By Ed McGranahan.

What would you give to see Jim Barker’s list of potential candidates to replace Terry Don Phillips?

You know it exists. Barker was an architect before he was president at Clemson University, which means he’s probably creative and passionate, analytical, methodical and meticulous. He’s capable of thinking outside the so-called “box” without losing sight of the horizon.

Barker has had plenty of time to compile a list. Probably more than once he scribbled a name on a napkin then shoved it into a jacket pocket. For at least a couple of years he has known that the day would come when he would dust off the crumbs.

Two years ago Barker conducted an evaluation of Phillips’ performance. Part of the process was to interview people with whom Phillips interacted. The process became public and it was perceived as an attempt to justify dismissing Phillips. Shortly before Barker presented his recommendation to the Board of Trustees, a couple “media” outlets reported Phillips had been fired. Phillips’ wife was having coffee at a local restaurant that morning. People approached to offer comfort. She had no idea of what they were speaking.

Rather than knuckle to the shrillness of the lunatic fringe, Barker stood by the conclusions of his evaluation and told the Board that a change was not necessary.

Phillips continued move forward even though he declined to have his contract renewed. At the conclusion of an interview on the state of athletics a few days later, he confided that this would be his final contract as athletic director at Clemson.

Several things have transpired since that day which should buttress Phillips’ legacy Clemson went forward with a capital campaign to further enhance its athletic facilities including the completion of the occulus and museum at the West End Zone and covering a football practice field for rainy days such as these.

Phillips survived the sharp criticism he received for ending the swim programs, which may soon be forgotten when the new women’s golf team quickly leaps onto the national stage. And he’s set the table in continued success in football and basketball.

Ideally, Phillips would be around to enjoy some of what he has wrought, but during a conversation at the ACC Kickoff in Greensboro, I got the sense he was ready. We talked mostly about careers and family. At some point the money and the status pale to the sacrifices of time and privacy. Phillips has grandchildren he rarely sees and an adult son that needs periodic attention.

As we parted that evening, I was sure that he wouldn’t be at Clemson much longer.

There are those who believe that it will be a change past due. I disagree. Phillips has been the most scrutinized and transparent and probably the most honest athletic director in Clemson history, and as a result the most unfairly criticized.

When he first suggested moving the South Carolina game to the Saturday after Thanksgiving, you’d thought he wanted to change the words to the alma mater. The addition of a 12th regular season game made it moot.

Imagine the meltdown had there been message boards when Bobby Robinson fired Danny Ford or that grassroots campaign to humiliate Ken Hatfield. Can you imagine Frank Howard surviving for 30 years in this politically correct culture?

Phillips admits mistakes, but he’d like to think that he leaves Clemson more financially fit than when he arrived, that he leaves some of the best facilities in the country and that the pieces are in place for long-term success in football.

Barker’s job now is to find a person that can build on Phillips’ foundation, tend the field and harvest the crop. He hasn’t shared his list with me, but my guess is that you might be surprised as the search begins to percolate that few if any of the names have ties to Clemson.

The next athletic director must be prepared to deal with a new landscape in college sports that will demand a premium on maintaining a firm grip on institutional control while navigating an environment of more stringent academic standards. Barker likes educators, learned and scholarly people, which was why Phillips’ background in law, education and football.

The next athletic director also needs to have a shrewd business mind with adroit skill as a fundraiser and have a clear understanding that — ultimately — the product must be competitive at the highest levels of college sports.