In the wake of another gut-wrenching loss, this time to Duke, the future of Dabo Swinney at Clemson has never been more uncertain. The defeat dropped the Tigers to a dismal 3-5 on the season, pushing a program accustomed to national title contention to the brink of missing a bowl game entirely.
For a coach who built a dynasty his way, the question now is whether his methods can still win in a rapidly changing sport.
Is Dabo Swinney’s Old-School Approach Finally Failing Clemson?
The latest loss to the Blue Devils, where Clemson fell with just 40 seconds left in overtime, solidified a harsh reality for the 2025 season. The Tigers now hold a 3-5 overall record and a 2-4 record in ACC play. According to PFSN’s playoff meter, the team is projected to narrowly miss out on bowl eligibility, with predictions pointing toward a final record of five wins and six losses.
This situation has led to increased scrutiny, with outsiders suggesting it’s time for a change. Chris Hummer, a CBS Sports college football insider, recently argued that while Swinney has always run the program his way, he has failed to adapt to the changing landscape. Hummer believes the team has grown stagnant and that coaching changes could be on the horizon.
“This has always been a program with Dabo Swinney that has been run a certain way. It’s Dabo Swinney’s way. But I think at the end of the day, it comes down to adaptability. I think what you’ve been seeing this year with Clemson is a team that’s gotten a little stale. I would expect coaching changes in the offseason,” Hummer revealed.
After winning the ACC championship in 2024, Clemson’s dramatic decline has made it one of the biggest disasters of the year, especially after being considered a frontrunner for the National Championship. The offensive stagnation is a major point of concern, as the team has not defeated a single power conference opponent in over a year, and the play-calling has been widely questioned.
Will Swinney Actually Make Changes to His Coaching Staff?
One name frequently mentioned in discussions about potential changes is offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who is in the third and final year of his contract. However, Swinney has publicly stated his reluctance to make coaching changes during a season, especially when it is not a character issue.
“Now, if you’ve got a bad person or you got some type of dynamic where we can’t be in the room together, that’s a different deal. But we’ve got great people here, good men. Hey, we’re going to play the games, and Coaches are getting fired at an alarming rate,” Swinney said.
He also defended his philosophy by pointing out that even the best coaches endure difficult seasons. “I don’t know that there’s ever been a coach that hasn’t had a bad season. If you fire your coach every time they have a bad season, you’re gonna have a hard time having a program,” Swinney shared recently.
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Despite the mounting pressure, CBS Sports’ John Talty does not believe Swinney is looking for an exit. After checking with a source, Talty suggested that Swinney’s stubbornness and belief in his own system will keep him at Clemson.
“I will just say very quickly. I checked in with someone recently and they said that Dabo Swinney’s not looking to leave. But of course that could change if the pressure continues. I think he’s just stubborn and thinks I can find a way to make it work here,” Talty stated.
Swinney, who has been the head coach since taking over on an interim basis in 2008, is now in his 18th year in Death Valley. After winning two National Championships in 2016 and 2018, along with eight ACC titles in the last ten years, he now faces the defining challenge of his career: adapt to the modern era of college football or risk being left behind.
Wow, Liam. Did you write this with ChatGPT? Nothing in here original.
It was not in overtime