Now & Then: Danny Ford

As we return to the fascinating world of past and present pics of our favorite ACC personalities, our focus today turns to former Clemson coach Danny Ford...

Now


Then


Ah, that "Then" photo. Danny Ford became the head coach at Clemson at the ripe young age of 30, guiding them to the national title in 1981 at 33 (extremely impressive considering I'm 34 and spend a great deal of time typing in a blog while in my boxers). Alas, that "Then" pic revealed the shadier side of coach Ford, as he candidly showed those new recruits how to carry the bundles of cash offered to them.

As for the "Now" photo, apparently Danny Ford's dad showed up at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Tigers '81 national championship.

Now & Then: Jeff Jagodzinski

The latest edition of this feature profiles the new Boston College skipper...

Now


Then (unknown date, but I'm guessing late-1980s)


Ok, so maybe Jags wasn't the best subject I could come up with for this edition, but I'm realizing that it's a bit of treasure hunt just to locate old pics of our favorite ACC personalities.

Anyway, Then-Jeff has that look we all have (or had) in our early-20s...that look of hope, optimism, stupidity. Now-Jeff has the presence of someone who's been through the ringer a time or two...confident, poised, guarded. And is it just me or is his hairline a tad fuller now than in the younger photo? Sweet 'plugs!

Now & Then: Al Groh

In the third episode of this smash-hit series, we present current and past photos of Charlottesville's very own Chess Grand Master, Al Groh...

Now


Then (1994)


I was just as surprised as you are by that "then" photo, but this Google interweb search stuff has to be 100% accurate, right? I must admit that I have a new fondness for Coach Groh, for without him, we would have been denied the uproarious 1980s treasure Beverly Hills Buntz.

*kudos to EDSBS, for they're the reason Det. Sipowicz makes an appearance in the Al Groh image search

Now & Then: Chuck Amato

More tomfoolery with past and present pics of our favorite ACC personalities...

Now


Then (1993)


Chuck Dynamite appears to have aged quite well in the last 14 years. That said, it's plainly evident that the '93 photo is from his pre-implant days, and that former Seminole WR Wayne Messam (seated) shares my uneasy discomfort with those shorts.

Now & Then: Ralph Friedgen

Introducing a new semi-regular feature on ACC Football Report: now & then photos starring your favorite ACC football personalities. Our inaugural edition features Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen....


Now


Then (1983)


To make jokes would be juvenile, and just way too easy. But sweet mother of pearl, it's been a hard 24 years for Ralph. The man was fairly buff and athletic back in '83 (and gloriously mustachioed as well), while today he's just....very, very, very not buff and athletic (but thankfully clean-shaven). And let's keep in mind that Fridge has looked like his "Now" picture for over 10 years, so his change in appearance really happened over about a 10-15 year span.

Fascinating, but troubling.