Blood-and-mud defense defined the last golden age in Death Valley, so it wasn’t until Tommy Bowden and Rich Rodriguez introduced a sleek, pedal-to-the floor offense that the Clemson fan base was seduced.

Though the concepts were refined and expanded by Dabo Swinney and Chad Morris, and offensive records fell like leaves in autumn, visible reminders that defense ultimately won Clemson’s national championship in 1981 are everywhere.

And Swinney wanted that, too.

When Brent Venables arrived three years ago as defensive coordinator, he wasn’t absolutely certain how he’d be received. The resume was impressive, and he looked the part with that square jaw and deep, unflinching gaze that could melt the biggest lineman.

“It’s your job as the coach to get them to buy in,” Venables said after Clemson’s third preseason practice Thursday. “That first year you’re trying to learn what your strengths are and what your weaknesses are and where guys are mentally.”

Venables wasn’t absolutely certain, for example, who might be the defensive rainmakers. Vic Beasley was about to spend an entire season on defense for the first time. Stephone Anthony was one of four highly regarded linebackers trying to carve out some playing time as sophomores, and Grady Jarrett was the shortest guy with the biggest heart in a forest of linemen.

Three seasons in it all came to fruition in 2014. Clemson led the nation in 11 defensive categories and ranked top 20 in nine others, helping keep the team in every game despite an uneven offensive performance.

Venables agreed that 2015 may be the start of a new chapter, a turn of the page at the very least. The challenges aren’t at all comparable to his first season.

“You have a foundation, both coaches and returning players that understand the system to varying degrees and the culture of the expectations – how you study, how you work, how you compete,” he said.

Replacing eight starters shouldn’t be difficult, particularly with some experience at every position.

Not only did they respond they saw results. Venables said success validated the plan.

“You got that out of the way so I think that having success always can contribute to more focus, a better work ethic and willingness to learn,” he said. “They can demand more of themselves if they want to be successful. So, it’s good.”

Swinney believes the defense has a chance to be good again particularly once Venables can groom the depth necessary to get through a season. Clemson coaches are confident in the players they’ve recruited. And Venables said the newcomers were physically prepared to compete when practice began this week.

Yet even for the best there’s a learning curve. If nothing else an acclimation to the speed and intensity none of them have known.

The secondary, on paper the unit’s strength, should be populated largely by experience though freshman Mark Fields might push for playing time.

Losing all that experience on the line created bigger opportunities for veterans like D.J. Reader, Carlos Watkins, Kevin Dodd and Scott Pagano, but it may be difficult to keep Albert Huggins and Christian Wilkins on the bench.

In both instances, the understanding of what it took those three years to become a nationally recognized defense becomes critical. Venables said he was pleased with how the older players seemed willing to mentor the younger.

“I think any really good football team and any good organization, whether it’s a Fortune 500 company or it’s a football program, it’s driven by good leadership,” he said. “It’s successful with good leadership.”

Still, Venables conceded, even when you think you know all there is to know, there are surprises.

“By the first game you think you have a pretty solid idea about some players,” he said. “Then some guys come on and become a pleasant surprise, so to speak.”

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