Swinney talks parade, replacing Deshaun Watson

Swinney won a national title on Monday night

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Wed Jan 11 21:08:12 GMT-04:00 2017

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has been extremely busy since winning the national title with different media obligations and in attendance at the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards in Houston, Texas. Swinney shared to the press gathering on Tuesday that Clemson had already planned the National Championship parade even before Monday's contest with Alabama.

"I haven't been home yet," Swinney said. "I'm so excited to get back to Clemson tomorrow and get back with the team and just love those guys up. We got a parade this weekend. That is something that I have dreamed about for a long time. We actually planned it before the game because we planned to win. We have our banquet Saturday night and that's going to be an incredibly special night. We really do our banquets right. It's a lot of fun. We honor our seniors. They are all graduates so they will all be moving on. Deshaun is flying out Sunday to California. They all start their training. They got some All-Star games. I can't wait to go to the Senior Bowl to see some of our guys. We got 7 or 8 guys that have been invited to the Senior Bowl. This is just a special group. It's sad to see them go. That's always a really sad thing. I hate when the season ends. My favorite time of the year is the season. It's my most normal. I love the structure. I love the planning. I love the competition. I love practice. I just live being with the guys everyday. Now I got to hit the road and I will be gone recruiting. I like recruiting too, but I like being with the guys. Now it is crazy. You got all kinds of stuff going on. They are ready. That is the one thing I know they are prepared for whatever comes next. If it is to go play ball or go out into the workforce. These guys are going to dominate life because they got the tools they need to be successful."

The part where @ClemsonFB Dabo Swinney says we planned the parade before the title game. #BryantAwards @ahahouston pic.twitter.com/vvXiZwJoyj
— Adam Wexler (@awexlerKPRC) January 12, 2017

Swinney shared some of the qualities that he will be looking for with the next starting quarterback at Clemson that will follow the footsteps of superstar Deshaun Watson.

"Everything counts," Swinney said. "Everything including their off the field, their academics, how they handle themselves, weight room. It starts and truly everything matters. Everything counts. Eventually, we will get back out on the field, early March. I think March 2nd or 3rd we start spring ball and we film everything. We go to work and let them battle it out. It's going to be awesome."

Dabo Swinney on the competition to replace quarterback Deshaun Watson at @ClemsonFB pic.twitter.com/oekWa0Qh6m
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) January 12, 2017