It was just over a month ago that I wrote an article arguing that Dabo Swinney should retain the Clemson coaching job after this season. Today, he virtually assured himself the job, with a 31-14 beatdown of instate rival South Carolina.
Swinney has won four of his last five games and brought Clemson to bowl eligibility after a 3-4 record at mid-season. More importantly, today he took the first steps to the heart of any Clemson fan by beating South Carolina.
As the game wound down and the crowd at Death Valley chanted Da-bo Swin-ney, I took a look at the two coaches across the field from each other. What I found surprised and excited me.
On one sideline, I found an old coach, a man who was brilliant in his day, but who never should have left Florida. I saw a man who quit on his team by never switching to a no-huddle offense and refusing to use any of his three time outs.
I saw Steve Spurrier, a man too proud to ever look desperate for a win and a man tired of coaching his failing team.
On the Clemson sidelines, there was Dabo Swinney. He ran up and down the sidelines, coaching players up and calling them down. He was never too proud to show enthusiasm or afraid of looking foolish. Swinney looked like he had bled Clemson orange his entire life and finally had the opportunity to coach there.
In this comparison, I found the true reason why I want Dabo Swinney as Clemson’s next head coach. In a flashy or big name coaching hire, there is a danger that the coach and school will remain separate entities.
Since big-name Spurrier arrived at Carolina, I have never really considered him a Gamecock. His big name and big history have kept his persona and the Gamecock nation from mixing like oil and vinegar.
That’s why I want Dabo Swinney as Clemson’s next head coach. I want the guy with the coaching talent who is willing to become the face of a program and prepared to grow alongside the program.
Many fans want a flashy hire, but how often do flashy hires really work out? How many more times does a legendary coach rise up from within a program?
I, for one, will eagerly await the announcement of Dabo Swinney as the permanent head coach and hope that he will retain his enthusiasm for the game and lead Clemson to great things.
4 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
roger godwin 7 months ago
Great article. Swinney has two great attributes of a great leader: Servitude and humility. What player wouldnt be proud to play for a guy like this? From your earlier post, I agree, the similiarities between him and Ford are striking! If Clemson hires him, and he becomes the winner that it looks like he will be, a team of horses couldnt drag him from Clemson for any dollar amount!
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brendan edgar 7 months ago
Well, ESPN just announced his hire (: I've been smiling since. I think he can get us over the hump, and be a big game coach finally
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Lindsey Thomas 7 months ago
Well, looks like Clemson fans got what we wanted! I'm excited to see what Dabo can do with the boys next year!
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Trey Murphy 7 months ago
I am absolutely elated about what looks like a sure-thing in Dabo's hiring. Being a student here, graduating this year, I was very disappointed in the way our season started out. However, I am booming with joy the way it has finished. True, I would have liked to have won that GA Tech game (which was almost impossible to win with the short time-span given to Dabo) or the FSU game which was tough to watch, but I truly couldn't be happier.
I am concerned, however, that people will have expectations next year that will FAR exceed the realistic nature of what could be next year. With a lot of our defense leaving next year, it could spell a little trouble for our team. Our defense has been a HUGE asset this year and has kept us in every single game of the year. What do you think about what we should expect next year from this Tiger crew? I'm very hopeful, but as always, you can't get your hopes up too much, especially with a new coach. But I love Dabo, and think that he, and no one else, is the ticket to bringing this program to the next level.
Great article!
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