Two national titles and six consecutive postseason trips serve as Dabo Swinney’s proof that his approach—the Clemson way—is the most effective way to manage a program.
After high school, seek out talented athletes and devoted families, nurture them over time, and help them win games. Many of them—roughly ten or more over a period of twelve years.
That’s how, over the course of the previous 16 seasons, Swinney elevated Little Ol’ Clemson to the status of one of the biggest bullies in college football. This is an initiative based on faith (in the system), and everyone is aware that Swinney’s faith is rarely, if ever, shaken.
But it’s 2023 now. The sport has altered as a result of the transfer portal, enabling teams to stay old, rebuilds to happen practically overnight, and programs to cover natural roster gaps. It takes more than just Deion Sanders to eject roughly fifty strange children from the portal in a single offseason.
It is Michigan’s nine, Florida State’s twelve, or even Alabama’s five.
Afterwards, Clemson selected a backup quarterback in 2023 and a backup cornerback in 2022. That is all. Two guys, two years; only depth moves. With pride, Swinney stated, “We’ve been a developmental program for a long time,” adding that his guys graduate and receive advanced degrees as a result.
He has no intention of changing.
Unless he needs to change, maybe.
Duke defeated Clemson on Monday, 28–7. Thanks to the success mentioned earlier, Swinney can now dismiss it as a typical chaotic work night rather than an indication of a systemic breakdown.
Ultimately, Clemson had never lost 108-0 going into a game when it gained at least 200 yards passing and rushing. It departed with 108-1.
What took place The coach called Monday’s game “incredibly disappointing,” but it was really a “self-implosion” due to three turnovers, two blocked field goals, two unsuccessful fourth-down conversions, some unfortunate circumstances, and a few awful plays.
