The 1990 football season was the start of a new era at Clemson.
Danny Ford, who led Clemson football program to national prominence in the 1980s, resigned under pressure on January 17 and four days later was replaced by Arkansas head coach Ken Hatfield. It was just the third time in 50 years Clemson went outside the program and brought in an outsider to run the program.
Ford’s resignation was controversial to say the least. The four days that followed are still considered the most taxing in the history of the Clemson Athletic Department.