Dabo Swinney shows true colors defending Clemson's bad start

Jeff Hauser

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Dabo Swinney shows true colors defending Clemson's bad start image

Dabo Swinney defended his program during a fiery press conference on Tuesday. His message was clear, saying if Clemson was tired of winning "they can send me on my way."

The Tigers start to the 2025 season has been lackluster at best. After being the fourth ranked team in the nation, three weeks later they find themselves outside of the AP Top 25 poll. Last Saturday's 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech was a stringer. Swinney stood his ground with several notable quotes. For context, here's his full quotes.   

Swinney on Clemson's rich history as head coach

"What's so bad about our program? What's so bad about it? Like, what's so bad about the worst season that we've had.14 years... How many programs college football would sign up for one? And only once 14 years of nine wins, how many programs would sign up for that. And the playoffs, so we all talk about we've been seven times in 10 years. 

"Who can say that? If we stink because we haven't played for the national championship since January of 2020 well. I guess we stink or we haven't won it since January of 2019. We haven't won the national championship. Well, then I guess we stink. But why are we held to a different standard from all these other teams out there who aint never won nothing. We're not perfect, and we may suck this year. We may, we may, we may lay a freaking egg and go 6-6, but I don't think so. And I know that's gonna disappoint a lot of people, but I don't think so."

Swinney on when he knew the loss was bad

"I know it's bad because I'm getting all the text messages, "I'm praying for you". Everybody sending me devotions, and "you're going to get through this". And you know, that's when I know it's bad. That's how I feel it because I don't read it. I don't, I know people say that I promise you, I don't when it's bad. I don't read nothing."

Swinney on facing adversity 

"This ain't the worst thing that's happened to me in my life. And it won't be, and it won't be for these players. It's a bad moment. You know, because we take pride in what we do. And we're competitive, but this aint the same. It's ain't the worst thing that's ever happened to me in my life is criticism and all that. And listen I get it. And it's warranted, because people care, and I love being at a program that people care. And it matters that it doesn't bother me. I get all that I spent 13 years in Alabama, so I had thick skin when I showed up here at Clemson."

Swinney on the current state of the program

"If they want me gone. If they are tired of winning, they can send me on the way. Because that's all we've done is win. So if they're tired of winning we've had we've won this league, eight out of the last 10 years. Is that not good? I'm just asking, is that good? I don't know if that's good or not to win your league eight out of 10 years to go to the playoffs, seven out of 10 years be in four national championships and win it twice. Yeah, we're down right now. Take your shots, but I got a long memory. In case y'all don't know, we'll be all right. We'll bounce back"

Swinney on his future 

"Hey listen, I mean, if Clemson's tired of winning. They can send me on my way, but I'm gonna go somewhere else. And coach, I ain't going to the beach. Hell, I'm 55. I got a long way to go. Y'all gonna have to deal with me for a while. A long way to go. I'm just getting going. I'm just now good enough to be a head coach. I'm just now figuring it out. So we'll be around for a while. Let's hang in there."

Clemson faces Syracuse on Saturday (Noon ET, ESPN). 

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.