Even though we aren't playing tomorrow

Jan 19, 2025, 8:55 PM

for a national championship, I will always be proud Clemson is my team, and wouldn't want any other coach than Dabo Swinney. While there are coaches that have won more lately, coach Swinney has done enough, plenty, to prove that he is the best man to lead Clemson football. But this is just my opinion, I realize not everyone sees it the same way.

However, if I could, give some examples of why I personally wouldn't want any other coach leading Clemson football.

1. He unites his team(s) and our fanbase:

In 2015, when Clemson defeated Notre Dame in what many called a "monsoon", it was after a gritty gridiron fight between the Tigers and the Irish in a soggy field battle when the Tigers were victorious when coach Swinney would deliver an epic speech.. "tonight, hey, it was BYOG – Bring Your Own Guts – and they brought some guts and some heart and never quit ’til the last play!” Those were words for the ages, that would forever let us know that Swinney is a unifier of his team, and all Clemson fans.

2. Dabo gives hope to Clemson fans:

In the postgame press conference after the 2015 season, after losing to Alabama in the first semi- final game, Swinney had to take some tough questions and answered them defending the Paw, his team, and the program. "We stand toe to toe with every program in the country, this program doesn't take a back seat to anybody". He also reminded everyone that it had been a long time since Clemson had been on that stage, but.. it wouldn't be that long again before we were back. As we all know, Clemson went on to win it's first national title in over 3 decades under Swinney, and second overall in program history. It was amazing.

3. He fights for Clemson, and his players:

There was no disrespect tolerated by coach Swinney in 2015 (and going forward) when the Tigers were 8-0, and coach Swinney get's asked about past terms of failure being attributed to his team. " I can tell you how they feel about it, they don't like it.. It's a lack of respect. It's not doing your homework and paying attention to what reality is. Should not be asked that question. Period." Next question...

4. He made us believe the impossible:

"The rest of ya'll" or ROY bus was coined by coach Swinney as most know. In 2018, when college football seemed to be Alabama and everybody else, we didn't know at the time that Clemson team would go onto beat (44-16) what the college football "experts" were saying was the best team of all time in Alabama. He spoke for Clemson nation, and basically said "don't count Clemson out" even though his team would soon be up against the mountain of Saban's best team yet. None of us knew what kind of butt whooping Clemson would put on Bama for Clemson's third national title that faithful night in Pasadena, California. It was incredible.

5. Clemson isn't South Carolina, and coach Swinney let em' know:

"That's why Carolina's in Chapel Hill and USC's in California and the University in this state always has been always will be...Clemson." Dabo fires back at Spurrier for his comments about Clemson, put UofSC in their place, letting everyone know his thoughts on the gamecocks, and their football program. Since the time of that comment, Clemson has won 2 national championships under coach Swinney, and the gamecocks have won..well... they have no national championships...

6. There are other things I can list and go in detail about: his fight against breast cancer with his ALL-IN fundraisers, his respect for our military, God, and country. His commitment to making sure his players excel in the classroom, and become the best version of themselves while in the Clemson program. But, you can read about that somewhere else I suppose...

So, while we aren't playing tomorrow for our 4th national championship, and 3rd under coach Swinney, as he's said before "It won't be that long before we're back". I have confidence in that, and confidence in Coach Swinney because it looks as if we are on our way back up the mountain again.

Go Tigers

Message was edited by: WPTigre1®