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It's not easy to clearly define the standards for a program, whether it be basketball or football or baseball. It's not like an AD has a book of strict commandments he relies on to determine whether a coach is succeeding or failing. A lot of it is based on instincts, gut feel and common sense.

Back when the football program was struggling to escape mediocrity under Tommy Bowden, the oft-stated belief from this corner was that the Tigers needed to win the Atlantic Division on a regular basis. Not ever year, because Florida State is quite an imposing obstacle. But on a regular basis. That wasn't happening as Wake Forest and Boston College were parading to the title game, and that's why the administration set forth the expectation that Bowden win the division in 2008.

At present the expectations for football are different, obviously. But we can use the look back to that previous era as context when we're trying to figure out how to view a struggling basketball program and what should be expected.

Similarly, when the baseball program was struggling under Jack Leggett it became clear what the standard should be. As the Tigers under him went three straight years, then four, then five without reaching Omaha, it was completely reasonable to say Clemson baseball needed to get back in the business of going to the CWS on a regular basis. And that will ultimately be how Monte Lee is judged.