Clemson HC Dabo Swinney 'Not Worried About Advice' from FSU After Postponed Game

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney continued to be dismissive of Florida State administrators following the postponement of a Week 12 clash between the Tigers and Seminoles for COVID-19-related reasons.

"I'm not very worried about what they say down in Tallahassee," Swinney told reporters Tuesday. "I've been here 18 years. They've had three coaches in four years. I'm not worried about advice from down in Tallahassee."

According to ESPN's Andrea Adelson, Clemson had traveled to Tallahassee, Florida, ahead of the game when the program learned a Tigers player had tested positive for COVID-19.

"That player was symptomatic but had tested negative twice during the week, according to sources," Adelson wrote. "That led Florida State to say it was not comfortable playing Saturday's game, the source said."

During a conference call with reporters Sunday, Swinney lamented how Clemson spent "several hundred thousand dollars" on travel for a game that didn't happen. He added that "COVID was just an excuse to cancel the game," insinuating FSU officials didn't want to play heavily favored Clemson.

Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell defended the decision in response.

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"Football coaches are not doctors," he told reporters. "Some of us might think we are, but there's a reason why medical advisers make decisions based on the information that is provided. It's unfortunate that opportunity has been delayed, but there's a reason people making those decisions have that responsibility."

Both schools appear to have been in agreement regarding the postponement. 

College football reporter Andy Wittry reported Florida State president John Thrasher wrote an email to a former faculty member and booster explaining how Clemson president James Clements "concurred with the decision."