I thought Fulmer fired (forced resignation) Randy Sanders. Blamed him for the offense falling off, then brought in the Clawfense. Sanders went to KY and took Randal Cobb with him. Won NC at Florida State coaching that idiot Jamis Winston. Sanders is a better coach than Fullmer, IMO.
Firing Sanders was unfortunately after the damage was done, and Phil himself fell into deep water. Hiring Clawson was a Hail Mary, too little, too late. Granted Sanders didn’t screw up the NC game, but offensive production steadily fell all the way up to Fulmer’s first losing season in ‘05. Phil could have pulled in a high-profile OC to groom for the job when he stepped down, but he was afraid of hiring someone that would subvert his authority just like he did Johnny’s.