As a star linebacker at Clemson, Ben Boulware was an intense and passionate competitor, and that same type of passion and fire is carrying over to his new role as the Tigers’ linebackers coach.

But now that he’s a coach, and no longer in his college years, how does Boulware manufacture the same type of intensity that helped make him a beloved figure in Tiger Town as a player?

For Boulware, the answer is simple – caffeine. And a lot of it.

On Tuesday, Boulware met with the media during Clemson Football’s Media Outing at the Allen Reeves Football Complex and shared insight into his daily routine that’s certainly heavy on caffeine.

“When you’re 18, 19, 20 and you’re playing college football, you’ve got pads on, it is what it is. You hit like 27, 28, you’ve kinda got to manufacture [the intensity] a little bit. So, a lot of caffeine intake,” Boulware said.

“I typically on most days, I’ll do probably 400 milligrams of caffeine. I have a responsibility to bring energy. I’ve got a responsibility to hold my guys accountable and lead them well. You have a two-and-a-half-hour practice, you can’t be quiet out there and be going with the flow. You’ve got to bring some pretty good juice. That’s the responsibility of being a position coach and then just leadership in general – you’ve got to demand it.”

As you might think, Boulware isn’t immune to a caffeine crash following a long and taxing practice.

“[After] two-and-a-half-hour practices, [I’m] pretty cooked,” Boulware said. “You get into period 18, 19, you’re having to find it in places. So, the massive caffeine intake definitely helps me. But after, [I’m] just crushed – like, hard crash. I’ll just go sit in my locker for like five minutes, rubbing my face, drink some water and then I’ll get back into it. But a lot of caffeine.”

So, what does Boulware’s caffeine intake typically consist of?

He was asked about his go-to caffeine lineup and methods.

“I’ll do a normal White Bear [coffee] and then I’ll do espresso to top it off, mix it up,” he said. “I’ll do one, and that typically gets me through the day. But then if we have practice, I’ll do this, and then I have some pre-workout. I couldn’t even tell you what it’s called, but it’s freakin’ dangerous. I have one that’s 375, and then one that’s 400 milligrams… 400 is outrageous.”

Boulware admitted he had to question the safety of taking in that amount of caffeine, but was given the go-ahead.

“I’m like, dude, is this legal?” Boulware recalled. “And he’s like, yes, it is all cleared, you’re good to go. I’m like, I’m going to have a heart attack. So, I’m going to do it until I have a heart attack, but until then we’ll have fun.”

Boulware joined the Clemson staff last season in a volunteer capacity before being named as Clemson’s linebackers coach alongside Tom Allen in 2025. He’s now in charge of a unit led by senior Wade Woodaz and rising sophomore Sammy Brown – a unit that was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the ninth-best linebacker corps in college football entering the 2025 season.

A two-year starter at linebacker, Boulware left a legacy after a stellar Clemson career (2013-16) during which he posted 352 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five interceptions, 41 quarterback pressures, 10 pass breakups, six caused fumbles and four recovered fumbles over 53 games (31 starts). He served as a key defensive cog and leader while ultimately capping his career by helping the Tigers capture the 2016 national title, their first national championship in 35 years.