A few years ago, Clemson was among the top programs in college football, leading what was essentially a mini-dynasty. The Tigers are now fighting with the best of the best thanks to Dabo Swinney‘s rebuilding of the team from the ground up.
Due to their absence from the College Football Playoff, Clemson’s 2018 season was regarded as exceptional. They are currently 4-4 and may not make it to a bowl game. The fan support has become enraged by the results, and some have even questioned Swinney’s continued position as head coach.
Swinney hits back at Critics
However, Swinney shot back at those ideas, claiming that Clemson’s administration still believed in him.
Swinney gave a caller a hard time when he implied that he was contributing to the issue and asked how the $11.5 million compensation was justified. Swinney even recommended that the caller apply for his position.
Swinney said during Interview ,
“You’re part of the problem,” “If you wanna apply for the job, go for it. And good luck to you.
“I’m not going to let some smartass kid get on the phone and create this stuff. I work for the Board, the President and AD and if they’re tired of me leading this program they can let me know and I’ll go somewhere else.”
Swinney mentioned that he used to be among the college football head coaches with the lowest salary in the middle of his tirade. Swinney was the wide receiver coach and associate head coach until taking the helm as head coach in 2008. Eventually, Clemson gave him complete power over the interim tag, but the contract wasn’t very lucrative because he was so inexperienced.
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney went on an epic 5-minute rant tonight after ‘Tyler, from Spartanburg’ asked him about his $11.5 million salary and 4-4 season.
“I’m not gonna sit here and let you, I don’t care how much money I make. You’re not gonna talk to me like I’m 12-years old..” pic.twitter.com/XvjhZDUd2m
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 31, 2023
Well, you’ll soon be among the highest-paid head coaches in the nation with two national titles, six trips to the College Football Playoffs, and eight ACC titles.
All that success does, however, come with higher expectations. The three-loss 2022 season did not go down well with Clemson supporters, and as of the first weekend of November, the team is currently at .500.
They have been outspoken in their dissatisfaction, and Swinney responded by arguing that the Clemson bandwagon should get smaller in a passive-aggressive manner.
With this particular caller on Monday, his tone undoubtedly shifted. For the first time since November 2011, Clemson has dropped two straight games, and things won’t get any easier on Saturday. It’s a big game for both teams as Notre Dame travels to Death Valley.
As they say, no matter how dire things were on the pitch, winning made everything right. Even if Swinney doesn’t respect the fans’ opinions, he may win them back by defeating the Fighting Irish.
Flip the page for the full rant.
