The Michigan Wolverines’ coaching search took a hit on Sunday when it was reported that their prime target, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, dismissed the links and reaffirmed his commitment to the Crimson Tide on Sunday evening. The Wolverines have been left scrambling after announcing the firing of former coach Sherrone Moore with cause on Wednesday.
In addition, the Wolverines had been linked to Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham, who also reaffirmed his commitment to the Sun Devils, further complicating the Wolverines’ search for a new head coach.
Michigan Wolverines Pushed To Approach $115M Coach
During a segment of the “R.J. Young Show,” analyst R.J. Young urged the Wolverines to approach Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, while comparing the Tigers’ coach to Nick Saban and Kirby Smart.
“I think there’s one guy you need to kick tires on, show up at his house, and see what it would take. If he tells you no, then he tells you no. Everybody else you would want has signed an extension or is very happy, period. It’s very difficult to find a good football coach who is unhappy at a good football program.
“A guy that I think could do well at Michigan, if you really want the Alabama experience, you gotta go take a look at Dabo Swinney at Clemson. It wasn’t a great year at Clemson. I’m sure he wouldn’t wanna leave on those terms. Swinney is the closest thing that we have to Nick Saban and Kirby Smart.”
In 2022, Swinney signed a 10-year contract extension through 2031, worth a mammoth $115 million, which made him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Clemson A. D. Backs Swinney’s Stay at the Program
Clemson finished with a 7-5 overall and 4-4 ACC record, the Tigers’ worst record since 2010. Before the season started, the Tigers were labeled as ACC and national championship contenders. Still, they finished the season with a losing record at home for the first time in 27 years, and only a four-game winning streak clinched bowl eligibility.
During a Zoom call last week, Clemson athletic director Graham Neff backed Swinney’s decision to stay at the program despite the abysmally poor season.
“Coach’s ability just to connect with our players and to continue to lead and be an incredible leader and developer of men in college football going forward is unmatched, without question, and just an incredible fit here at Clemson,” Neff said.
“That’s been shown for two decades that coach has been at Clemson, and I expect that to continue for many, many years ahead,” he added
Should Swinney lead the Tigers to a Pinstripe Bowl win against the Penn State Nittany Lions, they’d become only the third program in the country to win eight or more games in each of the last 15 seasons alongside the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide.
