CLEMSON, S.C. — Dabo Swinney’s massive office is clean and tidy, but along the walls, the shelf space is noticeably tight. Not many coaches stick around at a job this long — 17 years — and the trophies, plaques, framed pictures and championship rings he has accumulated as Clemson’s head coach have piled up, and the collection is beginning to melt into the shadows of the nooks and crannies.
Outside these four walls, the college football world continues to evolve, challenging Swinney’s touchstones. Yet, he remains steadfast in the storm, winning the ACC last season, his eighth title in 10 years, after a slight lull that coincided with the legalization of the portal and NIL payments to players. The two-time national champion has often criticized the transfer portal, high-paying NIL deals and the slow march toward professionalization of the sport, but he is downright giddy on this day in late April.
“I’m probably having more fun these past few years than I’ve had in a long time because I like the challenge,” Swinney told CBS Sports. “Challenge is fun. I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to lead in college football than right now.”
Fun? No better time for college football? Are we sure this is the same Dabo who famously said 10 years ago he would leave the sport if college athletics were professionalized?
“We’ve been affected, but we’re probably a three on a scale of 10,” Swinney said. “I feel bad for a lot of places and a lot of people out there, I really do. But I’m thankful and grateful for what we have here.”
What this small program with seemingly unlimited potential has accomplished in Swinney’s 17 years (and counting) is remarkable and somewhat flies in the face of what is expected at a program like Clemson. As cynics…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/why-clemsons-dabo-swinney-remains-the-most-consistent-force-in-college-football-amid-sweeping-changes/
Author : Brandon Marcello
Publish date : 2025-05-13 13:39:00
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