During his 12 seasons as head coach of the Clemson Tigers , he captured five Atlantic Coast Conference titles , won six bowl games , and his 1981 team completed a 12 -- 0 season with a win in the Orange Bowl and was named the consensus national champion .
During his 12 seasons as head coach of the Clemson Tigers , he captured five Atlantic Coast Conference titles , won six bowl games . 
 Ford 's 1981 team completed a 12 -- 0 season with a win in the Orange Bowl and was named the consensus national champion .