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Dabo Swinney is at odds with the Clemson fanbase once again, this time going viral during the coach’s call-in show. He was heard absolutely ripping into a caller who questioned why the program is paying him $11.5 million amid a 4-4 start to the season.
Swinney exploded on the young fan, whom he referred to as a “smart a– kid,” in a fiery five-minute rant.
The response, which many feel was warranted, came following blunt criticism from a self-claimed lifelong Clemson fan. It’s not the first negative interaction Swinney’s had with Tiger Nation.
After a close win over Wake Forest, the head coach was heard telling fans to lower their expectations.
“Maybe we need to lose a few games to lighten up the bandwagon,” Swinney said in mid-October. Since, his team has gone 0-2 with back-to-back losses to Miami and NC State.
Swinney might’ve created a little room on that bandwagon himself this time around, potentially pushing this Tigers fan over the edge.
Dabo Swinney rips young Clemson fan to shreds.
Tyler, from Spartanburg, called into the coach’s show Monday night with a question about Swinney’s pay and whether or not he was deserving given the recent results. The Tigers are 5-6 in their last 11 games with two of those wins coming over Florida Atlantic and Charleston Southern.
The caller, who didn’t sound much older than a college kid, compared the last few Clemson seasons to that of Swinney’s predecessor.
“You’re sounding a whole lot like Tommy Bowden, and I’ll tell you one thing, Tommy Bowden didn’t make the same amount of money as you do. You make $11.5M a year. That’s second in college football, if I’m not mistaken. I’m curious as to why that salary has led to a 4-4 [record].”
Tyler then quoted a verse from the Bible which talks about pride before the fall, going on to say Swinney has become more arrogant since his last national championship win.
Here was the head coach’s response.
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney went on an epic 5-minute rant tonight after ‘Tyler, from Spartanburg’ asked him about his $11.5 million salary and 4-4 season.
“I’m not gonna sit here and let you, I don’t care how much money I make. You’re not gonna talk to me like I’m 12-years old..” pic.twitter.com/XvjhZDUd2m
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 31, 2023
“You’re part of the problem,” Swinney replied. “If you want to apply for the job, go for it. And good luck to you… To answer your question, I started as the lowest-paid coach in this business … I worked my a– off. I’m not going to let this smart a– kid get on the phone and tell me how to do my job.
“If you got a problem with that, that’s fine. But I’m not going to sit here and let you call. I don’t give a crap how much money I make. You ain’t gonna talk to me like I’m 12 years old. Gotta be freaking kidding me.”
There’s much more in that five-minute rant, something we’ve grown so accustomed to seeing from the Clemson leader. Swinney touches on past success, most notably those two national title rings, which total more than every other coach in program history combined.
He also mentioned his recent streak of 12 straight 10-win seasons, something in danger of coming to an end in 2023.
Swinney’s resume certainly matches his status as one of college football’s highest paid coaches, but it’s obvious that fans are growing frustrated with the current product.
Much has been made of his lack of activity in the transfer portal, with many believing his inability to adapt has allowed others to leapfrog Clemson in the ACC. Some have been critical of his coaching hires as he’s clearly missing former coordinators Brent Venables and Tony Elliott.
As the losses continue to pile up, Swinney’s comments about how close the Tigers are to replicating past success ring hollow.
Swinney again says his team is good enough to be undefeated.
Swinney was heard earlier this year saying his team was “three plays away from being a Top 5 team.” That came after a close loss to Florida State.
Of course, the Tigers had already lost by three touchdowns to Duke at that point, too, making the statement an easy target of mockery.
Now, he’s doubled down, saying Clemson would be 8-0 if they didn’t beat themselves.
Dabo Swinney: “We’re 4-4 and — no disrespect to the opponents we’ve played — we’ve lost to Clemson four times.” Says team has been “right there” in all four of its losses this season (to Duke, FSU, Miami and NC State). “This team is good enough to be 8-0 right now”
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) October 31, 2023
The Tigers just lost to an NC State team that entered the matchup at 4-3 and on its second QB of the year. Those Wolfpack victories included a 10-point win over a now 1-7 UCONN team, a three-point win over 2-6 Virginia, and a seven-point win over Marshall.
NCSU got up by three scores on Clemson in the second half before the Tigers made the final score closer with 10 fourth quarter points.
This season has been one of the more forgettable for Coach Swinney. He said as much in that now viral call-in show. He also said he’s got “at least 15 years left (coaching).”
For those looking to make their decision about staying on the Clemson bandwagon, know that Swinney’s not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.