Dabo Swinney has always thrived on proving people wrong. He doesn’t flinch at criticism or back down when the doubters line up. It’s part of what has defined his run at Clemson; taking the hits and responding with a smile and a sharp comeback.
Think back to 2013, when Clemson was still clawing its way out of the “Clemsoning” shadow. After a brutal 51-14 loss to Florida State — a game that cemented the Seminoles’ path to a national championship — Swinney stood in front of the media and declared, “If we played them 10 times, we’d win five.”
The comment seemed laughable in the moment, but it was classic Swinney: bold, unapologetically optimistic, and utterly convinced in his vision. He’s always been the guy who believes when nobody else will, proudly calling himself an “over-believer” rather than an overachiever.
Now, ten years and two national titles later, that same defiance is still part of who he is. As Clemson prepares for its latest playoff appearance, questions linger about the Tigers’ ability to hang with the sport’s elite after a three-loss season. But Swinney? He hasn’t budged an inch.
“I’ve been taking shots since I got this job. What’s changed?” Swinney said this week. “I’ve been taking shots for 16 years, and we just keep winning.”
It’s that unshakable belief that has carried Swinney and Clemson to the top before.
Whether they can make another run remains to be seen, but one thing is certain… he’s not backing down anytime soon.