Dabo Swinney Refused to Change, and We’re About to Find Out Whether He Was Right
Dabo Swinney has long been one of the most recognizable and successful coaches in college football. Since taking over as head coach of Clemson University’s football team in 2008, Swinney has transformed the program from a promising team into one of the sport’s elite programs. Under his leadership, the Tigers have consistently contended for national championships, winning two College Football Playoff titles in 2016 and 2018. But through all his success, Swinney has remained remarkably steadfast in his approach to coaching, refusing to adopt many of the evolving strategies and tactics that have become staples for other top-tier programs. Instead, he has often doubled down on his traditional methods, holding to his belief that a strong foundation, both on and off the field, is the key to sustained success.
As the college football landscape evolves, Swinney’s refusal to change has drawn increasing scrutiny. The rise of the transfer portal, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, and other modern developments in college sports have forced coaches across the country to adjust. Programs have adopted more aggressive recruiting strategies, with some embracing the new avenues available to stockpile talent quickly. In contrast, Swinney has remained committed to his traditional approach, placing emphasis on developing homegrown talent and fostering a tight-knit team culture. His response to critics has often been clear: “In the meantime, we just keep winning.”
But as the competition in college football continues to intensify, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Swinney’s philosophy will continue to pay off, or if it will ultimately hold Clemson back from reaching its full potential. This question is now more pressing than ever as the future of college football appears to be in flux. With the rise of NIL deals, the transfer portal, and an increasingly competitive recruiting landscape, Swinney’s reluctance to adapt could be tested in the coming years.
Sticking to His Guns: The Dabo Swinney Approach
Dabo Swinney’s approach to coaching is rooted in a combination of loyalty, faith, and an unshakeable belief in building a program the right way. Unlike some of his peers, Swinney has been outspoken about his reluctance to embrace the transfer portal, particularly in its early years. He’s expressed concerns about the instability it could bring to college football, undermining the foundation of team-building and loyalty to a program. Instead, Swinney has championed the idea of building a strong, cohesive team over several years by developing players from within the system. He has focused on recruiting high-character athletes who fit his culture and values, often emphasizing that it’s more important to develop a team chemistry rather than just stacking a roster with immediate talent.
This philosophy has served Clemson well for much of Swinney’s tenure. His first major breakthrough came in 2015, when the Tigers made it to the College Football Playoff National Championship. They would return to the title game the following year, and in 2016, they triumphed over Alabama to secure their first national championship under Swinney. Another title came in 2018, solidifying his legacy as one of the premier coaches in the country. Through it all, Swinney has stuck to his principles, valuing things like program culture, player development, and the idea of building a program that lasts.
However, recent changes in college football have made it more difficult for Swinney’s traditional methods to work as seamlessly as they once did. The introduction of NIL has revolutionized the way players are recruited, with some programs openly courting top-tier talent with significant financial incentives. Meanwhile, the transfer portal has allowed athletes to move freely between schools, creating a sense of instability that has become a defining feature of the sport. Coaches who have embraced these new trends have found success, using them as tools to accelerate their programs’ growth and competitiveness.
Swinney, however, has remained firm in his beliefs. He has expressed discomfort with the idea of NIL deals driving recruitment, maintaining that it should never be about money but rather about the love of the game and the opportunity to develop as a player. He has also continued to avoid placing too much emphasis on the transfer portal, preferring to focus on bringing in high school players and cultivating them into future stars. His philosophy has been built on continuity, stability, and long-term development, and he insists that this model will continue to work, even as other coaches adapt to the new realities of college football.
The Tide May Be Changing
Despite Swinney’s confidence, the changing dynamics of college football could eventually force him to re-evaluate his stance. The College Football Playoff system has become more competitive than ever, with programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State continuing to dominate the recruiting landscape, especially with the newfound advantages of NIL and the transfer portal. Schools that once couldn’t compete with Clemson on the recruiting trail are now able to offer more immediate financial incentives to top recruits, making it more difficult for Swinney to sustain the success he has enjoyed in recent years.
Furthermore, Clemson’s recruiting classes have seen some decline in recent seasons, especially as other programs have capitalized on the new dynamics. Swinney’s refusal to adapt to the transfer portal has become particularly noteworthy, as some of his counterparts have found great success in building rosters through transfers. Programs like Alabama and LSU have been able to secure immediate impact players from the portal, making their teams even more formidable. Clemson, by contrast, has been more conservative in its approach, bringing in fewer transfers, which has raised concerns that the Tigers could be left behind.
Moreover, Swinney’s position on NIL has been scrutinized. While he has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining amateurism in college sports, NIL has fundamentally changed the landscape. Players can now sign deals with companies, brands, and boosters, which has led to a dramatic shift in the way players are recruited and compensated. Swinney’s reluctance to embrace these changes has led some to question whether his model, built on traditional values, can keep up with the financial arms race unfolding in college football.
The Final Test
As the college football world continues to evolve, Dabo Swinney’s coaching philosophy is being put to the ultimate test. His refusal to change, while admirable in many respects, could ultimately be his downfall if Clemson fails to keep pace with the other powerhouses of college football. Swinney’s strength has always been his ability to inspire his players and build a culture of success, but whether this can continue to carry him to national championships in an era where recruiting and roster construction have become increasingly financial and fluid remains to be seen.
In the coming seasons, we’ll find out whether Dabo Swinney was right to trust in his tried-and-true methods or whether his refusal to change will prove to be a hindrance. For now, Clemson remains a powerhouse, but the challenges ahead are more daunting than ever. Swinney’s legacy and the future of Clemson football depend on how he navigates this period of unprecedented change in college athletics.