Schnabel Never Had a Doubt
By: jasonpriester February 15, 2025

ARLINGTON, Texas — Nick Schnabel never had a doubt.

With Clemson head coach Erik Bakich serving a two-game suspension to start the season, Schnabel has served as the Tigers’ acting head coach over the first two contests of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown.

All Bakich’s longtime assistant did was help guide Clemson to a 2-0 start, with the Tigers notching wins over No. 17 Oklahoma State and No. 21 Arizona.

Clemson needed a late comeback to secure a season-opening one-run win over the Cowboys on Friday, but the Tigers wasted no time in jumping on Arizona on Saturday.

The offense batted around in the top of the first, pounding out eight base hits and pushing across seven runs in the opening frame of what would eventually be a 16-5 victory.

After Saturday’s blowout win moved the Tigers to 2-0 on the season, Schnabel was asked if there was ever a doubt he’d go unbeaten in Bakich’s place.

“Absolutely not,” Schnabel said with a smile after the Tigers’ 16-5 throttling of Arizona. “I trust these, guys. But it ain’t about me. I trust them.”

In game one, Schnabel watched the Tigers stay focused on the task at hand, despite facing an early deficit. Saturday he watched on as Clemson took control from the onset and never looked back.

“Like I said, the preparation these guys have, and the way they go about their business, there is a lot of trust in them,” Schnabel added.

Clemson wraps up the three-game Showdown on Sunday with a 3:30 matchup against SEC foe Ole Miss. It also signifies the return of Bakcih, as his suspension is now over.

Schnabel will now move back into his regular role serving as Bakich’s top lieutenant. However, if the need ever arises again, every person in that clubhouse, player and coach, has full confidence in Schnabel to get the job done.

“Hopefully he still wants me to coach third base,” Schnabel said. “I will go coach third base and he will ask me a couple of questions here and there and get my input. It will be great having Erik back. I am just so glad the boys played hard, played well, they deserved to win.”