Tag: Dabo Swinney

Dabo Swinney asked about possible staff changes after College Football Playoff loss

Swinney asked about possible coaching staff changes.

After Clemson’s season came to a disappointing end with a 38-24 loss to Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff, questions about potential staff changes naturally arose. The Tigers’ defensive struggles throughout the season were once again on full display, as Texas racked up 494 total yards, including 292 on the ground.

Asked in the postgame press conference if adjustments might be coming to his coaching staff, Dabo Swinney dismissed the idea. “Aw man, we’re not worried about any of that stuff,” Swinney said. “We had a great year, we won the championship. We’ve got to improve in all areas. We’ve got an excellent staff. All those guys work really hard and well together.”

Swinney emphasized that the program’s focus would be on improving holistically, rather than making reactionary changes. “We were good enough to get to the playoff, good enough to win the league. Not good enough to win it all. So, we’ve got to get better in all areas,” he added.

Defensive issues have been a recurring theme for Clemson this season. The Tigers allowed an average of 6.9 yards per play against the Longhorns, struggled to stop the run, and entered the game ranked outside the top 40 in key defensive metrics, including total and scoring defense. While Swinney is standing by his staff for now, the offseason will be pivotal in addressing the areas that held Clemson back from competing at the highest level.

‘College GameDay’ makes predictions for Clemson vs. Texas CFP matchup

The GameDay crew makes their picks.

Can Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers pull off the biggest upset of the first round of the College Football Playoffs when they take on Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns?

We’ll find out in a few hours when the teams kick off at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (‘DKR’) in Austin. The game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET kick and will be televised on TNT.

In the meantime, ESPN’s “College GameDay” was live outside Ohio Stadium ahead of tonight’s playoff game between the No. 9 seed Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes.

When it came to Clemson vs. Texas, the crew of Lee Corso, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and celebrity guest picker A.J. Hawk all picked the Longhorns to win.

Saban said:

“I’ve got a lot of faith in Sark fixing his issues in the red zone. I’m Texas all the way.”

Corso went as far as to pick Texas to win the national championship outright while Herbstreit said:

“Clemson, they rely on big plays. They happen to be going up against one of the best defenses in the country that prevents those big plays. I just don’t see Clemson sustaining drives. I think Texas not only wins; I think they cover.”

As Swinney said after Clemson stunned SMU in the ACC Championship Game: “We’ve got a chance and I think Lloyd Christmas said it best: ‘So you’re saying there’s a chance?!”

[lawrence-related id=31489,31486,31468]

Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson news and notes, plus opinions. 

Dabo Swinney says Clemson has ‘been taking shots for 16 years, and we just keep winning’

Swinney is confident in the Tigers.

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.

Clemson wasn’t looking for a wide receiver but found one anyway in the transfer portal

Swinney on Clemson hitting the transfer portal for a wide receiver.

Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney made headlines earlier this week by taking a step some thought he never would—adding a player from the transfer portal.

With depth concerns at wide receiver following the departures of Troy Stellato and Noble Johnson, Swinney quickly addressed the need, securing a commitment from Southeast Missouri State transfer Tristan Smith.
Smith’s recruitment happened rapidly, with the 6-foot-5, 205-pound receiver arriving in Clemson early Monday morning and committing by the end of his visit.

“It was pretty quick,” Swinney said. “We weren’t really looking for a guy, but we had depth guys move on, and we needed someone. I really like our room, but we had to add depth, and Tristan fit what we were looking for.”
Smith brings an impressive résumé, earning all-conference honors last season at Southeast Missouri State. He caught 76 passes for 934 yards and six touchdowns, with three 100-yard games. His production ranked among the Top 20 in the Football Championship Subdivision.

While Swinney has brought in transfer quarterbacks in the past, Smith marks a significant addition, particularly at a skill position. Swinney emphasized that while Clemson doesn’t rely on the portal, it steps in when there’s a need.

“Everybody makes a big deal, but we’ve signed a kid out of the portal three of the last four years,” Swinney explained. “It’s not where we live, but when we can’t address a need through high school, we fill it.”
Swinney also expressed optimism about Smith’s potential, citing his size and unique journey as assets.

“We wanted a long guy, and he’s got a good story,” Swinney said. “I think his best football is ahead of him.”

Smith has one year of eligibility remaining but could pursue a waiver to extend his college career, given his JUCO background and limited action as a freshman. For now, he’s set to provide immediate impact and much-needed depth for the Tigers.

Dabo Swinney on Clemson looking to the transfer portal for a defensive end

Swinney comments on Clemson looking to the transfer portal.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney discussed the NCAA transfer portal during his media availability on Wednesday evening, explaining how the Tigers strategically approach its use. Swinney emphasized that while Clemson doesn’t heavily rely on the portal, it remains an option for filling specific needs that can’t be addressed through traditional high school recruiting.

“When we have a need and we can’t address it through high school, we fill our need,” Swinney said. That philosophy was evident this week when the Tigers brought in transfer wide receiver Tristan Smith to bolster their roster.

Swinney also revealed that Clemson is actively searching for a defensive end in the portal, citing a late decommitment from four-star prospect Bryce Davis as the catalyst. Davis, a Greensboro (N.C.) native and top-100 recruit in the 2025 class, signed with Duke earlier this month, leaving a key gap in Clemson’s recruiting class.

“We are looking for a guy at D-end because we had a kid decommit from us,” Swinney explained. “If he had not decommitted, we’d be done. But we needed to go get a guy. So, we’ve been tracking some players at that position.”

One of those players is Purdue transfer Will Heldt, who visited Clemson earlier this week. Heldt, regarded as one of the top edge rushers in the portal, received extended attention during his multi-day visit, complete with Clemson’s signature “orange carpet” treatment.

With the transfer portal increasingly shaping the college football landscape, Clemson remains deliberate in its approach, looking to maintain its roster balance while adapting to the modern recruiting era.

Texas head coach praises Swinney, Clemson for run to the College Football Playoff

Sarkisian has great things to say about Dabo Swinney and the Tigers.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had nothing but praise for Clemson and head coach Dabo Swinney as the Tigers prepare to face the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff. Speaking earlier this week, Sarkisian credited Swinney’s leadership and Clemson’s culture for the Tigers’ ability to fight through adversity and return to the national stage.

“They’ve faced some adversity this year,” Sarkisian said. “But I think the way Dabo leads that program, it’s clear why they’ve been able to turn things around. It speaks volumes about the culture he’s built there.”

Clemson (10-3), the No. 12 seed in the inaugural 12-team playoff, secured its spot with a gritty 34-31 win over SMU in the ACC Championship Game. Despite being underdogs heading into their matchup against No. 5 Texas (11-2), the Tigers remain confident. Swinney believes his team hasn’t played its best football yet and sees the playoff as an opportunity to finally put together a complete game.

Sarkisian isn’t taking the Tigers lightly. “That’s a championship program,” he said. “They’re always competitive, and you can see they’re peaking at the right time. We’re going to have to play really well to come out on top.”

Clemson is embracing an “us against the world” mentality as it travels to Austin. This mindset has fueled the Tigers throughout the season, especially as doubters questioned whether they deserved a playoff spot. Swinney’s squad is determined to prove they belong, just as they did in the ACC title game.

“Anytime you face a team like Clemson, you know it’s going to be a battle,” Sarkisian added. “They’re well-coached, disciplined, and have the talent to compete with anyone.”

Saturday’s game, set for 4 p.m. at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, will showcase two proud programs aiming for a spot in the semifinals. Texas brings one of the nation’s best defenses, while Clemson hopes its experience and resilience will give the Tigers an edge in a hostile environment. Both teams know there’s no room for error with the high stakes.

Everything Dabo Swinney had to say about Texas ahead of Saturday’s playoff game

Dabo Swinney talks Texas Longhorns ahead of the CFP matchup.

The Texas Longhorns will host the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K. Royal on Saturday in the first-round of the College Football Playoff. It will be the first time the two programs meet. On Monday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney addressed the media in his usual Monday press conference. Here’s everything he had to say about the No. 5 Texas Longhorns.

Texas on the surface:

“Texas has had an outstanding year, Sarkisian has done a great job. They’ve been in the play-off the last two years. They have an outstanding quarterback, they’re good in the trenches, and have explosive players. They put it all together offensively. Defensively, they don’t give up any points. It’s like 12 points a game. They’re big up front. They have athletic linebackers and they’re very skilled in the secondary. It’s a complete team. It’s a great challenge. We’re looking forward to it.”

On the secondary talent:

“They’re really talented and skilled. They have elite corner and safety play. They can all run. They know their scheme and they’re very committed to it. It all goes back to their dudes up front. They can get pressure with four. They’re usually better than most up front.”

On Arch Manning playing more:

“They obviously trust him, he’s got some wheels on him, man. He’s a strong runner.”

‘Who’s that?’ Clemson football star says he’s never heard of Matthew McConaughey

On the lighter side of things…

After his team’s 34-31 victory over the SMU Mustangs to win the ACC Championship, Clemson Tigers coach Dabo Swinney exclaimed: “I’m gonna meet Matthew McConaughey!”

Clemson (10-3 overall) faces the Texas Longhorns (11-2) in the first round of the College Football Playoffs Saturday at 4 p.m. ET at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game can be seen on TNT.

McConaughey, a Texas super fan who has often been spotted at Longhorns games for many years and has been a guest on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” is a professor of practice at UT’s Moody College of Communication, the university’s website boasts.

None of that seems to have made an impression on Clemson’s T.J. Parker. The star defensive lineman, who leads the team with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles, said at the end of his media session with reporters on Tuesday that he had never heard of McConaughey.

“No, who’s that?” Parker said in response to a reporter who asked if the defensive end was a fan of McConaughey’s.

When told that McConaughey was an actor, Parker said:

“I don’t know who that is. I may know his face, but not by name. I don’t know him.”

Not everyone shares Swinney’s enthusiasm for meeting the Dazed and Confused star, it seems. Alright, alright, alright then.

Contact/Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. 

Dabo Swinney shares an injury update on Clemson star running back Phil Mafah

Swinney gives an update on Mafah’s health.

Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney provided an update on the health of running back Phil Mafah ahead of Saturday’s College Football Playoff matchup against No. 5 Texas.

Swinney revealed that Mafah will require shoulder surgery after the season but confirmed the senior back will suit up when the 12th-seeded Tigers travel to Austin for the first-round game.

“We got what we got,” Swinney said. “Nobody is 100 percent. I doubt Texas has many guys over 100 percent, and we don’t either. Certainly, the rest for Mafah is not a bad thing, but he has to have postseason surgery regardless. He’s going to give us everything he’s got. I thought he looked better than the last game. He’s a guy we have to have play well for sure.”

Swinney also announced earlier that reserve running back Jay Haynes is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery on Monday.

With Mafah playing through injury, Clemson will turn to Keith Adams Jr., Jarvis Green, and David Eziomume to provide depth in the playoff matchup.

Clemson lands a wide receiver in the transfer portal

Clemson makes a move in the transfer portal.

Clemson football has added a new wide receiver through the NCAA transfer portal.

Tristan Smith, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound receiver from Southeast Missouri State, announced his commitment to the Tigers on Monday following a visit to campus.

Smith is coming off an impressive junior season where he hauled in 76 receptions for 934 yards and six touchdowns. In his final game for SEMO, Smith delivered a standout performance, catching 10 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown in a playoff loss to Illinois State.

Before transferring to Southeast Missouri State, Smith spent two years at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He had a gradual rise at SEMO, posting two receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown as a freshman in 2022 before improving to 14 catches for 140 yards and one score during the 2023 season.

Originally from LaGrange, Georgia, Smith drew interest from several schools after entering the portal, including Kentucky, FAU, Eastern Michigan, and Arkansas State, among others.

Smith has one or two years of eligibility remaining and helps bolster Clemson’s wide receiver depth after losing Troy Stellato and Noble Johnson to the portal.

Clemson hitting the portal early is something to see.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDqOWC9yQS2/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=d8e854f8-b5b5-4873-a61b-8680f41e1b3b