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Dabo Swinney made headlines on Monday with a lengthy rant on his Clemson call-in show. The Tigers head coach ripped into a fan that questioned whether he was deserving of his hefty salary amid a 4-4 start.
Many were torn on whether or not the lashing was justified, but now, there’s a new theory floating around the internet. “Tyler from Spartanburg” was a plant!
The caller seemed to be a young Clemson supporter obviously frustrated with how the season’s gone to this point. Tyler asked coach Swinney if he was worthy of his price tag with the Tigers sitting at .500 and on a two-game losing streak.
In a five-minute rant, the head coach blasted Tyler, saying, “You’re the problem,” subtly calling out a small part of the fanbase that continues to be critical despite the program having posted 12 straight 10-win seasons and a pair of national championships throughout Swinney’s tenure.
It was the perfect opportunity to touch on the national attention the coach has received for both his lack of transfer portal usage and recent hires while also rattling off the great strides the team has made under his leadership.
Maybe a little too perfect…
Many online believe the Clemson caller was actually a plant Dabo Swinney used for a chance to go “Full Metal Jacket” on his critics.
“Have I considered the idea that Tyler from Spartanburg is a Dabo plant designed to allow him to unite the team? Yes. Yes, I have.”
“Floating a theory… Tyler’s a plant. Dabo paid him to call in.”
“Can’t convince me Tyler wasn’t a plant to let Dabo go on one of his ‘impromptu rants.'”
“I heard an interesting conspiracy theory that the caller was a plant to let Dabo riff on the air.”
“I’m curious if it was a plant. Dabo has used these moments to give speeches, ones that are usually designed to speak to shoes who matter – players and recruits, influential alumni, etc.”
Is there any merit to the theory?
Part of me understands that Dabo is frustrated. Part of me also remembers the USC is in California and Carolina is in North Carolina rant that was clearly set up. Could this be another planned Dabo rant? I wouldn’t rule it out. Either way it makes for good conversation.
— Bobby Hartin (@fantalk989) October 31, 2023
Dabo Swinney has been accused by rival fans of this in the past. During press conferences and post-practice interviews, he’ll allow a reporter to ask about a trending criticism of his program only to then give a 10-minute response about why he’s being disrespected.
There was this instance, which many around South Carolina believe was planned.
He seemed to have a lot of those facts about his rival opponent top of mind.
There was also this “Clemsoning” question around the time the phrase gained popularity.
The “bait” always seems to come from someone inside the program, never a national outlet, and in most cases, the rants actually seem to spark some success.
Many found it a bit odd that “Tyler from Spartanburg” was able to continue rambling without interruption about every negative aspect of Swinney’s 2023 season, even after calling the coach arrogant and referencing his faith.
The fact that Dabo let Tyler from Spartanburg finish his entire thought is wild
— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) October 31, 2023
Digging further, some even noted that there’s been a recent change in this very call-in show which now allows fans to ask Swinney questions directly.
“Tiger Calls” had previously only allowed questions to be sent to the head coach via social media outlets rather than through phone calls as a way of screening. It looks like a change was made some time around the 2015-16 season based off of Facebook posts.
It seems Swinney is ready to return to that format with his team just 3-6 against its last nine Power Five foes.
“I had some idiot go Old Testament on me and he got an Old Testament response. Y’all print that one… That’s why most coaches don’t take calls (live).” -Dabo Swinney
Swinney doubled down on his original comments on Tuesday, possible keeping the topic on the minds of Clemson supporters??
Clemson’s streak of double-digit win seasons could end this year, and the Tigers are in danger of their first three-game losing skid since 2010 with Notre Dame coming to town.
We’ll see if they rebound or continue to “lighten the bandwagon.”