Table of Contents
Throughout his tenure at Clemson Football, Dabo Swinney has been nothing short of Hall of Fame material. He has won two National Championships, six playoff appearances, and has posted a 165-42 (.797) win record. But there’s an old saying that says all good things must come to an end.
During the time of writing, the Tigers are currently being demolished by Georgia 34-3 in their season opener. It was an off-season full of optimism for Clemson and its fans that was quickly put to an end in the second half of the matchup. Swinney has had much success with the program, but there comes a point in time when a program must realize when it must move on. I believe that will be after the 2024 season for Clemson, or they risk being left behind.
Dabo Swinney is the Greatest Coach in Clemson Football History
There has never been a coach in the history of Clemson Football to accomplish what Swinney has in his decade and a half at the helm. he has taken his team to several national title games, bringing home two Lombardi Trophies in the process.
Some of the accomplishments of Swinney can be attributed to his relentlessness to ever settle for mediocracy. Clemson has become a national powerhouse and what some would call, an “NFL Factory”. The Tigers have sent 65+ players to the pros since 2011, most notable of these top draft picks Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson (Current Browns QB) and Trevor Lawrence (Current JAX QB). There has been a total of 11 first round picks during this era as well.
One of the most impressive sets of statistical information under Swinney has been his team’s poise throughout various parts of the season. His teams have been especially effective in the primetime, boasting a .860-win percentage in night games, showing an ability to perform under high-stakes environments. His teams have also been extremely dominant during the latter half of the season, with an 88% winning percentage in November games since he took over as the head coach. As if this wasn’t enough, the Tigers have also posted a 23-12 record in games decided by a touchdown or less, including a total of 18 game-winning drives during his tenure.
Perhaps the most impressive feat of his decade of prowess is his record against the greatest Head Coach of All-Time. Swinney, a former Alabama Walk-On WR, held a 3-2 record against Nick Saben and Alabama. This is notable, as very few coaches have winning records against the GOAT, let alone in playoff appearances.
The Notable Decline Since 2020
Since 2020, Clemson has experienced a noticeable decline from its previous dominance. After reaching six consecutive College Football Playoffs and securing two national championships, the Tigers have struggled. The departure of star quarterback Trevor Lawrence marked the end of an era, and since then, Clemson has faced challenged on both sides of the ball.
In 2021, they missed the playoff for the first time since 2014, finishing with a 10-3 record but coming up short of the standard offensively. The 2022 season saw similar struggled, with Clemson’s inconsistent quarterback play and offensive line issues limiting their ability to compete. Their loss to Tennessee in the Orange Bowl greatly added to this, raising questions about the sustainability of Swinney’s philosophy amid a rapidly evolving college football landscape where recruiting, NIL, and the transfer portal are increasingly pivotal to the prolonged success of programs.
It’s Time for a New Era
As Clemson wonders how to approach its recent decline, the time may be approaching for the program to consider moving on. While Swinney brought success never before seen by the Tigers, the landscape of College Football has shifted dramatically in recent years. His reluctance to fully embrace the transfer portal has left Clemson lagging behind programs willing to change. This resistance to the change, couples with stagnating recruiting classes and on-field results suggests that Clemson might need fresh leadership to remain competative.
And that means Dabo Swinney cannot be the Head Coach in 2025.
[…] Much like most of the teams ranked this week, the Tigers have had two blowouts to start the year. Unlike most of the other teams, they’ve been on the receiving end of one. Dabo Swinney’s days are limited. […]