Dabo Swinney: Criticism Should Be Directed at Me After Clemson's Loss to Notre Dame

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney took the blame for his team's 35-14 upset to Notre Dame on Saturday.

"This was a really bad day and all the criticism was warranted and just should be directed at me, period," he told reporters after the game. "This is one of the most disappointing days that I've had as a head coach."

Swinney added the Tigers "got out-coached in every facet of the game."

Clemson trailed 28-0 in the fourth quarter. The offense gained just 281 total yards as DJ Uiagalelei went 27-of-39 for 191 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

A head coach taking accountability for a disappointing loss is nothing new, but some fans might be wondering whether Saturday did serve as a warning sign to Swinney.

Clemson needed two overtimes to put away Wake Forest in September and needed a 17-point fourth quarter to avoid losing to Syracuse in October. The Tigers finally suffering a defeat isn't surprising.

There were also big-picture questions surrounding the program coming into the 2022 season.

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman and Grace Raynor reported in September 2021 how Swinney's offensive scheme was looking a bit outmoded. With offensive coordinator Tony Elliott leaving to coach Virginia, this offseason presented Swinney with an opportunity to bring in somebody from outside the team with fresh ideas.

Instead, Brandon Streeter got a promotion from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator.

On the other side of the ball, Clemson adopted the same approach to replace outgoing defensive coordinator Brent Venables, with Wes Goodwin taking over the unit.

Swinney clearly values maintaining the status quo and relying on the philosophies that got him here.

Sometimes evolution is necessary, though. Alabama's continued success might not be happening right now if Nick Saban hadn't brought in Lane Kiffin to lead the offense in 2014.

Swinney just signed a contract extension in September that keeps him at Clemson through 2031. He's obviously not going anywhere for now.

How this season finishes out will, however, go toward addressing the overarching concerns hanging over the program.