The Clemson football program is in a lower-tier weight class than Georgia this year. Following another blowout loss to a top program, college football fans think Dabo Swinney is cooked.
Swinney’s Tigers were titans of the sport when he had Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence under center. However, Lawrence’s final game against Ohio State (a 49-28 Buckeyes win) in the Sugar Bowl might have started Swinney’s downfall at Clemson.
In the previous three seasons, Clemson looked like a Top 25 program at times, but they haven’t looked like a contender for the national title. Last season, the Tigers went 9-4 overall, and 4-4 in the ACC. There were terse moments between Swinney and the media during the season, and there was some speculation he might want to leave the school.
Swinney claims to have had plenty of chances to leave Clemson, but he chose to stay at the program with which he won two national titles.
Clemson football was rocked by Georgia on Saturday
Saturday’s team looks closer to the 2009 and 2023 versions of Clemson than the 2016 and 2018 teams that took the national crown. Georgia dominated Clemson en route to a 34-3 victory in Atlanta.
Per Austin Hannon with 24/7 Sports, Swinney said the loss would be one he wouldn’t forget.
“A loss is a loss. I hate to lose, period, to anybody, anytime, anywhere,” Swinny said. “I hate to lose. We work too hard. So it hurts. It’s going to leave a mark. This will be one I’ll never forget, that’s for sure.”
Does Dabo Swinney plan to make changes to the program?
But will the loss spark a change in how Swinney runs the program?
Swinney refuses to use the transfer portal like other championship contenders. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart doesn’t mind using the portal, and Georgia’s first touchdown came from a transfer.
Swinney said after the loss that people had every right to criticize how he handles the transfer portal after the way Georgia outclassed Clemson. However, he said he wants to build the program to win year in and year out via traditional recruiting.
Swinney said he took credit for the loss.
“Biggest thing, when you get beat like that, that’s on the head coach. That’s on me, so, that’s just complete ownership of just an absolute crap second half. Really disappointed,” Swinney said. “But I’ve done it long enough. Sometimes you get your butt kicked, and we did today. That’s not what we came here to do. But you got to give Georgia credit. We got to move on, we got to learn from it.”
College football fans torch Swinney
Many fans agree with Swinney’s assessment. Following the game, fans criticized Swinney for allowing Clemson to decline in the new era of the NIL.
Dabo Swinney is cooked!!
— J.S. (@JonJ_07) August 31, 2024
Dabo Swinney aka the JD Vance of coaches is getting cooked lmao
— 49ers Gab (@49ersGab) August 31, 2024
Clemson’s “I hate the Transfer Portal”, Dabo Swinney, getting cooked by Kirby Smart and Georgia.
— UCF Sports Info (@UCFSportsInfo) August 31, 2024
Dabo Swinney and Clemson are washed.
— Deakon Dozy-Aye (@Dozier_313) August 31, 2024
Cade Klubnik is garbage and Dabo Swinney is washed up.
— Ron Johnson Enjoyer (@GodKingRoJo) August 31, 2024
“They’re saying I’m washed. You’re durn right I am…washed in the blood of the lamb” pic.twitter.com/lONK0gtqqP
— Matt Scalici (@MattScalici) August 31, 2024
Dabo Swinney after getting blown out by Georgia but doing it his way
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 31, 2024
Dabo Swinney ‘s refusal to use the transfer portal, negative stance toward NIL is on full display today.
The talent Georgia has compared to Clemson is night and day.
Swinney is a VCR stuck in a Blue Ray world.
— Keith Jouganatos (@KeithJouganatos) August 31, 2024
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