The expectations for Dabo Swinney, the second-highest-paid head coach in college football, are immense. National Championships are a critical benchmark, but Clemson’s prolonged drought since their last title in 2018 is raising questions about Swinney’s performance. While he continues to dominate the ACC, evidenced by Clemson’s recent victory over SMU in the conference championship, their subsequent fall to Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff has sparked concerns about his job security.
Swinney, earning $11.1 million annually, is second only to Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who makes $13.28 million per year. In 2022, Swinney signed a lucrative 10-year, $115 million contract extension that keeps him tied to Clemson through 2031. However, with Clemson’s lack of recent national titles, there is growing debate over whether Swinney will fulfill the full term of his contract. Clemson’s playoff loss to Texas, coached by the third-highest-paid head coach Steve Sarkisian ($10.6 million annually), has only added to these discussions.
Clemson’s 38-24 loss to Texas in the playoff’s opening round means yet another season without a national title. This failure has placed Clemson in a precarious position. While some fans might call for Swinney’s dismissal, the significant financial burden of his contract’s buyout complicates such a decision.
Despite the disappointment, Swinney remains confident in his coaching staff and their ability to adapt. Following the playoff loss, he addressed the media, stating, “We’re not worried about any of that stuff. We had a great year, we won the championship. We’ve got to improve in all areas. We’ve got an excellent staff. All those guys work really hard and well together.” Swinney emphasized that this season served as an opportunity for growth, noting that while Clemson was not “good enough to win it all,” there is potential for improvement.
Over the past decade, Swinney has led Clemson to eight ACC championships and two national titles (2016 and 2018). This season, Clemson secured another ACC title with a victory over SMU, earning a No. 12 seed in the College Football Playoff despite being ranked No. 16 in the Top 25. However, six years without a national title is a long stretch, and it remains to be seen if Swinney will make significant staff changes in response to the ongoing drought.
While Clemson takes time to regroup, Texas advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face No. 4 Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on January 1. For Clemson and Dabo Swinney, the focus now shifts to addressing weaknesses and striving for a return to national prominence. Whether the school’s administration and fans will continue to support Swinney through this rebuilding phase remains a pressing question as the program moves forward.