Dabo Swinney talks about the transfer portal, how he got into coaching and his thoughts on winning games at Clemson.
Dabo Swinney is the head football coach of Clemson University. He talks about how he got his job, what it’s like to be a high-profile college coach, and what it takes to win at Clemson.
CLEMSON, South Carolina — Whether you like him or not, Dabo Swinney isn’t afraid to speak his thoughts, and he doesn’t waste time pretending to be someone he isn’t.
Swinney, who is in his 14th season as Clemson’s head coach and his 20th overall, has led the Tigers to the top of the collegiate football world in his own unique style.
Last year, Clemson (gasp) missed the College Football Playoff for the first time after six consecutive appearances. Swinney joked that he’ll be on the hot seat for the 2022 season. Swinney spoke with ESPN this week on everything from high hopes to nasty letters he received when he was hired, to his new-look staff, to name image and likeness, to the transfer portal, and to former quarterback Deshaun Watson.
There’s little doubt the program has moved into uncommon air, as Steve Spurrier said recently that you won 10 games last year and it was a “poor” year.
Swinney: When I first came here, we hadn’t won ten games in 20 years, and now we’ve had 11 straight 10-win seasons, and if we have another, they could fire me. No, everything is OK. I’m delighted we have a dedicated fan base and high expectations, because, to be honest, we didn’t have any business winning 10 games last year, given all the squad had to deal with and overcome. That group was incredible. That is going to be one of my all-time favorite teams. You start 4-3 and end 10-3, giving us the country’s longest winning run. It’s difficult to succeed. There are just three schools in football history that have had 11 consecutive 10-win seasons, and we are one of them, along with Alabama and Bobby Bowden’s Florida State squads. Every year presents a new challenge, and I believe that our place’s constancy, both on and off the field, is what distinguishes us. I’ll take it if last year was a low year.
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You’re in your 20th year at Clemson, and your 14th as head coach. Is it difficult for you to believe that?
Many folks can’t believe what they’re hearing. It seems like it was just yesterday since I arrived in February of 2003. It doesn’t seem like work when you like what you do and where you do it.
When Clemson moved you from receivers coach to full-time head coach in 2009, it caused quite a commotion. Has somebody ever come up to you and questioned your hiring decision?
No way. Now I had a lot of people expressing that behind their [computer] screens, as well as others who would write to me.
Did you retain any of the letters you received?
I keep all the negative ones, of course. They’re someplace in a file.
Do you continue to read them?
Never, ever. That first year, I read them and filed them away. Maybe one day they’ll be in a book. There are quite a few of them. But I understand. ESPN hired me on a D-plus basis, which I appreciate. That image is still in my possession. I believe I am the only coach that was hired that year and is still working. So, sure, I was the least likely to win, but it’s been a blast, bro, and we’ve done it our way to show that we can win by doing things correctly and without compromising. We kind of march to the beat of our own drum.
You were certain that Clemson was a program built to survive after the 2015 national championship game defeat to Alabama. Why was that, in retrospect?
We understood what we’d constructed, and then we went to six playoff games in a row, and everyone was disappointed that we didn’t go to seven. They’re difficult to find. Prior to the start of the 2009 season, we hadn’t won an ACC title in 20 years. We won’t be able to do it every year. Every year, we won’t make it to the playoffs. We’ll have those spectacular years if we can be a consistent program. That was, I suppose, the transforming adolescence. Clemson has been revolutionized, and we are now in the Roaring Twenties. And it’s shaping up to be a blast. Certainly, our best is yet ahead of us.
What about this club gives you the greatest hope that the Tigers will be able to compete for a playoff berth in 2022?
We will be better if we just get healthy. That is the most important thing. Even with all of those injuries, we’re a pick-six away from a 3-3 tie in overtime against Georgia, a double-overtime defeat on the road to NC State, who made a number of incredible plays, and then we had a couple of chances to take control of the game against Pitt and didn’t. Those are two excellent teams. Pitt was the league champion. The national title was won by Georgia. NC State had a fantastic season. We don’t have the right to win. The most important thing is that we become well. We won a bowl game despite the absence of 30 scholarship players. That’s the first time I’ve ever been a part of anything like that. Without seven scholarship receivers, we played three or four games. The majority of individuals only have seven scholarship recipients. You’re going to start a group of freshman. Those aren’t justifications. It’s simply the way things are, and you have to give credit where credit is due to the other teams.
In his first season as Clemson’s full-time starter, quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei struggled, failing to throw for more than 250 passing yards in a game. Dabo Swinney, the rising junior’s coach, stated the rising junior is “committed on getting better every day.” Rob Kinnan is a sports reporter for USA TODAY.
Next season, how much better will D.J. Uiagalelei be at quarterback, and how much better does he need to be?
We need to be more careful with D.J. All rookie quarterbacks make mistakes, but since we weren’t very good around him, his errors were amplified. We need to be more careful with him. He has to be better, and he is. He’s transformed his physique [from 260 pounds to 240] and is dedicated to improving every day. Bringing in [freshman quarterback] Cade Klubnik is one of the finest things he and the rest of the team can do. Nothing beats genuine competition, and we’ve got enough of it this spring.
What have you seen from a defensive line that should be as strong as anybody in college football, even with Bryan Bresee and Tre Williams missing this spring due to injuries?
On paper, this squad seems to have the potential to be something remarkable. We have seven players who might be selected this time next year, who are terrific students and leaders, who are extremely devoted, and who provide good depth. For us, it’ll all begin right there next season.
After losing long-term coordinators Brent Venables and Tony Elliott this summer, would you think twice about promoting from within on your staff?
That is exactly what it is all about. It’s all about building relationships, and loyalty is a two-way path. If it hadn’t been for Gene Stallings’ hiring and promotion from inside at Alabama, I wouldn’t be sitting here. I’ve always thought that developing the team, as well as the personnel, is an important aspect of my work. Evaluating and recruiting the proper individuals is a significant component, at least for me. I’m only as excellent as the individuals in my immediate vicinity. I’m afraid I won’t be able to achieve everything. Promotions from inside aren’t always possible. It’s simply not the case. Chad Morris was employed in 2011 since I didn’t have someone who could be promoted at the time. Tony, on the other hand, was prepared when Chad went. Brandon Streeter [offensive coordinator] was well prepared when Tony departed. He has been really patient. Kyle Richardson [tight ends coach/pass game coordinator] was ready to take his place on the field. Wes Goodwin, the defensive coordinator, is more than prepared. When you have someone who is prepared, deserves it, and has earned it, you are demonstrating a cultural breakdown.
Have you changed your mind about utilizing the transfer portal?
Because if I’m continually going out every year and adding players from the transfer portal, I’m telling all those guys in that locker room that I don’t believe in them, that I don’t think they can play. If we bring in a slew of transfers, we’re also not doing our job as coaches and recruiters. We’re not going to rely on transfers to round up our roster.
What circumstances would you utilize the transfer portal for?
Again, if we have to utilize it to help develop our roster, it suggests we’ve lost out on youngsters and aren’t signing the best of the best. That is not something I expect to happen. We’ll have to make use of it, but only for a short period of time. Nobody on the earth will be able to avoid using it. We’re missing one offensive lineman again this year, and we need to locate someone, so we’re aggressively searching for someone between now and May to get him in here for summer school. But we aren’t simply going to choose a person because we believe he is a terrific player.
Clemson’s 11th consecutive 10-win season was “wonderful,” according to coach Dabo Swinney, despite the Tigers missing the College Football Playoff for the first time after six straight appearances. Icon Sportswire/David Rosenblum
How much has NIL altered college football, and did you ever believe it wouldn’t be utilized as a recruiting tool, particularly given that high school players are allegedly signing contracts with collectives for up to $8 million?
There are no guidelines, no regulations, and no nothing. It’s gotten out of hand. It’s not a long-term solution. It’s a complete shambles and a train crash, with the children bearing the brunt of the consequences. There will be a large number of children who graduate without a degree and make judgments based on incorrect information. Many choices will be made primarily on short-term considerations, sacrificing the long-term value of education, connections, and connectedness. It will all work out in the end. However, it isn’t what it was meant to be. The goal is admirable. I think it’s fantastic that these individuals can earn money from their name, image, and likeness if they choose to. However, it is not currently set up in the manner that it was planned. Like most things, there are always unintended repercussions, and regrettably, the children will pay the price since there are so many very young individuals who are forced to grow up so quickly.
In the NIL world, how aggressive will Clemson be?
Everyone will have an excellent NIL program, and our children will have those chances when they arrive. However, we will continue to recruit the same players without influencing them after they graduate from high school. Trevor Lawrence, Bryan Bresee, Trenton Simpson, and Travis Etienne Jr. are still on the way. Those players will still be acquired. At Clemson, we have everything in place to obtain them.
What do you think professionalization of collegiate sports means to you?
I’m trying to break away from scholarships and academics. Ninety-eight percent of these youngsters will never play in the National Football League. One of the reasons I enjoy the NIL is that 98 percent of them will never join the NFL, so it’s important to take advantage of these possibilities while they still have a decent platform. Clemson is one of three football schools in the country with a million Twitter followers. So it’s excellent that they have the option to earn some money while they’re on their way here. However, we also know that 98 percent of people do not play in the NFL, so we had best obtain that degree. As adults, we should do all we can to promote education — period, end of story — and I’m not going to alter my mind because I know that’s what ultimately leads to generational change in the lives of young people. Nothing is more frustrating than watching a 27-year-old, 28-year-old, or 30-year-old for whom the band performed and for whom the people shouted, only to discover that they never received their degree and are now suffering. So, I’ve always been for education, the college model, and the collegiate experience, and I don’t believe what’s been developed today is good for the game, and I don’t believe it’s healthy for young people in the long term.
How many of the athletes you sign really believe they will play in the NFL?
They all do, and I’m grateful for it. If they don’t believe they can, I’m not interested. I thought I’d make it to the big leagues. I’m still irritated that I didn’t, but it’s the reason I succeeded. I was confident in my abilities. At Clemson, we attempt to free them up to go play football while also teaching and equipping them as men and instilling in them the belief that they will succeed in life. When kids fully understand that they can achieve greatness without football, it frees them up to simply play.
You’ve been vocal about your opposition to pay-for-play in college athletics. Is NIL taking big-time college sports in that direction?
Anything that devalues education offends me. That is something I am opposed to. Anything that encourages people to learn is something I support. People will pursue me because I’ve always said that I oppose college sports professionalism, which I do. Children have no idea what they don’t know. If you professionalize college sports, you suddenly have wages and taxes, you can dismiss youngsters on the fly, and they have to pay for their tuition, housing, and everything else. Athletic directors would sign up in a heartbeat for it. They’d put that money aside.
What do you respond when people accuse you of being out of touch with NIL’s new-age world?
It makes no difference what I say. I’m sure I’ll be chastised. That’s a thing of the past for me. This is something I’ve been doing for a long time. Equipping young people with life skills, such as receiving an education, networking, and forming connections, is what makes a difference in their lives. If they can earn some money in the near term, that’s fantastic. However, if that becomes the emphasis, young people will make a lot of poor judgments. There’s a reason why auto insurance for a 25-year-old is less expensive than for an 18-year-old. It’s known as judgment. There’s a lot that could be improved, and I believe it will eventually.
What is the location of ‘there?’
I believe that all of college sports, particularly football, will be completely overhauled and restructured, and that this is necessary. I believe there will be a break and a new division at some point. You’ve got everyone in one group right now, and that’s not going to work. Alabama and Middle Tennessee have separate challenges, but we’re attempting to make them all the same, which isn’t possible. I believe there will be 40 or 50 teams, as well as a commissioner, and the following are the regulations. Because there is no consistency, a commissioner would be beneficial. It’s a complete disaster. You’re unable to complete any tasks. There is a lot of red tape, and you can’t get things done in a timely way. It’s aggravating. The regulations are out of date and the communication is poor. When it comes to the scholarships, there have been several advantages. However, you have a lot of people voting on stuff, and it’s not really apples to apples.
Do you see why people say things like, ‘Well, coaches like Dabo Swinney and Nick Saban make $10 million a year, so why shouldn’t the players benefit even before they get on campus?’
Nick Saban, on the other hand, is 70 years old. I’m a 52-year-old woman. We don’t establish prices for what we do. In today’s world, we live in a capitalist society. The CEO of Delta undoubtedly earns a lot more money than the employees who check your luggage, but they’re just as important. We don’t establish prices for what we do. In everything, we live in a free market. It’s simply that our work is so public and apparent. I can assure you that none of us entered coaching to earn money, but I make no apologies for my success.
Dabo Swinney’s thoughts on Nick Saban’s deal. “To be honest with you, he’s probably underpaid,” Swinney told ESPN. Getty Images/Handout/Kevin Jairaj
When you initially started teaching, how much money did you make?
When coach [Gene] Stallings gave me a shot, I earned $38,000. My highest pay at Alabama was $80,000, and I coached there for eight years. Because coaching was my passion, I took the choice to pursue it. That is a message for all of us. Everything else will take care of itself if you pursue what you’re passionate about and go to work liking what you’re doing.
Do college football coaches get an excessive amount of money?
Because we have such a prominent position, that’s always going to be a question, but I’d say Nick Saban has had a significant influence on the University of Alabama, not just the football program. He’s had a significant influence on Tuscaloosa, in my opinion. To be honest with you, he’s probably underpaid. That discussion will continue to take place in 50 years. It makes no difference to me what you do or how you arrange it. But that’s reasonable. Everyone is free to express their viewpoint. I appreciate their viewpoint, just as I respect the viewpoints of those who disagree with me on the professionalization of collegiate sports.
What has it been like for you to see the Deshaun Watson issue unfold?
I’m relieved that he’s made it through the criminal justice system. He now has the opportunity to return to work and do the things he enjoys. Nothing will ever alter my feelings for Deshaun. He’s gone through a lot in the last year, and I’ve tried to be a friend, advise him, and be a good mentor to him. I’m looking forward to his future. He’s going to be fantastic.
How much time have you spent with him?
We’ve tried to remain in contact, particularly in the past several weeks while he was finishing up his legal paperwork and deciding what he wanted to do. It’s encouraging to see the Browns’ faith in him. It’s incredible how quickly they acted to apprehend him. I’m delighted for him. They’ve put together a lot of excellent components, and he’ll be a terrific match for them and eager to go back out there and work.
Is it ever overwhelming to feed that beast when you taste success like Clemson has on your watch?
Since 2014, I believe we’ve only lost one home game. I really hope we never lose a game at home. I may have to leave the field quickly. I take things one year at a time, day by day, and concentrate on the important things. Expectations fascinate me. I’m delighted we’ve created a software that everyone expects to be excellent. We’ve now got ten consecutive top-15 finishes. We’re getting a solid football team back, and we’ll have one for a long time.
Dabo Swinney is the head coach of Clemson football. He has just won his second National Championship and talks about NIL, coaching salaries and winning his way. Reference: dabo swinney news.
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