Dabo Swinney's Clemson Contract Has $60M Buyout Clause for 2024; Signed Through 2031

It would cost quite a pretty penny for the Clemson Tigers to part ways with head coach Dabo Swinney.

Clemson lost its season opener 34-3 to the Georgia Bulldogs and started 2024 off on the wrong foot. One notable detail is that Swinney's current contract contains a buyout clause worth $60 million in both 2024 and 2025 and $57 million in 2026, per Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac.

Swinney signed a 10-year, $115 million contract extension with Clemson in 2022 that is set to run through the 2031 season. He has an average annual salary of $11.5 million.

Swinney earned that contract earlier in his tenure with the Tigers. He took over in 2008 and has earned a 170-44 record with eight ACC Championships and two national championships. He is the winningest coach in franchise history.

However, the tides may be turning as the collegiate landscape changes and Swinney doesn't seem to be adapting. He has notably avoided using the transfer portal as a tool to improve the roster, which could leave the program behind others in future seasons.

Clemson has not appeared in the College Football Playoff since the 2020 season, and it will need a significant turnaround to do it this season following the blowout loss to Georgia. Still, Swinney's past success and bloated buyout should make it a difficult idea to move on from him.