mack Special Teams PK Donald Igwebuike PK Bob Paulling P Dale Hatcher P Richard Hendley KR Perry Tuttle PR Billy Davis LS Scott Williams H Anthony Parete Game summaries Game 1 - Clemson vs. Wofford SCORING SUMMARY Clemson 14 14 14 45 Wofford 0 0 7 10 WOF - Hairston 24 FG CLE - Igwebuike 52 FG CLE - Tuttle 80 pass from Jordan ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Jordan 14 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Magwood 11 pass from Jordan ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Jordan 3 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - C. McSwain 5 run ( Igwebuike kick ) WOF - Derrick 15 pass from Thompson ( Hairston kick ) CLE - McCall 10 run ( Paulling run ) Game 2 - Clemson at Tulane SCORING SUMMARY Clemson 0 7 0 6 13 Tulane 5 0 0 0 5 TU - Manalla 46 FG TU - Safety, Hatcher falls on bad snap in end zone CLE - Austin 4 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Paulling 31 FG CLE - Paulling 37 FG Game 3 - Clemson vs. # 4 Georgia SCORING SUMMARY Clemson 0 10 0 13 # 4 Georgia 0 0 0 CLE - Tuttle 8 pass from Jordan ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Igwebuike 38 FG UGA - Butler 40 FG CLE - Igwebuike 29 FG Game 4 - # 14 Clemson at Kentucky SCORING SUMMARY # 14 Clemson 0 0 14 7 21 Kentucky 0 0 0 UK - Griggs 40 FG CLE - Mack 11 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Jordan 3 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - McSwain 3 run ( Paulling kick ) Game 5 - # 9 Clemson vs. Virginia SCORING SUMMARY # 9 Clemson 7 14 27 Virginia 0 0 0 0 0 CLE - Igwebuike 22 FG CLE - Austin 42 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - McCall 5 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Austin 1 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Igwebuike 32 FG Game 6 - # 6 Clemson at Duke SCORING SUMMARY # 6 Clemson 7 17 14 0 38 Duke 0 7 0 10 CLE - Crite 4 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Paulling 20 FG CLE - Austin 15 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Jordan 1 run ( Paulling kick ) DUK - McKinney 29 FG CLE - Austin 2 run ( Paulling kick ) DUK - Jones 21 pass from Bennett ( McKinney kick ) CLE - Tuttle 29 pass from Jordan ( Paulling kick ) Game 7 - # 4 Clemson vs. N.C. State SCORING SUMMARY # 4 Clemson 7 0 7 17 N.C. State 7 0 0 0 7 NCS - Lawson 13 run ( ? kick ) CLE - Igwebuike 39 FG CLE - Austin 1 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - McCall 15 run ( Paulling kick ) Game 8 - # 3 Clemson vs. Wake Forest SCORING SUMMARY # 3 Clemson 14 35 20 13 82 Wake Forest 7 7 7 24 CLE - Austin 4 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Austin 3 run ( Paulling kick ) WF - Duckett 17 pass from Schofield ( Denfield kick ) CLE - C. McSwain 1 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Mack 10 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Jordan 7 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - McCall 24 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - C. McSwain 16 run ( Paulling kick ) WF - Cunningham 1 run ( Denfield kick ) CLE - Tuttle 75 pass from Jordan ( L. Brown kick failed ) WF - Denfield 22 FG CLE - Tuttle 25 pass from Gasque ( L. Brown kick ) CLE - C. McSwain 12 run ( L. Brown kick ) CLE - Holloman 3 run ( L. Brown kick ) CLE - Crawford 72 run ( L. Brown kick failed ) WF - Duckett 5 pass from Schofield ( Denfield ) Game 9 - # 2 Clemson at # 8 North Carolina SCORING SUMMARY # 2 Clemson 0 7 0 10 # 8 North Carolina 0 5 0 8 UNC - Barwick 22 FG CLE - McCall 7 run ( Paulling kick ) UNC - Safety, Barlow blocks punt out of end zone CLE - Igwebuike ? FG UNC - Barwick 26 FG Game 10 - # 2 Clemson vs. Maryland SCORING SUMMARY # 2 Clemson 7 14 0 0 21 Maryland 0 0 0 7 7 CLE - Tuttle 14 pass from Jordan ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Tuttle 5 pass from Jordan ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Gaillard 12 pass from Jordan ( Paulling kick ) MD - Wysocki 7 run ( Atkinson kick ) Game 11 - # 2 Clemson at South Carolina SCORING SUMMARY # 2 Clemson 6 9 7 7 29 South Carolina 7 0 6 0 13 USC - Wright 1 run ( Fleetwood kick ) CLE - Rembert recovered blocked punt ( Paulling kick failed ) CLE - Paulling 24 FG CLE - Jordan 11 run ( pass failed ) USC - Smith 10 pass from Beckham ( run failed ) CLE - C. McSwain 1 run ( Paulling kick ) CLE - C. McSwain 23 run ( Paulling kick ) Game 12 - # 1 Clemson vs. # 4 Nebraska ( 1982 Orange Bowl ) SCORING SUMMARY # 1 Clemson 6 6 10 0 22 # 4 Nebraska 7 0 0 8 15 CLE - Igwebuike 41 FG NEB - Steels 25 pass from Rozier ( Seibel kick ) CLE - Igwebuike 41 FG CLE - Austin 2 run ( pass failed ) CLE - Tuttle 13 pass from Jordan ( Paulling kick ) CLE - Igwebuike 36 FG NEB - Craig 26 run ( Craig run ) Coaching staff Danny Ford - Head Coach Tom Harper - Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line Nelson Stokley - Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Willie Anderson - Defensive Line Steve Hale - Defensive Ends Les Herrin - Linebackers Curley Hallman / Rick Whitt - Defensive Backs Larry Van Der Heyden / Buddy King - Offensive Line Rex Kipps - Tight Ends Chuck Reedy - Running Backs Lawson Holland - Wide Receivers George Dostal - Strength and Conditioning Fred Hoover - Head Athletic Trainer Bert Henderson - Assistant Trainer Bob Easley - Student Trainer Joe Franks - Student Trainer Greg Craig - Student Trainer Vann Yates - Student Trainer Jay Bennett - Student Trainer Chip Winchester - Student Trainer Len Gough - Equipment Manager George Caine - Graduate Assistant References Jump up ^ Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., page 80. Jump up ^ Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., page 73. Jump up ^ Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., page 395. Jump up ^ 1981 National Championship Season, p. 130. Accessed 2009 - 09 - 03. Archived 2009 - 09 - 05. ^ Jump up to : Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., page 356. Jump up ^ Clemson Tigers Player Profile - Homer Jordan Jump up ^ Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., page 221. Jump up ^ Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine., page 235. Jump up ^ College Football Hall of Fame Jump up ^ Clemson Tigers Player Profile - Perry Tuttle Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ The ACC.com - Looking Back... A Walk Through Clemson 's 1981 National Championship Season Archived 2007 - 10 - 22 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ 1981 National Championship Season, p. 128. Accessed 2009 - 09 - 03. Archived 2009 - 09 - 05. Jump up ^ 1981 Clemson Tigers Football Roster Jump up ^ Huskers.com - 1982 Orange Bowl Jump up ^ 1981 National Championship Season, p. 128 - 129. Accessed 2009 - 09 - 03. Archived 2009 - 09 - 05. 1981 Clemson Tigers football team -- consensus national champions Dan Benish Jeff Bryant Jeff Davis Bubba Diggs K.D. Dunn Dale Hatcher Andy Headen Donald Igwebuike Homer Jordan Terry Kinard Kevin Mack Chuck McSwain Rod McSwain William Perry Johnny Rembert Mark Richardson Perry Tuttle Head coach : Danny Ford Assistant coaches : Curley Hallman Tom Harper Chuck Reedy Nelson Stokley Clemson Tigers football Venues Bowman Field ( 1900 -- 1914 ) Riggs Field ( 1915 -- 1941 ) Memorial Stadium ( 1942 -- present ) Bowls & rivalries Bowl games Auburn Boston College ( O'Rourke -- McFadden Trophy ) Florida State Georgia Georgia Tech North Carolina State ( Textile Bowl ) South Carolina Culture & lore The Tiger `` Tiger Rag '' Marching band Clemson -- South Carolina football brawl People Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders Seasons 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 2016 2017 2018 National championship seasons in bold Clemson Tigers Teams Baseball seasons Men 's basketball seasons Women 's basketball seasons Football seasons Men 's soccer Women 's soccer Softball Women 's tennis Rivalries South Carolina Culture & lore The Tiger `` Tiger Rag '' Clemson University Tiger Band Coaches and players Brad Brownell ( Men 's basketball ) Audra Smith ( Women 's basketball ) Monte Lee ( Baseball ) Mike Noonan ( Men 's soccer ) Ed Radwanski ( Women 's soccer ) Dabo Swinney ( Football ) Baseball head coaches Basketball head coaches Football head coaches MLB players NBA players NFL draftees Venues Doug Kingsmore Stadium ( Baseball ) Jervey Gymnasium ( Volleyball ) Littlejohn Coliseum ( Basketball ) Hoke Sloan Tennis Center ( Tennis ) Lake Hartwell ( Rowing ) McHugh Natatorium ( Diving ) Memorial Stadium ( Football ) Riggs Field ( Soccer ) Rock Norman Track & Field Complex ( Track & Field ) Walker Golf Course ( Golf ) Conference affiliations Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association ( 1896 -- 1922 ) Southern Conference ( 1922 -- 1953 ) Atlantic Coast Conference ( 1953 -- present ) National championships 1981 Football 1984 Men 's Soccer 1987 Men 's Soccer 2003 Men 's Golf 2016 Football College football national champions ( poll era ) 1936 -- 1949 1936 : Minnesota ( AP, DS ) / Pittsburgh ( BS, HS ) 1937 : Pittsburgh ( AP, BS, DS, HS ) / California 1938 : TCU ( AP ) / Tennessee ( BS, HS ) / Notre Dame ( DS ) 1939 : Texas A&M ( AP, BS, HS ) / USC ( DS ) 1940 : Minnesota ( AP, BS, DS, HS ) / Stanford 1941 : Minnesota ( AP, BS ) / Alabama ( HS ) 1942 : Ohio State ( AP, BS ) / Georgia ( HS ) 1943 : Notre Dame 1944 : Army ( AP, BS, HS ) / Ohio State 1945 : Army ( AP, BS, HS ) / Oklahoma A&M ( AFCA ) 1946 : Notre Dame ( AP ) / Army ( BS, HS ) 1947 : Notre Dame ( AP ) / Michigan ( AP ( post-bowl ), BS, HS ) 1948 : Michigan 1949 : Notre Dame 1950s 1950 : Oklahoma 1951 : Tennessee ( AP, Coaches ) / Michigan State / Maryland / Georgia Tech ( BS ) / Illinois ( BS ) 1952 : Michigan State ( AP, Coaches, BS ) / Georgia Tech ( INS ) 1953 : Maryland ( AP, Coaches, INS ) / Notre Dame ( BS ) 1954 : Ohio State ( AP, BS, INS ) / UCLA ( FWAA, Coaches ) 1955 : Oklahoma 1956 : Oklahoma 1957 : Auburn ( AP ) / Ohio State ( Coaches, BS, FWAA, INS ) 1958 : LSU ( AP, Coaches, BS, FN ) / Iowa ( FWAA ) 1959 : Syracuse 1960s 1960 : Minnesota ( AP, Coaches, FN, NFF ) / Ole Miss ( FWAA ) / Iowa BS ) 1961 : Alabama ( AP, Coaches, FN, NFF ) / Ohio State ( FWAA ) 1962 : USC 1963 : Texas 1964 : Alabama ( AP, Coaches ) / Arkansas ( FWAA ) / Notre Dame ( FN, NFF ) 1965 : Alabama ( AP, FWAA ) / Michigan State ( Coaches, FN, FWAA, NFF ) 1966 : Notre Dame ( AP, Coaches, FN, FWAA, NFF ) / Michigan State ( NFF ) 1967 : USC 1968 : Ohio State 1969 : Texas 1970s 1970 : Nebraska ( AP, FN, FWAA ) / Texas ( NFF, Coaches ) / Ohio State ( NFF ) 1971 : Nebraska 1972 : USC 1973 : Notre Dame ( AP, FN, FWAA, NFF ) / Alabama ( Coaches ) 1974 : Oklahoma ( AP, FN ) / USC ( FWAA, NFF, Coaches ) 1975 : Oklahoma 1976 : Pittsburgh 1977 : Notre Dame 1978 : Alabama ( AP, FWAA, NFF ) / USC ( Coaches, FN ) 1979 : Alabama 1980 -- 1991 1980 : Georgia 1981 : Clemson 1982 : Penn State 1983 : Miami ( FL ) 1984 : BYU 1985 : Oklahoma 1986 : Penn State 1987 : Miami ( FL ) 1988 : Notre Dame 1989 : Miami ( FL ) 1990 : Colorado ( AP, FN, FWAA, NFF, USAT / CNN ) / Georgia Tech ( Coaches ) 1991 : Miami ( FL ) ( AP ) / Washington ( Coaches, FN, FWAA, UPI / NFF ) Atlantic Coast Conference football champions Duke & Maryland ( 1953 ) Duke ( 1954 ) Duke & Maryland ( 1955 ) Clemson ( 1956 ) NC State ( 1957 ) Clemson ( 1958 ) Clemson ( 1959 ) Duke ( 1960 ) Duke ( 1961 ) Duke ( 1962 ) North Carolina & NC State ( 1963 ) NC State ( 1964 ) Clemson & NC State ( 1965 ) Clemson ( 1966 ) Clemson ( 1967 ) NC State ( 1968 ) South Carolina ( 1969 ) Wake Forest ( 1970 ) North Carolina ( 1971 ) North Carolina ( 1972 ) NC State ( 1973 ) Maryland ( 1974 ) Maryland ( 1975 ) Maryland ( 1976 ) North Carolina ( 1977 ) Clemson ( 1978 ) NC State ( 1979 ) North Carolina ( 1980 ) Clemson ( 1981 ) Clemson ( 1982 ) Maryland ( 1983 ) Maryland ( 1984 ) Maryland ( 1985 ) Clemson ( 1986 ) Clemson ( 1987 ) Clemson ( 1988 ) Duke & Virginia ( 1989 ) Georgia Tech ( 1990 ) Clemson ( 1991 ) Florida State ( 1992 ) Florida State ( 1993 ) Florida State ( 1994 ) Florida State & Virginia ( 1995 ) Florida State ( 1996 ) Florida State ( 1997 ) Florida State & Georgia Tech ( 1998 ) Florida State ( 1999 ) Florida State ( 2000 ) Maryland ( 2001 ) Florida State ( 2002 ) Florida State ( 2003 ) Virginia Tech ( 2004 ) Florida State ( 2005 ) Wake Forest ( 2006 ) Virginia Tech ( 2007 ) Virginia Tech ( 2008 ) Georgia Tech ( 2009 ) vacated Virginia Tech ( 2010 ) Clemson ( 2011 ) Florida State ( 2012 ) Florida State ( 2013 ) Florida State ( 2014 ) Clemson ( 2015 ) Clemson ( 2016 ) Clemson ( 2017 ) National championships in bold Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1981_Clemson_Tigers_football_team&oldid=826143254 '' Categories : 1981 Atlantic Coast Conference football season Clemson Tigers football seasons College football national champions Atlantic Coast Conference football champion seasons Orange Bowl champion seasons College football undefeated seasons 1981 in sports in South Carolina Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links NCAA team season with no sport parameter Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 17 February 2018, at 13 : 10. 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Question: who was the clemson head football coach when they won the 1981 national championship
Answer: Danny Ford