GREENVILLE — Following Clemson's disappointing 7-5 regular season — their worst since 2010 — one local man believes he has the answers the Tigers desperately need. The only problem: he's an Alabama fan.

Dan "Bama Dan" Hutchins, 47, of Simpsonville, has been posting detailed coaching suggestions on Clemson football message boards for the past three months, signing each one "Roll Tide, but I'm here to help."

"Look, I know what people are going to say," Hutchins told The Upstate Owl from his home, which features a life-size cutout of Nick Saban in the living room. "They're going to say I have a conflict of interest. But I see it as an outside perspective. Fresh eyes."

Hutchins' credentials include zero years of coaching experience at any level, no degree from the University of Alabama — or any university — and a high school football career he describes as "formative."

"I played receiver at Hillcrest," he explained, gazing out the window. "Never caught a pass. Well, one time. But I was on defense. The quarterback just... tossed it to me. I think he was confused. I caught it and ran 40 yards." He paused. "Wrong way. I still think about that day."

Despite these qualifications, Hutchins has developed a comprehensive 47-page document titled "How I Would Fix Clemson Football (From a Bama Fan Who Knows Better)."

Key recommendations include "running the ball more," "throwing the ball more," "scoring more points than the other team," and "being more like Alabama, but orange."

"The problem is obvious to anyone who's watched the games," said Hutchins, who confirmed he has not watched any Clemson games this season. "I just read the scores and shake my head. 7-5? Four home losses? A loss to Duke for the first time at home since 1980? This is exactly what happens when you don't have a Bama fan advising you."

When asked why he doesn't simply offer his services to Alabama, Hutchins looked offended.

"They don't need my help," he said. "They have a system. Clemson clearly doesn't. That's why I'm offering to step in. Pro bono. I would only require a small consulting fee and sideline access."

Clemson fans on message boards have responded to Hutchins' posts with a mixture of confusion and hostility. User TigerPaw1981 wrote simply: "sir this is a Clemson forum."

"That's the closed-minded thinking that got them into this mess," Hutchins replied. "But I'll be here when they're ready. Roll Tide."

Clemson will face Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27th, a matchup Hutchins says he "might watch, if nothing else is on."