Nick Saban doesn’t have too many active coaching rivals. He has only lost a handful of times since getting to Alabama in 2007. However, one active coach has stepped on his toes more than once: Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.
Swinney doesn’t hide the fact that he forms his own opinions. He’s also not afraid to share those opinions as publicly as possible. Some of what he’s said has generated strong reactions, some good, some bad.
On Wednesday, the NCAA passed an interim policy supporting student-athletes’ ability to benefit from their name, image and likeness.
As soon as news broke, college football fans on Twitter were quick to point out an old statement made by Swinney: He would retire if college players started getting paid.
A 2015 NBC Sports interview with Swinney has the exact quote,
“As far as paying players, professionalizing college athletics, that’s where you lose me,” Swinney said. “I’ll go do something else because there’s enough entitlement in this world as there is.”
The Clemson head coach has reportedly walked back his stance and is “happy” for the players, according to a recent ESPN article.
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